At first glance, the film, Ready Player One sounds exactly like every other virtual reality movie. The film’s poster gives the impression that the plot is yet another dry story where the protagonist becomes trapped in a virtual world, and only has a specific number of lives before he or she dies in both worlds. Wait, doesn’t this sound like Spy Kids 3: Game Over? Fortunately, Ready Player One is far from the norm.

First off, let’s address the fact that the film contains a plethora of comedic moments, and who doesn’t love those?

One such moment arrives when the villains are immersed in the digital world of the OASIS, and getting battered by a ragged old woman with a knife. Since they are only being attacked in the digital world, the actual humans don’t really get hurt. In actuality, people are screaming, clawing at the open air, and falling out of their chair stations in fright. It’s a full minute of nothing but pure comedy gold.

Another humorous part of the film shows the strong bond between 2 best friends. As the main character of the film, Wade Watts is nervously trying on different outfits before he meets up with a girl, known only as Art3mis, the film drops a hilarious quote, courtesy of Watts’ best friend, Aech.

As Watts is nervously trying on the outfits, Aech says, “By hacking your heart, she’s hacked your brain!”

After Watts arrives at a club to meet Art3mis, another comedic moment presents itself when Art3mis and Watts share a dance in a large air vacuum. Watts looks into Art3mis’ eyes, and dreamily says, “I’m in love with you.”

While I will acknowledge that the aforementioned statement is sweet, I had to laugh at its shallowness. At the point Watts says this, he has only known Art3mis for 2 to 3 days. Furthermore, he’s only met her digital avatar. Watts has never met the actual person. During this period in time, Watts is only “in love” with Art3mis for her avatar’s beauty.

Aside from the questionable pacing of the movie’s romance, the progression of the movie’s storyline was genius.

While it is an important piece of the movie, the quest for the golden egg also gave the film a nice and suspenseful sense of mystery, and did so by dropping several riddles into the race. The riddles served as a much needed reprieve from the fast-paced action scenes, and slowed down the story in order to focus on the growth of the film’s hero.

That investigative period largely showcased the intelligence and intellect of Watts. In addition, the riddles filled me with anticipation as to what exciting challenge this daring hero would have to endure next.

While the humor, action, and suspense was gripping, the fun and unpredictable cultural references alone were enough to keep my attention on full.

Throughout the entire story, pop culture icons appear and are referenced, ranging from Chucky, to Ferris Bueller. Even The Shining was a major part of the plot. Remember the Rubik’s Cube craze? Well in this movie, there’s another version of the famous cube that’s much more wild. I must be candid, however, and admit that my most favorite pop culture tidbit was the inclusion of Mechagodzilla as a hardcore digital weapon.

Aside from the popular references, this motion picture also showcases graphics that are both fluid, and gorgeous at the same time. Watts’ journey through the OASIS is filled with flowing, vivid colors, and an extreme amount attention to detail in the virtual environment. From the look of insanity on Chucky’s face, to the red eyes and metal spikes of Mechagodzilla, this film focuses as much on the artistry of its material as it does the action. Based on their polished graphics, the scenes on Planet Doom looked as if they jumped right out of the Xbox game, Skyrim.

Ignoring the incredible imagery and visuals, the movie’s combination of story elements keeps the excitement and anticipation on high.

As Ready Player One delves deeper into its intricate plot, it reiterates itself as being a perfect mixture of heart-pounding action, chilling suspense, mischievous romance, and hilarious one-liners.

However, the film eventually brings to light the important fact that people shouldn’t live life for glory and riches, but that they should instead live for love, freedom, and happiness.

While this movie foreshadowed the technological direction in which society is already heading, it also spoke of a much deeper message.

Under its glamour, Ready Player One warns of the destiny of modern society to become consumed by the limitless freedom that technology continuously provides, for reasons both right, and wrong.