Few filmmakers have had as much of an impact on pop culture as Steven Spielberg. Most directors are lucky to make one movie that taps into the cultural zeitgeist and becomes a staple of the collective subconscious. By my count, Spielberg has made a whopping seven- Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan. When you say the words "film director," Spielberg comes to mind. In the minds of many, Spielberg practically is the film industry. So when it was revealed that he would be directing Ready Player One, the response was a mix of weariness and delight. On one hand, the novel by Ernest Cline is said to lean heavily on Spielberg nostalgia, and while the director has committed to not referencing his own work, it still seemed risky. But on the other hand, nobody makes blockbuster entertainment quite like Spielberg. He hasn't really done a truly innovative sci-fi project like this since the early 2000s, and Ready Player One is said to be pushing the limits of virtual reality technology. A futuristic fantasy about the world's most popular video game and a series of clues left behind by its eccentric creator, this movie really could be a game-changer. I've been intrigued since the project's announcement, and yesterday at Comic-Con, we were treated to the first trailer- watch it below!
Ready Player One is a project that has been in development for a long time, as Ernest Cline's 2011 novel became an instant hit. I even remember a time when it was rumored that Warner Bros. was going to have Christopher Nolan direct this film as his next endeavor after Interstellar. But my excitement was truly piqued when Spielberg joined the project, as Deadline's breaking announcement report seemed to indicate that we would be getting something truly revolutionary with this film. The news site positioned Ready Player One as the biggest breakthrough in cinematic special effects in decades, and the idea of Spielberg messing around with virtual reality technology to tell a reference-heavy story was thrilling to me. Rumors that the director approached the late Gene Wilder to appear in what is essentially a video game riff on Willy Wonka enticed me even further, giving me an interesting idea as to what the tone of this project would be. And the final cast list didn't hurt matters- Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, T.J. Miller, Ben Mendelsohn, Simon Pegg, Lena Waithe, Hannah John-Kamen, and of course, Mark Rylance.
Going into yesterday's trailer reveal, this was undoubtedly one of my most anticipated films of 2018, if not the movie that actually topped the list. After watching this quick glimpse at footage......I can't say I'm entirely sold. There are moments that seem to capture Spielberg's distinct sense of childlike whimsy, but I can't entirely shake the feeling that this isn't going to be the movie that I want- the racing scene of utter chaos and destruction at the end did nothing to increase my excitement. The first half of the trailer is superior to the second half, and I love that they have "Pure Imagination" as the main musical cue. This trailer looks good, but I want more than good. I would be looking forward to this project regardless of who's directing it. This is just a cool concept with the potential for some groundbreaking effects.
But this is Spielberg. And I want him to make another pop masterpiece. After years of stodgy (although very strong) biopics and ambitiously misguided efforts, I want him to make a film that becomes as iconic as Jaws and E.T. and Jurassic Park and all of those other movies that have become a part of our cultural lexicon. I want Ready Player One to be his middle finger to the system, the movie that proves he's still one of the greats of blockbuster filmmaking. I want him to be capable of a movie like this. The trailer does a good job of compelling the viewer, but not selling the actual story. Although I think this film looks impressive, but can it transcend the visuals to become something else entirely? We shall see.
Ready Player One hits theaters on March 30, 2018.
Image: IMDB/WB
Ready Player One is a project that has been in development for a long time, as Ernest Cline's 2011 novel became an instant hit. I even remember a time when it was rumored that Warner Bros. was going to have Christopher Nolan direct this film as his next endeavor after Interstellar. But my excitement was truly piqued when Spielberg joined the project, as Deadline's breaking announcement report seemed to indicate that we would be getting something truly revolutionary with this film. The news site positioned Ready Player One as the biggest breakthrough in cinematic special effects in decades, and the idea of Spielberg messing around with virtual reality technology to tell a reference-heavy story was thrilling to me. Rumors that the director approached the late Gene Wilder to appear in what is essentially a video game riff on Willy Wonka enticed me even further, giving me an interesting idea as to what the tone of this project would be. And the final cast list didn't hurt matters- Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, T.J. Miller, Ben Mendelsohn, Simon Pegg, Lena Waithe, Hannah John-Kamen, and of course, Mark Rylance.
Going into yesterday's trailer reveal, this was undoubtedly one of my most anticipated films of 2018, if not the movie that actually topped the list. After watching this quick glimpse at footage......I can't say I'm entirely sold. There are moments that seem to capture Spielberg's distinct sense of childlike whimsy, but I can't entirely shake the feeling that this isn't going to be the movie that I want- the racing scene of utter chaos and destruction at the end did nothing to increase my excitement. The first half of the trailer is superior to the second half, and I love that they have "Pure Imagination" as the main musical cue. This trailer looks good, but I want more than good. I would be looking forward to this project regardless of who's directing it. This is just a cool concept with the potential for some groundbreaking effects.
But this is Spielberg. And I want him to make another pop masterpiece. After years of stodgy (although very strong) biopics and ambitiously misguided efforts, I want him to make a film that becomes as iconic as Jaws and E.T. and Jurassic Park and all of those other movies that have become a part of our cultural lexicon. I want Ready Player One to be his middle finger to the system, the movie that proves he's still one of the greats of blockbuster filmmaking. I want him to be capable of a movie like this. The trailer does a good job of compelling the viewer, but not selling the actual story. Although I think this film looks impressive, but can it transcend the visuals to become something else entirely? We shall see.
Ready Player One hits theaters on March 30, 2018.
Image: IMDB/WB
Comments
Post a Comment