High Five for virtual thrills

is genuinely chilling villainy; Ben Mendelsohn is surprisingly subdued as relentless CEO Sorrento and leaves you pining for Spielberg to somehow use the OASIS to resurrect Raiders of the Lost Ark’s Belloq or even Bruce the shark from Jaws.

Cline himself co-wrote the screenplay with Zak Penn (X-Men 2, Avengers Assemble) and the latter’s knack for layering a big-budget production with warmth, humour and interesting physical and emotional challenges is prevalent once again.

It wouldn’t be a Spielberg movie without disrupted family dynamics and Wade, Samantha and the other OASIS players who form the “High Five” give off a Lost Boys – and Girls – of Neverland vibe.

The director has never been shy of a timeless set-piece and the breathless visuals will leave you exhilarated, on edge and a little dizzy.

There is so much going on up on the screen that it’s impossible to take it all in on a single viewing; I look forward to poring over multiple scenes, with slow-mo button at the ready on my remote, when the movie hits DVD shelves.

Fist-pumping eighties tunes create a sensational soundtrack that will hammer the eardrums of those of a certain age – myself included – with nostalgia.

Hints of The Matrix and Avatar there may be, but Ready Player One stands on its own two feet as a tantalising thrill ride worthy of Spielberg’s greatness.

Cline is already penning a sequel and it’s not hard to understand why. This is a world you won’t be ready to say goodbye to.