Quest of a Life-time: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

BOOK VS FILM

*This review contains spoilers.*

INTRODUCTION

Ready Player 1 is a dystopian science-fiction YA hybrid debut novel by author Ernest Cline, about an adventure quest for three keys leading to the game creator’s massive fortune hidden inside a worldwide virtual reality called OASIS.

It was originally published in 2011 and was adapted to a film of the same title directed by Steven Spielberg, released in 2018. Both the book and movie were greeted with international success, with over 1.7 million print copies sold and a gross worldwide blockbuster total of $582.9 million. 

A decade after the initial book release, let us review: Is the book better than the movie? 

Level One

The prologue of the book details Halliday’s last will and the Easter Egg Hunt. It was straightforward, and it sets the story’s direction, goals of the characters, and overall main plot. The opening chapter builds more on the decrepit earth of the year 2045, how it became that way, and why people prefer to leave reality for the OASIS. It walks readers through Wade’s life – who he is, what makes him tick and how he came to be the first to get the copper key. It also portrayed Wade’s strengths – resourceful, skillful, compassionate, and wise. I love the moment when he repeats his mental ritual each time he sees the sunrise, as he leaves his estranged Aunt’s trailer, reminding himself that there are bigger things in the universe than him. He’s motivated and determined to win that he’d spent countless hours consuming any information that may help him achieve his goal, even when others have given up. 

The movie’s opening act is mostly the same – expositions of Oasis world with a few action sequences. In the film, the first key was obtained by winning a race, with nods to pop culture, which may or may not be from the ’80s. But while the movie was visually appealing and very entertaining, it portrays Wade as a lesser character compared to strong, smart, and emotionally mature Art3mis. There’s nothing wrong with super cool female characters, but there’s no reason to tone down another to achieve it. It would have been best to keep the original premise that each of the High Five is knowledgeable and skilled in their unique way, complementing each other’s weaknesses. 

Level One: the book wins!

Level Two

After the first key, Wade was hurtled into unprecedented popularity and was waylaid in romance with Art3mis. In the book, a rival corporation named IOI was introduced early, employing all manners of underhanded strategies to win the egg and gain controlling rights to OASIS. Wade was perfectly aware of the danger he was in and was very capable and sharp enough to evade them by getting a new identity, moving out of state, and purchasing top-of-the-line security. He’d learned to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and keep from leaving digital footprints. 

In the film, Wade had to be rescued by Art3mis in real life after IOI blew his trailer home, had to work the clues with Art3mis to secure the second key, and only had the shot to the third key after Art3mis sacrificed herself.

While I prefer the character’s depth and development in the book, it was relatively slow-paced, and the focus shifted from the competition to Wade’s love interest, his daily routines, and his acclimation to his new status. The film’s second act remains action-packed, with a couple of very moving sentiments about friendship, loyalty, and teamwork.

Level Two: the movie wins!

Level Three 

After the second key, IOI passed the second gate and was the first to get the third and last key. At this point, it seems like the antagonists are winning, the odds against the main characters are spiking up, and the only way to win is to work together. That is until they passed the gate. From then on, the game isolated Wade to play the last tranche to win on his own. 

In the movie, Wade and the High Five are already working together from the start. Wade tipped Aech how to get the first key, who in turn told Daito and Shoto. After they were nearly captured, they played alongside each other and banded up with all other OASIS users to fight off IOI. The payoff was absolutely effective; as a viewer, you are rooting for them to win. It was cohesive and consistent with the general theme: Oasis wasn’t designed to be a one-player game. That reality is real, and no matter how bleak the situation is, relationships are what make it worthwhile.

Level Three: the movie wins!

FINAL THOUGHTS

In this review, you’d notice that each medium has its strength. And depending on what type of reader and viewer you are, you’d come to appreciate one more than the other.

Ultimately, you’re the best judge on which is better. Let us know in the comments which you liked more! If you haven’t read or seen Ready Player 1, then what are you waiting for?