Virtual reality technology appears to be the future of human development and cinema is already trying to reflect that shift in innovation. There are an array of movies that explore what it's like to live in a completely fabricated world, and how society might actually operate in such a vibrant reality.
Whether it's down to a video game, or perhaps is based around an invention that allows the user to create their own universe to live in, these virtual worlds aren't always the utopian paradises they promise to be. These movies often ask big questions while boasting a lot of action-packed sequences intended to drive the narrative towards answers.
Virtual reality can be utilized to explore brand new worlds but in Ready Player One, the characters actually rely upon the technology as a form of escapism. The world outside is desolate and apocalyptic, but within the confines of this false world, there's a lot of enjoyment to be had.
Plenty of other movies have tried to create a virtual world that combines a range of familiar properties, but Ready Player One uses its source material to effectively pay homage to a number of well-known entertainment franchises. The film certainly has something to say about the benefits and drawbacks of VR, but still acts as a rip-roaring adventure as Wade Watts begins his quest.
The original Space Jam is a cult classic in its own right, but the latest iteration, A New Legacy, relied upon the notion of a virtual world to bring together a wide array of franchises from the Warner Bros. library. This archive of material is fun to witness in one place, although the film itself leaves something to be desired.
Having these iconic Looney Tunes characters cross from their animated reality to something more grounded is an intriguing premise and the movie tries to say something larger about the Hollywood creative process today. However, it's lost behind the silliness of the piece, which at the very least capitalizes on the classic cartoons of old.
Free Guy takes virtual reality a step further, boasting its own original open world platform, which just so happens to include an NPC system that encourages the development of true artificial intelligence.
Free Guy plays around with the debate surrounding the true definition of reality while giving protagonist Guy a range of personality traits that appear to deem him sentient. The action is stellar and the comedic beats largely hit, but the overall message about technological development and the investment into understanding the significance of a genuine virtual reality absolutely grips the audience.
Tron Legacy is the sequel that no one expected, but with modern movie-making techniques, it managed to portray the landscape of the original Tron in a way that wasn't previously possible. The result is a visually stunning film that might not land every narrative moment but ultimately works as an intriguing study of virtual worlds.
The way the Tron reality has developed since audiences last saw it brings in a lot of complicated questions about how society would function in a reality that is entirely man-made. It's huge in its scale and attempts to tackle much larger concepts than the original.
Even kid's films have attempted to try to explore virtual realities and the immense questions about existence itself that often accompany the concept. Wreck-It Ralph is much more than a movie for children though, pleasing video game fans and general audiences alike with its fun villain to hero storytelling.
Other movies have tried to emulate what Disney has done here to less success. Ralph is a beloved bad guy, who bonds with the secret princess Vanellope to try to climb his way through the social hierarchy of his own arcade title. With amazing cameos and an imaginative portrayal of what it's like to be in a video game, it really does provide intense detail surrounding a wide range of virtual realities and how real they can be.
Ender's Game is a film that uses virtual reality really effectively as part of the major twist of the film. The sci-fi genre is well-known for its more existential storytelling, forcing the audience to truly think about the impact of technology.
With the far future showcasing a snapshot of where humanity could be heading next, it's a harrowing display of war and greed, which virtual reality ultimately negatively contributes to. This tech can be used as a facade; the lies of VR are incredibly dangerous.
Of course, Total Recall once tried to tackle these huge questions as well, surrounding the importance of truth and how crucial it is to know what is genuinely real and what's a part of a virtual reality. Sometimes, the memories of a false world can be just as powerful and just as true.
It's action-packed and immensely thrilling, while also featuring an array of talented performers. But for an action movie of its size, it's almost surprising how much Total Recall actually contributed to the wider discussion within cinema, about VR. The modern reboot couldn't quite match the ideology of the original, nor did it really capture the kinetic energy of its action beats.
The original Jumanji brought a fictional world into reality, as the board game came to life inside of a familiar setting. It was genius of Welcome To The Jungle to flip the switch and instead pull the players into a video game world, unlike anything they've experienced.
Unlike other movies within the VR genre, it doesn't really attempt to explore the meaning of false realities. It's clear that this is a console title and therefore contributes itself to the small list of stellar releases based around video games. It's fun and full of heart, while getting in plenty of nods to the first film of the saga and carving out its own legacy as well.
Does a virtual reality have to take place within some kind of digital display? Is conventional technology necessary for the definition of VR? Inception makes a great case for the use of dreams as a different kind of virtual reality, considering those that enter that sleepscape are aided by a different kind of gadget.
Reality is all about what the mind considers to be real and unfortunately, that can be very dangerous for anyone invading this personal space. The lines between truth and manipulation blur throughout this picture, which demonstrates that blockbusters can still be intelligent and complex in their script writing while delivering satisfying action beats.
The Matrix might be the definitive film for exploring virtual realities. Indeed, the word Matrix itself has become a description for a landscape that might be digital in its makeup and false in its creation; yet there's still something so authentic about these fictional worlds.
Each sequel to the first has tried to add something further to the debate set up here, with Neo as the chosen one finding his path amongst the corruption and deceit at the center of this reality. When something is created it can be controlled, but then again can't every reality, whether it's virtual or not? Groundbreaking visual effects absolutely play their part in telling this iconic story.
