BONUS REVIEW: A Quick Look Back at 2018's "Ready Player One"
- Matt Palmer
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
Initial release date: March 29, 2018
Streaming services: HBO Max/various PVOD services (as of right now)
Plot: In 2024 the planet is on the brink of chaos and collapse, but people find salvation in the OASIS: an expansive VR universe created by eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he promises his immense fortune to the first person to discover a digital Easter egg that's hidden somewhere in the OASIS. When young Wade Watts joins the contest, he finds himself becoming an unlikely hero in a reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical world of mystery, discovery and danger.
MPA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, bloody images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language (runtime 140 minutes)
Audiences generally view Ready Player One as a fun, visually spectacular "popcorn flick," though opinions remain decided. Viewers widely praised the incredible CGI, nostalgic Easter eggs, and high-octane action sequences, but criticize the shallow character development and weak dialogue. And, after revisiting the movie for the first time since initially reviewing it back in 2018, I still think Ready Player One is still a really fun watch.
I really enjoy the inclusion of beloved characters, vehicles and items from the 1980, 1990s and even the early 2000s. The integration of numerous icons, like the Back to the Future DeLorean, The Iron Giant, King Kong, Minecraft and so much more can easily keep any viewer engaged. There's a mid-movie sequence taking place inside Stanley Kubrick's The Shining that's probably one of the best sequences in this movie as it delivers both some great humor and an unforgettable horror-themed level of the OASIS.
The depiction of the virtual world features a lot of vibrant colors, imagination and a sense of endless technological possibility. Since the movie takes place primarily inside a video game, the heavy CGI looks really great and still holds up. The high-stakes, gravity-defying race through a shifting city during the opening race is also one of the best parts of the movie as well!
Ready Player One also does a great job channeling the high-energy, fun spirit of Spielberg's classic 1980s adventure movies. It also has a good amount of light-hearted comedy that can easily give you a good chuckle.
The overall response to this 2018 movie is largely divided into two camps: it's celebrated as a visually stunning, crowd-pleasing spectacle, but criticized for lacking deep emotional or narrative substance. Critics and audiences agree that its creative action sequences and pop culture Easter eggs make it highly entertaining, even if its characters can feel a little flat sometimes.
Despite mixed reactions, the movie was a massive commercial success. It grossed over $607 million worldwide against a production budget of roughly $150-175 million. It also earned quite a few accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. A rumored sequel has been slowly in development since the movie's initial release.
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