First Impressions | Ready Player One

While I’m not familiar with the source novel, I’ve been looking forward to Ready Player One ever since the teaser trailer dropped.  The visuals and narration intrigued me, although I kept my expectations low, to avoid disappointment.  After watching the film, I can honestly report my fears were misplaced, as Ready Player One was an entertaining film.

                Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film is set in Ohio in the year 2045.  Modern problems such as pollution and overpopulation have continued to worsen.  To cope, humans escape into the OASIS, a Virtual Reality Online Game where one can literally be anything or anyone (allowing for a cavalcade of pop culture references that’d overload Seth McFarlane’s CPU).  Many also attempt to complete Anorak’s Quest, a contest the game’s creator James Halliday (Mark Rylance) set up following his death.  Whoever completes the quest gains control of the OASIS.  Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) is one such individual, playing under the name Parzival.  One day following an unsuccessful race, Wade manages to figure out how to pass the first trial.  He does so, becoming an OASIS celebrity overnight.  This fame comes with a price, as he becomes a target of IOI, a gaming company that wishes to control and exploit the OASIS (think a dystopian version of World of Warcraft’s subscription policy).  With the aid of his friends Art3mis (Olivia Cooke), Aech (Lena Waithe), Sho (Philip Zhao) and Daito (Win Morisaki) Wade must complete the Quest and gain control of the OASIS first, while avoiding IOI in both the real and virtual worlds.

                Being an avid video gamer and LARPer, I can’t help but love the film’s concept, as it combines the virtual nature of the former with the character creation and immersion of the latter.  Its take on the hero’s quest is also engaging.  While it begins humbly, real world stakes soon emerge.  If IOI wins, Halliday’s dream fails and the OASIS becomes a pay-to-play VRRPG.  IOI also engage in shady real-world tactics, which I will address later. 

                While not Spielberg’s best effort—I still prefer Jaws, Last Crusade and his Jurassic Park duology—the Oscar winner brings his A-game to this film.  While Spielberg has made some questionable personal choices—research the making of Poltergeist—his choice to direct this film is not one of them.  His directing choices were sensible, allowing the film’s individual pieces to blend seamlessly. 

                Having worked with Spielberg on many of his previous films, Januz Kaminski was the obvious choice for cinematographer, and he did an excellent job.  His work is beautiful, and he gave both worlds their own distinct feel.  While not muted, the real world doesn’t feel as vibrant as the OASIS, which considering its escapist purpose is the point.  While I am not an enthusiastic fan of CGI spam (Even though Motion Capture has been wearing me down somewhat) here it was rendered properly.  While the characters don’t appear as real as Ceaser or Gollum, they’re rendered the correct amount for online Avatars. 

                Alan Silvestri composed the score.  Considering the film’s pop culture spam, who better to hire than the man who composed the scores for Predator, Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.  While I don’t find myself humming the cues quite yet, Silvestri’s notes served their auditory storytelling purpose.  In addition to Silvestri’s score, the film makes perfect use of 70’s and 80’s music, although I personally recognized two songs; of the two, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” was timed perfectly.

                I’m of two minds when it comes to the characters.  On one hand, I sympathized with the protagonists and hated IOI and its CEO.  On the other hand, there was not much character development, and what little exists comes from Wade and Art3mis.  Wade is an orphan who lives with his Aunt, and suffers loss once IOI figures out his real identity.  Art3mis’s backstory is tied in with IOI and their illegal activities, which gives her a personal stake in the OASIS from Act 1.  The two also fall in love.  While a predictable plot point, the two actors have a subtle chemistry, and I identify with Wade’s side of the romance.  Halliday does have some development as the characters progress through the Quest, but I classify it under backstory.  Other than that, there’s nothing.  While lack of development does not bother me if the story is engaging and entraining, it’s wrong not to note it, and based on other reviews I’m not the only one to notice.

                For the story, IOI are decent enough villains.  While the evil corporation has been done to death to the point of becoming an archetype, I’m of the opinion that archetypes themselves are not bad; it all depends on the execution.  While no Shinra or Umbrella, IOI works for the portrayed world.  This comes down to two factors:  Ben Mendelsohn’s performance and IOI’s illegal activities.  Ben is one of those actors that’s always great to see on screen, and he plays his parts with conviction.  Like Rogue One, the audience can’t help but hate his smugness, and once he gets his comeuppance in the third act, we grin. 

As for the company’s activities, they buy out an individual’s debt, forcing them to work until it’s either paid off or they die; without giving spoilers, this is where the Art3mis connection comes into play.  While bad form, this part had me slightly raising an eyebrow.  The film didn’t give any indication that any major legal changes have arisen in the United States, so IOI would be violating the 13^th Amendment; even if one’s debt is purchased, the purchaser cannot compel you to work for them.  While a head-scratcher, considering IOI’s other shady actions (espionage and murder) I don’t think they’ll let an Amendment get in their way.   It wouldn’t be the first time someone ignored thirteen. 

                While it would be fun to list off every single pop culture reference the film makes, that would drag this review out.  Instead, I’ll briefly list off a few:  Star Wars, King Kong, Godzilla, Gundam, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, Overwatch, Halo, Stephen King, and 80’s Slasher Flicks.  It’s a nerd’s paradise.

                While flawed when it comes to character development, Ready Player One is an entertaining film with its heart in the right place.  Definitely worth one watch, especially if one is a fan of 80’s and video game pop culture.  

Theater Experience | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990

                As a child of the 90’s, the words Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are sacred to me, oozing nostalgia and fondness.  When I heard that the Frida Cinema was holding a screening of the 1990 live-action film, I knew that had to attend.  While some might find it weird to drive over thirty-miles just to see an older film, we cinephiles know better.  It’s not the distance, it’s the moment.  Besides, it’s no different than driving long-distance to see a band or attend a convention.  From where I live, at least Frida is a shorter round trip (sixtyish-miles compared to the One-hundred and sixty for New Beverly).

                Nostalgic Nebula hosted the event.  Before attending I hadn’t heard of them, but after this I’ll have to check their site every now and then for more showings.  The coordinators and host did an excellent job.  The Foot Clan Merchandise was cool—the headband completes my cosplay—and the Lord Krang video was unexpected but pleasant.  Havin a band play a medley of the theme was the perfect way to set the evenings mood.  Bonus points for the use of a keytar. John Du Prez was a treat to listen to.  Having not researched his career before this, most of his stories were new.  His Golden Harvest story I found the most interesting, as it gave an insiders perspective on why the series began to decline (short summary: cheap bastards).  I had only one question—will the complete score ever be released--but I didn’t need to ask, as John volunteered the answer during one story.  Once it’s released, hopefully I’ll be able to track down a copy.

                The audience was lively.  While not many shouted out lines, enough did to liven the mood.  Every now and then a pair in front of me conversed mildly about what was occurring on screen, but it didn’t bother me; the talk was topical, and in good fun.  While not at the same level as the crowds I watched The Blob or Pulp Fiction with (hard to be close when those were sell-outs), it was infinitely better than Kill Bill Volume 1.

                As for the film itself, it’s still one of my favorite comic book films and the best film in the series.  Some might say nostalgia’s blinding me with that, but even with an adult mind I can back up my reasons.  However, to paraphrase Master Splinter, that must wait.  The only analysis I’ll give here is that with this viewing it was obvious where certain deleted scenes were cut and how other moments were rearranged in the editing room.  Hopefully I’m not alone, but in addition to a North American special edition, I’d love to see an extended cut.  Shout Factory, work on this please.  I want my angry Mikey arc, damn it!