“Ready Player One,” the 2018 film directed by Steven Spielberg, is a science fiction film set in a dystopian future where much of society spends their time in a virtual reality world called the OASIS. The film’s known for its extensive use of pop culture references, particularly from the 1980s, and video game and movie references from various eras.
I recently went back to watch the film and enjoyed it much more than I did when it hit theaters. The main reason this occurred’s the amount of time removed from reading the book, buy Ernest Cline. As with most film-adapted novels, the book’s a lot better than the film, and some of the main plot points had to change for the film.
Several pop culture references from the novel never made the film, but a ton of newer pop references made it into the film that never existed in the novel (I’m looking at you Spartans). Here are some key aspects of the pop culture references in the movie:
- 1980s Pop Culture: The film’s heavily influenced by 1980s pop culture, including video games, music, movies, and TV shows. References to iconic games like “Pac-Man,” “Donkey Kong,” “Joust,” and “Adventure” are featured throughout the movie.
- Steven Spielberg References: As the director of the film, Spielberg incorporates references to his work. Some of these include the DeLorean time machine from “Back to the Future,” which plays a prominent role in the story, and the T-Rex from “Jurassic Park.”
- Other Movie References: The movie includes nods to various classic films, such as “The Shining,” “WarGames,” “King Kong,” “Star Wars,” and “Indiana Jones.” The challenges within the OASIS often incorporate pop culture references.
- Music References: The soundtrack of the film features numerous songs from the 1980s. These include “Jump” by Van Halen, “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister.
- Video Game References: In addition to specific video game titles, the movie also pays homage to the gaming culture of the 1980s and beyond. With references to arcade cabinets, game controllers, and virtual reality technology.
- Cultural Impact: The use of pop culture references in “Ready Player One” serves multiple purposes. It creates a nostalgic appeal for older audiences who grew up with the referenced media. The film also introduces younger audiences to iconic elements of pop culture history. Additionally, the references help to establish the OASIS as a fully realized virtual world that draws inspiration from real-world entertainment.
Although the film dramatically changed some things from the novel, the film’s quite a gem. Although the plot strayed from the novel, I highly recommend watching it at least once. It’s a must-watch for any nostalgia or pop culture fan. Overall, the extensive use of pop culture references in “Ready Player One” contributes to the film’s unique blend of nostalgia, adventure, and virtual reality storytelling.
