Please keep in mind, I’ve never read the book. But I talked to a few people after the movie who had, and they advised that there were some things missing, but the movie kept the heart of the book. For those hoping the movie follows the book, keep that in mind.
So, the real question is being: “you ready to play?” Well, let’s jump in!
This movie was amazing! I never thought I would see so many video game characters, Anime characters, and other movie characters in one movie. The visual of the Oasis was so beautiful that at some point in the movie you would want to be in this world.
This movie takes place in the year 2045 and the plot is straightforward. When the creator of the VR world Oasis, James Donovan Halliday (Mark Rylance), dies, he releases a video. In it, he challenges everyone in the oasis to find his Easter Eggs. Whoever finds the Easter eggs will be rewarded Halliday’s fortune and full control of the Oasis.
We get a small, brief intro of our hero, Wade Watts, aka “Parzival” (Tye Sheridan). He and his online friends are battling to find these Easter Eggs before Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn), who runs a giant corporate company called Innovative Online Industries (IOI). IOI is a global telecommunication conglomerate and the world’s largest service provider. A large portion of IOI’s business centers around providing access to the Oasis and on selling goods and services inside it. Sorrento pretty much wants to have microtransactions all over the Oasis to the point where your vision while playing will be filled with nothing but microtransactions. You know, like an Activision wet dream. Also, there are online tiers of service. You know, like what Ajit Pai is trying to do now with the internet. But that’s something else.
(Ed. Note: are we sure Pai and EA VP Patrick Söderlund didn’t write this while smoking after sex, Punisher? Just wondering. Back to the arts!)
I really enjoyed the movie. I could not stop talking about it. But like every good movie, there are some parts that don’t hold up. In this movie, there are moments where you now look back and think “wait, what?” Also, fair warning, there is a moment in the movie where you will cringe. Like what the fuck will you say that cringe. I really don’t want to say anything, but you will notice it. And when you do, I would love to talk about it.
But the funny thing is that even with the minor flaws, the movie finds a way to keep going. You just forget about it and focus on the main story.
Overall, this movie was amazing to me. Even the music was awesome!!! Oh my God, the nostalgia in this movie is through the roof! (Ed. Note: MEMBERBERRIES!) I never thought in a million years I would see the Battletoads on the big screen alongside others.
I’m giving this movie a solid 9 out of 10. Again, I never read the book, and there were some small parts of the movie where I was left wondering. But if you can see past that, then you won’t have a problem. It was fun and kept you on your toes and you got to feel for the hero of this story. I’m giving this movie a Punisher seal of approval and recommend you go and see it!
If you see this movie and feel I left something out – or want to talk about it – please feel free to leave me a comment below. And as always, I hope to see you in the movies!
