Ready Player One (2018)
The movie has its flaws but I'll be damned if I didn't say it was entertaining AF.
Started out with a long narration which I wasn't feeling as I wish Spielberg did more show and less tell. But as soon as you reach the race from the trailers, I WAS ALL IN! The music stops, top-notch sound design kicks in (if you have a home theater, you'll enjoy it more), and you are thrust into chaotic goodness. The way the camera moved alongside the cars with so much happening everywhere was enthralling. Things like these make this movie an enjoyable watch even if you are bothered by other elements.
The feeling of amazement, that Spielberg is known for, is definitely present here as well. As a gamer, I couldn't help but want something like the Oasis throughout the movie. Also, some of the references from pop culture were used in hilarious ways that I was not expecting and I loved it. Probably missed a ton of references, though, gonna have to rewatch it several times.
The cinematography, especially during action sequences, was spectacular. Showing the Oasis in full CGI was a smart decision as it allowed them to do a lot more crazier things and it felt like you're in a video game, and the quality of it was top notch. I enjoyed the soundtrack as well, filled with obvious popular songs from the good old times.
The standout performance in the movie was Ben Mendelsohn, as the main baddy. I enjoyed seeing his performance in every scene he was in.
Where the movie faltered for me was some parts of the story. It felt like the movie was too short for the book it was adapting as I wanted to know and see more of both worlds i.e Real and Video Game one, but you don't get enough of either. Character development also felt like it was rushed, especially the romance. And the movie kinda just ends as well with an end narration.
Also, if you start thinking deeply about how the Oasis works in this world and what not, things do start to fall apart. The technology feels like how magic feels in magic related media, it's definitely treated like that with no clear ground rules and limitations. Also also, the way the gamers are presented certainly felt like Spielberg and his team didn't really know how gamers are, which was kinda disappointing seeing the movie is about a futuristic video game.
All in all, it's an entertaining movie taking you down Nostalgia Lane but also not limited to that as the movie has its own story to tell, which even if it doesn't do a good job of, is still OK enough when combined with everything else you get that you don't feel the shortcomings as strongly as if listed separately. I had a blast while a bit disappointed at the same time as the movie could have been a lot better. One of those movies that you can find faults in the more you look but at the same time they don't stick out that much during watching it, and it's highly rewatchable.
If I had to rate it, I'd give it
7-7.5/10.