Rated: PG
Starring: teen heartthrobs, virtual avatars, the BFG, and Ben Mendelsohn
Plot: After a trillionaire/computer whiz (Mark Rylance) dies, he releases a recording of himself announcing a virtual world scavenger hunt with the winner receiving his fortune.
Tanya’s Verdict: This movie had the ability to be both futuristic and retro at the same time. I can’t explain it – but trust me on this. Never in a million years would I have thought this movie was up my alley – I just have to hear the words “virtual reality” and I tune right out. But, as it turns out, I was dead wrong.
Composed of a simple plot line built up by interesting characters (both real and virtual), compelling themes (real life vs. virtual reality), not to mention plenty of shout-outs to 80s pop culture, this movie had me hooked. It also doesn’t hurt that 80s music is featured throughout as well as a scene from The Shining, one of the best movies ever made.
The importance of connection is the running theme – real life connection. And even though this movie could stand to lose about 15 or 20 minutes, I loved it from beginning to end and cannot recommend it enough to everybody and their children.