Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One - review

Mystery surrounded the film when the directing legend was spotted on the streets of Birmingham; the bizarre, gritty-looking sets seen around the Custard Factory and Jewellery Quarter projecting a theme which was incredibly hard to guess, leaving Midlanders and movie fans alike confused.

Read more: Steven Spielberg, Simon Pegg and Brian May among stars at Ready Player One premiere in London

And though film fans excitedly rushed to see trailers for the flick, the promo clips gave away very little indeed.

But the film was well worth the wait - as a lucky few at the screening in Broad Street and a premiere in London's Leicester Square last night discovered.

Ready Player One is set in 2045 and tells the tale of teenage orphan Wade Watts living with his aunt and her 'endless string of lovers' in what appears to be a rubbish tip yard, where people live in trailers stacked like Lego bricks towering high into the sky.

The film - and everyone's lives in it - revolves around an immersive virtual reality game called OASIS, created by the late James Halliday, where players can go anywhere and do anything they want. As Wade describes it in the movie, people go to OASIS for the things they can do, but 'stay for the things they can be'.

It has literally taken over everyone's lives: with the exception of eating, sleeping and bathroom breaks, every second - and every penny - is invested in the game.

With the influence of this simulation being so strong, it is perhaps unsurprising that a malevolent giant corporation is looking to take it over, in order to use it for their gain.

Prior to his death, the game's creator made a virtual 'Easter egg', hidden away in the network - the winner of which would inherit his stock, worth trillions of dollars, as well as ownership of OASIS. In order to win the 'egg', players must complete quests to gain three keys which eventually unlocks the prize. And in five years, no one has won any of them.

So the race is on.

It's the classic tale of the little man vs a powerful corporation and through tears, bloodshed (both actual and virtual), devotion and teamwork, all is well that ends well.

As one would expect from any Steven Spielberg creation, Ready Player One is incredibly well made, with thrilling special effects, tremendous graphics and beautiful colour schemes.

And while it is set so far into the future, the film is also incredibly nostalgic for those born between 1960 and 1990, with references to a huge array of pop culture highlights - ranging from King Kong, to Back To The Future, the Rubiks Cube, Bill and Ted, Star Wars, Alien, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Mario Kart, and Stanley Kubrick.

The soundtrack nods to the past too - with beloved hits from acts such as Van Halen, Blondie, Wham! And Twisted Sister all featured.

An excellently funny, endearing, gripping film which takes audiences on a journey of hope, excitement, love and toe-curling anticipation, with immersive action and effects made all the more impressive by the cinematic surround sound and huge screen.

One for lovers of sci-fi, music, gaming, romance and movies alike.

Tremendous. Certainly one I would see again.