Ready Player One [Blu-ray] [2018]

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this is a film version of a bestselling book by writer Ernest Cline.For the uninitiated:The year is 2045. The world is going down the tubes. The rich have gotten richer and the poor are getting poorer. So most escape reality by getting into a huge virtual reality system called the OASIS, where you can be whoever you want or do whatever you want. The OASIS was created by eccentric genius James Halliday. When he died, he willed his fortune to the first person who can find something hidden in the OASIS. There are clues you have to crack to get to it.A young man called Wade Watts is obsessed with doing that. He has an online friend called H. And when he cracks a vital clue, the hunt is on. Can he get to the prize before a certain ruthless businessman does?For those who have read the book: the film version does get the gist of it onto the screen, but you will find it has made changes in order to make it work as a movie. So you can either throw a hissy fit about that, or just view this as a companion to the novel. And since Ernest Cline who wrote the book co wrote the screenplay he probably doesn't mind. So neither should you.Virtual reality worlds filled with pop culture references and characters are something that computer technology can now create on the screen. Remember - if you were seeing it at the cinema back in the 70's - how you reacted to the visuals in Star Wars episode four?. The visuals in here should get you the same way. Because you really have seen nothing like this before. It brings all the worlds and characters to life in stunning detail.But it's not just about pop culture. It doesn't exist purely to showcase such things. At heart, this has a proper story, with likeable heroic characters to drive it along and make you care about them. It's like many films from Spielberg's amblin entertainment. Good old fashioned exciting escapist adventure with a heart to it. Because you will get caught up in this and be rooting for the heroes all the way.And it has a moral to the story as well. Which the end does make clear. Never in a lecturing way.Visually stunning and emotionally involving, it's a delightful escapist ride of cinema magic, and it's not bad as an adaptation either. It's well worth five stars as a film.And regarding that moral, don't be like four people who were in the cinema with me when I saw it there and who turned their phones on the moment the credits rolled. They clearly weren't paying attention, were they?The dvd has the following language and subtitle options:Languages: English, Castilian Spanish. English audio captioned,.Subtitles: English, Castilian Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Greek, Norwegian, Swedish.The disc comes with the usual flyer with a code for downloading a copy of the film onto a digital device.The disc goes straight into the main menu when loaded with no ads or trailers to get through.The only extra is a five minute long featurette: The 80's: you're the inspiration. A quick overview of the film and the decade that it got lots from. As usual with such things it's interesting viewing but a bit too brief.

Considering I knew nothing about this book or film until all the pre-release hype started, I'm surprised to say I whole heartedly recommend this film.There's something in here for a number of age ranges: younger viewers will be wowed by the obligatory action sequences and impressive digital effects, whilst older viewers (well those who were kids circa the time of the first Star Wars) will be playing spot all the pop culture references the film is littered with. It's actually worth watching more than once to see how much you missed, as there are LOTS of background details and characters in scenes that are from other games, tv shows, films, the list is endless. The attention to detail which has been lavished on this film shows and it's clearly something which was close to Spielberg's heart when he made it. For example, when the two main characters have to shoot their way out of the night club, her weapon is a marine's bolt gun from Aliens, and his is a laser pistol from Battlestar Galactica. (I warned you about the detail!)The plot of the film is actually surprisingly good too, which is unusual for some of these blockbusters nowadays - some nice twists as the characters follow the trail of breadcrumbs trying to solve the clues.WARNING for those with small kids though (and this part contains spoilers!) Part of the crumb trail involves classic films and in particular at one point the characters enter a reconstruction of the horror film The Shining, including several of the seminal scenes from the movie. Small children and people who don't do horror may be disturbed by this part as it features some creepy moments, and in particular the horrific moment where the woman comes out of the shower before transforming into some sort of zombie hag will make you uncomfortable. I would recommend that an adult should check this out first before letting anyone under say 12 view it, just to be on the safe side,All in all though, this is a very good film. Lots of action, a good story with some pathos and drama, throw in the odd bit of humour too and it's something which could well become a cult movie in years to come. Recommended.

A guilty pleasure. I love this type of movie, I love gaming too so it's a must have. Great addition to movie collection

I'm aware this film did incredibly well, but I've still seen a few slate it on its portrayal of 'nerd culture' and such, similar to the abysmal 'Big Bang Theory'. I have to say, understanding most of the references in this film, I didn't get that all. The production and writing team did a phenomonal job getting the licenses they could for several book/film/game franchises present in the original source material - and newer stuff where they couldn't, or to give it a more modern feel. Some of this stuff will date the film in years to come. Some of it will remain forever timeless. The cinematography is great - visually this film is epic. The story is great and bound to tickle at least one g-spot of any geek/nerd. There are faithful, loving homages to age-old games and staples in game history present here. Not just throwaway gags to classics for the sake of money and cheap humour. Well-loved inspirations.I really enjoyed the characters, and the soundtrack was also suitably 70s/80s. All in all, it's a really neat family film with its own unique twist in my opinion. It easily stands up to repeated viewing and you'd have to be pretty miserable to find it tasteless or unenjoyable.