- [Narrator] Today's episode of nerdist news
is sponsored by Farcry5.
Did the internet just fall in love with Ready Player One?
- Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One is set for release
in about three weeks, and the film's promo push has been,
well, a little rough to say the least.
Flubs like the first poster of the film featuring
Wade Watt's insanely long leg, last week's posters
parodying more popular films that look like they
were made by a sixth grader who might've learned
photoshop recently, and the decision to keep T.J. Miller
in the film after he was accused of some horrifying stuff.
They haven't done a lot to get audiences excited
about this big budget Hollywood trip to the oasis,
but is Ready Player One actually a ready player win?
On Sunday, Warner Brothers surprised an audience
at the south by southwest festival in Austin
with a screening of the complete film, which according
to reports, was so good the audience gave it a
standing ovation at the end.
Fans who left the screening took to Twitter shortly
thereafter to let the world know this film wasn't
the obscene nostalgia assault we thought it might be.
Well, I mean it is in some respects, but it's also good?
Twitter user @erickohn said "Ready Player One feels like
"Spielberg watched a ton of Luc Besson movies and decided
"to outdo them.
"In terms of pure spectacle, it's the most astonishing
"thing he's done.
"Never underestimate Steve."
Luc Besson is of course known for writing and directing
the film Fifth Element and giving us all the treat
that is Chris Tucker screaming the name
"Korben Dallas".
(laughing)
I'm miss you Ruby Rhod.
And @erickhon wasn't the only person named Eric
who loved the film.
@erikdavis said "Ready Player One 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 Silverstri score.
"I loved it and so did this South by Southwest crowd.
"Be excited for it."
Now the reference filled love train continued with
@TashaRobinson who said "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 it
"really bought the humor."
Ready Player One sounds more like ready player fun.
(explosion)
Am I right?
But seriously, it wasn't all blancas and battle toads.
A few fans of the screening weren't ready to drink
that 1980's Kool Aid, cause that is expired.
@KristyPuchko called Ready Player One a cacophonous
eye sore and said "Ready Player One 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."
Ouch, that was the Twitter equivalent of being run over
by the big 1980's monster truck sensation, Bigfoot.
Or the other one, Truckasaurus.
Or the third one, Gravedigger.
Ready Player Two.
And the bad reviews didn't stop there.
@AnarchistPrince said "Ready Player One is basically
"if cyberpunk was completely stripped of any actual
"social critiques."
Ugh, oh my god I'm gonna need a skin graft for that burn.
That's, wow.
From the sounds of it, if you expected RPO to be
anything more than a Hollywood blockbuster
with more 80s and 90s references than Chuck E Cheese's
birthday party hosted by the band Ratt, then you might
find Ready Player One to be a little ready player dumb.
But, if you know what you're getting yourself into,
you're gonna have a good time.
So there you have it.
A crowd at South by Southwest saw Steven Spielberg's
latest baby.
Some loved it, some hated it, and everyone who saw it
was kindly reminded that the battle toads are,
in fact, a thing.
Sorry Game Stop employees.
Your life is gonna be hell for like a month.
With the film due out by the end of the month,
you can expect more reviews to come out in the near future.
What do you folks think?
Do these reactions make you more excited about
Ready Player One, are you still all in on this
journey to the oasis?
Do you really think that people would agree to call
something Gunters?
No, let's discuss.
Thanks to Farcry5 for sponsoring today's nerdist news.
Check out our Farcry5 video where we send Kyle Hill,
Erika Ishii and myself to get some in real life Farcry5
style training.
Watch as our favorite nerd geeks learn to fire
a sniper rifle, drift like a bootlegger, and train
a dog to be our sidekick.
Watch our training just in time for Farcry5,
which comes out March 27th, and is available
on PS4, xbox one, and PC.
Go to Farcry.com to learn more and pre-order now.
(digital music)