Review: Ready Player One

IMDB Rating: 7.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 74/100

Adventure Score: 90/100

BASIC BREAKDOWN: In 2045, Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) finds himself to be at his best in OSIRIS, a virtual gaming world where you can be anyone and do just about anything except sleep and use the restroom. When the creator of OSIRIS dies and leaves an Easter Egg hidden deep in the world, he attempts to solve the puzzles that lead to the easter egg, all while racing an evil corporation to the egg and learning who to trust and who not to.

HOW WE GOT OUR SCORE: Steven Spielberg does an amazing job of blending mesmerizing visuals with an entertaining form of storytelling that reminds us why he is the mastermind behind some of our favorite childhood films. "Ready Player One" is a fast-paced and exciting bit of originality infused with a high dose of pop culture nostalgia. We get Iron Giant. We get Battletoads. Hell, we even get "fucking Chucky" in a film sure to please everyone from a pop culture dummy to the more seasoned vet who can catch all of the deep cuts (of which, there are many). The film boasts a fun 1980's pop soundtrack while also being scored by Alan Silvestri, the genius behind the "Back to the Future" score.

HIGHLIGHT MOMENT: In a film with a giant bag to pull from, my favorite sequence is the first race. You not only get to see the DeLorean in action, but you also get some other great movie nods and an exciting course of action even the "Fast and The Furious" movies don't bring you.

OVERALL: With my only knock on the film being it may have ran 10 minutes long, it's not quite fair as I never wanted this geek-gasm of a film to end. In an era where we are experiencing death by over-exposure to digital effects and CGI, this film is almost entirely just that, CGI. And it works in an amazing way. It never takes itself seriously because it knows what it is: an homage to the games, shows, music, and movies we love and an appreciation of the art of filmmaking. I not only recommend seeing this in IMAX, but watching all the films it references and owning this on blu-ray first chance you get. It offers plenty of quotes and nods to keep you and your friends talking over a milkshake and a slice of pie.