I have never seen a movie that’s filled with so much pop culture reference such as Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.”
The VFX-heavy movie has so much easter eggs that anyone who grew up during the 80s and 90s will absolutely go nuts. In fact, as we were watching the movie there were shrieks of excitement each time something appears on the screen.
There was one scene involving race cars that got the viewers riled up. There was Jurassic Park’s T-Rex, King Kong, and other familiar characters. It was a fun homage to pop culture and only someone with Spielberg’s caliber can pull it off.
Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) is an orphan teenager living in the Stacks–a shanty-like community filled with campervans vertically stacked with each other in Columbus, Ohio in 2045.
The world was not a good place to live in and people only get to feel good when thet escape to a virtual reality world called The Oasis.
Created by James Halliday (Mark Rylance), the Oasis is a place where everyone escapes; it’s where all fantasies become reality. Dead for some years already, Halliday has designed a game where the winner gets to inherit the virtual realm. And the way to do that is to find three keys hidden in different parts of the realm. But getting them is not going to be easy and players will need wit, grit and resilience to go far. It doesn’t help that a corporation called IOI is out to take control of the Oasis. Led by CEO Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelson), who will stop at nothing, IOI will make things difficult for Watts and his friends.
The race for the keys will be one awesome roller coaster ride for Watts and the rest of his crew.
“Ready Player One” is more than a sci-fi movie. In between its impressive adrenaline-pumped SFX scenes are touching storylines that audiences can relate to, from friendships to young love and fighting for what’s right.
Spielberg was also able to send out a strong message that rings true to today’s society. The Oasis represents a make-believe world–the only place where people can feel alive. It is here where the people of Columbus, Ohio can live the life they want, where they can find joy.
It gives us a glimpse of what could happen in the not so distant future.
“Ready Player One” is a visual treat. The great thing about it is despite it being heavy on computer-generated visuals it doesn’t lose its heart. Even with all the action, the story has an emotional depth which hooks the audience.
The transition from the real world to the Oasis is also seamless. And we have Spielberg’s genius to thank for this wonderful cinematic treat.
Photo credits: Warner Bros. Pictures
