Ready Player One
In 2045, people take refuge from dystopian reality in a mega-level video game called the OASIS—where its late, eccentric creator (Mark Rylance) has hidden the secret to inheriting his vast fortune, including the OASIS itself. Two Columbus, Ohio teenagers (Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cook) embark on the virtual-reality quest, which is more real-world dangerous than they know. Director Steven Spielberg is back in fun mode—which may be what he does best, and is certainly what he does better than almost anybody. The script by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline (from Cline’s novel) provides ample fodder for a dazzling display of CGI; a mere mortal would instantly lose control, but not Spielberg—he keeps the action focused on Sheridan and Cook (and their digitized avatars) and the sweet romance blossoming between them.
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