Ready Player One Review: A True Cinematic Adventure

If there is one name that has defined blockbuster movies it would be none other than Steven Spielberg. Although the acclaimed filmmaker is prominent in a array of genres it is in the likes of adventure films where Spielberg's influence is so pivotal. His latest film not only sees Spielberg return to the genre but  also celebrate the very idea behind fandoms. This movie is none other than Ready Player One. The new adventure film is based on the novel by Ernest Cline which centers on the idea of virtual reality while being an ode to pop culture. I cannot deny that I was looking forward to this one as the movie’s concept is right up my ally. After watching this sci-fi adventure I must that admit, and I do not say this likely, that Ready Player One is perhaps one of Spielberg’s best films in quite some time.

Ready Player One centers on Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) who travels the virtual world known as the Oasis in order to find the Easter Egg left by the Oasis’creator James Halliday (Mark Rylance). In every aspect the plot to Ready Player One was an adventure. The plot does rely on elements and traits that are all too familiar to the adventure genre (not to mention a Spielberg blockbuster) but it all came down to how the movie utilized these elements-and Ready Player One certainly used these aspects to their highest caliber. Along with its sense of adventure the plot also featured strong themes and morals that grounded this out of this world tale. The ideas that surrounded the story were thoroughly executed and gave  a sense of complexity to this adventurous story. This was notable in the story of James Halliday which I found to be just as investing as the main journey. Another addition to the plot was its worldbuilding ability as both the Oasis and the Real World were plot elements rich with substance and creativity.  While some details, particularly getting into the third act, could be unclear it hardly affected the story’s presentation as I found myself invested in this adventure from beginning to end.

The BFG Review: Big Adventure is Charming and Creative

If there is one filmmaker who has helped to define the term movie magic it would have to be Stephen Spielberg. For years Spielberg has brought some of the biggest films to life from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Jurassic Park. It has come to the point where the director's reputation has helped to define the term blockbuster. So what happens when this acclaimed filmmaker collaborates with Walt Disney Pictures for the very first time in his career?  Evidently you get the film known as The BFG. This new fantasy adventure is not your typical blockbuster as it comes from the 1982 novel by Roald Dahl; the author behind stories like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So when you have the creativity of Roald Dahl being adapted by the likes of Stephen Spielberg, there is no doubt that there could be enormous possibilities for the blockbuster. Yet is The BFG a worthy adaption to the Dahl's novel, or does this big time adventure get cut down to size?

The story of The BFG follows a young girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill). One night when roaming the halls of the orphanage, Sophie sees a massive creature roaming the streets. It turns out this creature is a giant that goes by the name the Big Friendly Giant; which Sophie renames BFG (Mark Rylance). Once being seen BFG takes Sophie to his home where the two unlikely misfits form a friendship. However trouble finds the duo when a band of giants led by the Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) wreck havoc in both giant country and England. So to stop these massive bullies, Sophie and BFG come up with a plan to get rid of the gang and it involves getting help from the Queen of England (Penelope Wilton).