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Ready Player One may not be the disaster many people assumed it would be.
It only took minutes after the film screened at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas this weekend for positive reactions to start rolling in. Film critics who managed to get into the screening lauded Spielberg’s technical skills, calling it one of his most accomplished films to date. Even director Robert Rodriguez came out of the film with nothing but astonishment for Spielberg’s achievement.
That sound you’re hearing is the release of bated breath that Ready Player One fans have been holding since the film was first announced. There were concerns that even with Spielberg at the helm, Ready Player One would be ruined — and that was just one sect of the internet. Other critics were concerned that Ready Player One would be nothing more than nostalgia-bait; a sea of cute references without purpose.
Although there were some concerns from a few audience members, Ready Player One seems to be a crowning achievement for Spielberg. Here are some of the best reactions from the premiere:
Positive reactions
Ready Player One is a pop culture extravaganza. A truly one of a kind film that combines video games, tv, movies, music, & action figures into one huge crowd pleasing film. Prepare to be wowed & see this on the biggest screen with the best sound system possible. #ReadyPlayerOne pic.twitter.com/Tj6QuqI9oF
— Scott Menzel @ SXSW (@TheOtherScottM) March 12, 2018
#ReadyPlayerOne is classic Steven Spielberg. It’s got the references, the ferocious effects and the great ‘80s soundtrack, sure, but also the charm, the heart, the humor and a fantastic Alan Silvestri score. I loved it & so did this #SXSW crowd. Be excited for it! pic.twitter.com/xwPOGwXDxd
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) March 12, 2018
#ReadyPlayerOne is the most purely entertaining movie Spielberg has done in a long time, possibly since 'Minority Report.' #SXSW
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) March 12, 2018
Went into READY PLAYER ONE skeptical as hell. Came out largely as a joyous convert. I have a handful of issues with the structure and characters, but it improves on the book in important ways, the action is riveting, and I really bought the humor. #readyplayerone
— Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson) March 12, 2018
What a fantastic love letter to games and pop culture from Mr. Spielberg! An awesome book is now an awesome film! Every gamer should see Ready Player One. Super fun, extremely satisfying and offers a ton of new things even for book readers! #AJsBadAssSealOfApproval
— Joe Vargas (@AngryJoeShow) March 12, 2018
TOTALLY engrossed in every second of @readyplayerone. It is one of the most technically brilliant things I have EVER seen. Spielberg is one of the few directors who could orchestrate this kind of visual symphony that SO many people will enjoy. Pretty amazing.
— Grae Drake (@graedrake) March 12, 2018
Negative reactions
#ReadyPlayerOne posits a corporate big wig who exploits fan culture for profit as its villain. The irony of that is giving me a headache. This is no love letter to pop culture. It’s a crass play to nostalgia; it offers nothing new or exciting.
— Kristy Puchko ➡️ SXSW (@KristyPuchko) March 12, 2018
Genuinely still shifting through my #ReadyPlayerOne feelings but it’s telling that some fanboys have already yelled at me for not coming out of the gate singing its praises. That’s exactly the culture way RP1 attempts to grapple with.
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) March 12, 2018
...the bad narration (a narrative crutch) in intro doesn’t work. Might’ve been in better hands with an indie director who focused on human story & class disparity which is better explored in the book. But there are a ton of references. Overall feels dated. 2/2 #ReadyPlayerOne
— Chris Gore @ SXSW (@ThatChrisGore) March 12, 2018
It sounds like the good qualities mostly outweigh the bad, but you’ll be able to see for yourself in a couple of weeks. Ready Player One hits theaters on March 29.
