YA Double Feature: Ready Player One and Love, Simon

       These past few weeks have been a time of the young adult book-to-movie adaptation. I went and saw both of these movies within a week of each other, and even though they are two entirely different animals, they each earned a special place in my heart.

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Ready Player One

       Oh my goodness, what an adventure this movie was. I read the book back in 2015, so I have to be honest and say I don’t remember many of its details. (It  has a high probability of being reread at some point shortly.) Even though I couldn’t compare the specifics of the book and the movie, I still remember LOVING the book, which meant that I was going to be heartbroken if the film didn’t do it justice. Good news though: I LOVED the movie too. The cast and crew did an excellent job recreating the beloved story.

       Some of my favorite aspects:

• The video-game-style of animation they used when the scenes were shot in the OASIS vs. the grainy, 80’s quality of picture when the scenes were shot in real life.
• The explanation at the beginning of the movie on how the world developed and its current status instead of just jumping straight into the plot.
• The attention paid to every 80’s reference and cameo that was featured.

(Afterthought: I think this movie could serve for some fantastic cosplays and Halloween costumes this year. Art3mis is a possibility for Halloween 2018.)

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Love, Simon

       Contrary to my experience with Ready Player One, I finished this book about a week ago in the morning and made plans to see it that same evening. (I guess you could say I was armed and ready to judge the details). I am glad to report this movie made me SO HAPPY; I walked out of the theater with my head in the clouds and tears in my eyes (no joke. It made me cry happy tears for the first time in my entire life.) Even though some of my favorite elements were cut from the film due to length issues, it still exceeded my expectations. I know how much this movie meant to the people of the LGBT+ community, and I could feel that significance even though I didn’t identify with Simon’s sexual orientation. 

       Some of my favorite aspects:

• Simon’s parents were HILARIOUS. Everything they did made me laugh out loud. Specifically, the scene after the party was my favorite.
• Whenever Simon was thinking about Blue, I liked how they put whoever he felt it was in to play the role of Blue for that time. I also loved how they tinted the picture blue whenever they read his emails.
• THE ENDING WAS SO CUTE AND FEEL GOOD. Need I say more?

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       Overall these movie adaptations were both incredible, and if you need that little extra push to read the books before you see them, you should! I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to see both of these movies in theaters if you get the chance.

Your temporary movie critic,
Ashton

'You’ve read the books?'
'I’ve seen the movies.'
Cath rolled her eyes so hard, it hurt. (Actually.) (Maybe because she was still on the edge of tears. On the edge, period.) 'So you haven’t read the books.'
'I’m not really a book person.'
'That might be the most idiotic thing you’ve ever said to me'

— Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl