Ready Player One: 5 Things To Be Excited For

pc: Audiobooks.com

In 2011, Ernest Cline wrote his first novel. Now, in 2018, Stephen Spielberg is making it into a movie. Did I mention this is Cline’s first novel? Talk about a big break! I just finished reading Ready Player One and I loved it! Below are five things I am excited for regarding the film adaption.

Quick Plot Summary: The year is 2044 and there has been massive ecological disaster and societal collapse. But, VR technology has expanded into a completely virtual world known as the OASIS; created by genius recluse James Halliday. Those with money can afford to practically live in the OASIS where shops, commerce and all kinds of video game fun exist in interlocked world spheres. If you’re poor, you live in places called the “Stacks” mobile homes stacked like skyscrapers. Then, a video message is released saying James Halliday has died with no surviving heirs to his fortune. It turns out, he left the keys to his fortune in a series of puzzles and clues hidden in the OASIS. Whoever can find the keys and solve the puzzles: inherits his fortune.

Light spoilers ahead for characters and plot details.

1. Diverse Cast of Characters. Cline has assembled a great mix of characters with distinct personalities and motives. Wade Watts, the central protagonist is an eighteen-year-old from the stacks in Columbos, Ohio. He seems your typical orphan with expert computer skills and a personal hideout. What makes Wade interesting is his devoted obsession to Halliday’s love of 80’s pop culture. Searchers for the egg are convinced the clues to the keys rely on a keen knowledge of 80’s pop culture. Wade is 110% obsessed, but it’s the way that informs his decisions that’s interesting. He’s both self-aware and completely immersed. Wade’s friend Aech starts out as the “best friend foil” offering competition and encouragement. I won’t say more about Aech’s character except that there is an exceptional actor playing him (don’t google if you don’t want spoilers). Cline also has a neat way of making the contest international, since over half the world is an OASIS user. Daito and Shoto are an awesome Japanese duo that will provide fantastic opportunities and representation. Not to mention those two know how to fight, search and play the game smart. Also, the character of Art3mis (pronounced Ar-teh-miss) will be one to look out for: strong, female fantasy characters rock!
2. Creative World Building . The idea of a completely online world is not new. We’ve seen it in The Matrix Trilogy, Tron and Minecraft. Cline explains the inner workings of his world without overdoing it or becoming inaccessible through geeky lingo. His prose accurately represents the scope and creative scale of the OASIS. The idea of representing that onscreen is pretty cool. I hope Spielberg’s team works hard to make the worlds feel authentic and not CG backdrops for cookie-cutter action.
3. Engaging questions about humans and technology. This topic is creative fodder. From Blade Runner to Black Mirror we’ve been fascinated by the technology we made that has changed and grown. Wade is obsessed with the quest, it becomes the totality of his life at one point in the book. Can that existence be called a worthwhile one? What if the real world is a mess? Is escape a good option? If each person has the ability to create a unique avatar that doesn’t have to resemble them, can we really “know” someone online? Is it possible to be authentic in a virtual world? Hopefully the movie will bring these questions to light in a fun, nuanced way with the gamer-like flow of the plot.
4. Geeky as hell. The book references plenty of 80’s culture that I didn’t know. But, the trailer reveals The Iron Giant, Lord of the Rings characters and the Back to the Future DeLorean car will make appearances. Not to mention Monty Python and the Holy Grail are a significant plot point in the book. Hopefully, Spielberg gets the rights to include those swell characters. There is also room for plenty of 80’s nostalgia in Pac-Man and Dungeons and Dragons. Given the success of Stranger Thing’s retro aesthetic, this film could be a hit.

That’s all folks! They say the book is always better than the movie, but if you’ve read the book: leave a comment about which parts you’re looking forward to seeing on the big screen. No spoilers please!