With Ready Player One, director Steven Spielberg brings to cinemas a film that shows how gaming is embedded in society in the future and how this affects it. Numerous references to video games like Halo and Overwatch are not to be missed.
Ready Player One takes place in 2045. For many people, the virtual world of OASIS has become a better place than the dark and desolate reality.
Teenager Wade Watts (played by Tye Sheridan) spends most of his time as “Parzival” in this virtual world. When the inventor of OASIS dies, everyone tries to find an “Easter Egg” that he hid before his death. Whoever finds the Easter Egg inherits OASIS and the entire fortune of the inventor. Wade also sets out on the search…
The story is based on the novel of the same name by Ernest Cline.
The film premieres in this country on April 5. It contains plenty of references to current online games, such as the Spartan soldiers from the Halo series or Tracer from Overwatch. Members of the press have already had the chance to see the film and are starting to post initial reviews online. We provide you with an overview.
The reviews of the film at a glance – Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes
The current reviews of Ready Player One present a mixed picture. Some critics consider the film at best average, while others think it is a groundbreaking visual spectacle:
- We Got This Covered: 6/20
- The Playlist: B
- Flixist.com: 5/10
- IGN Movies: 7.5/10
- Den of Geek: 4/5
- We Live Entertainment: 8.5/10
- ScreenCrush: 3/10
- Guardian: 2/5
- Consequence of Sound: C-
- Slashfilm: 7/10
- IndieWire: B+
- Austin American Statesman: A-
- Dread Central: 1.5/5
On Metacritic, Ready Player One currently has a score of 65. The Tomatometer shows 76% on Rotten Tomatoes (March 13, 1:15 PM).
Some voices from the reviews
Indie Wire
“Ready Player One” is one of the cleverest excuses to play with wild special effects (…). It is an unconventional attempt to summarize the past 30 years of pop culture through one of its greatest architects in a film. Without seeing the film, it is hard to imagine anyone could make this endeavor a satisfying experience. In the end, it is clear that only Steven Spielberg can do this. After all, “Ready Player One” is exactly what makes it admirable: a major commercial entertainment that culminates in a unique blockbuster chaos.
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on IndieWire.
We Live Entertainment
“A groundbreaking visual spectacle that combines all kinds of media and presents it in a film that you must see!”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on We Live Entertainment.
The Daily Beast
“Without a doubt, it is the most entertaining film that Spielberg has made since Catch Me If You Can.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on The Daily Beast.
Vanity Fair
“A heart beats in films like The Goonies, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark and others, but in Ready Player One, viewers find a shining, digital Easter Egg… for many, that will be enough.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on Vanity Fair .
Roger Ebert.com
“When you watch Ready Player One, it almost feels like the director is sitting right next to you, laughing, excited, and eating his popcorn. And you definitely need popcorn for this film.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on RogerEbert .
IGN Movies
“Although it is not particularly emotional, and I was disappointed with how many questions remained unanswered due to its superficial visits to the real world, it is still a lot of fun.”
Variety
“It is a complete and occasionally hypnotic film. Yet, it feels like one is more occupied with the film than being emotionally invested in it.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on Variety.
The Guardian
“A flashy adaptation of the book, full of pop culture references and impressive effects, but offers a thin story with few profound characters.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on The Guardian.
Dread Central
“Even the abundance of pop culture references cannot save Ready Player One from its own mediocrity.”
Read the whole review of Ready Player One on The Guardian.
