Predominantly CGI, what it lacks in character development it more than makes up for in its upbeat, action-packed energy.
Unexpectedly immersive, Spielberg lets his avatars play their quest to find the egg hidden in the reality game – and stop Ben Mendelssohn from creating a gaming monopoly in the real world.
It’s a visual spectacle, with enough grunge reality to provide respite as Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke find adventure and love. True, Spielberg avoids commentary on the darker elements of a world controlled by technocracy, but as a piece of escapist entertainment, there’s little faulting Ready Player One.
Nominated for best special effects Oscar in 2019.
Rating: 66%
Director: Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Writer: Zak Penn (The Avengers, The Incredible Hulk), Ernest Cline (Fanboys) – based on the novel by Ernest Cline
Main cast: Tye Sheridan (Mud, X-Men Apocalypse), Olivia Cooke (Me & Earl & the Dying Girl, The Limehouse Golem), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One – A Star Wars Story, Darkest Hour)
An Opinion or Two 
One thought on “‘Ready Player One’”