You might have first heard of the fancy word ‘metaverse’ from the annual Connect conference of Facebook on October 28, 2021. But do you know this word actually comes from a 1992-published sci-fi novel Snow Crash? Yes, a sci-fi novel! Apparently this is where we are now!
Metaverse movies that you might have missed
The metaverse is a massive persistent virtual world. With the combination of digital simulations, such as [virtual reality(VR)](http://【你問我答】VR 是什麼？2022 最新 25 個有關虛擬實境的問題) and augmented reality(AR), metaverse constructs a common space where you can perform your daily activities and interact with others without physical and geographical constraint. Sounds surreal? Little do you know you’ve already encountered similar concepts in games and movies! Here are 5 movies that you can watch to learn more about metaverse:
1. The Matrix series
Release date : Mar 31, 1999
Director : Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Runtime : 2h 16m
There is no way to talk about metaverse without mentioning the classic The Matrix series. The movie sets in a cyberpunk world where human is imprisoned in a simulated reality— Matrix, run by the self-aware artificial intelligence. A realistic civilisation resembles the 21st century is stimulated to confine the consciousness of human while artificial intelligence learns to improve the virtual world through the behaviour of human. The series focus on the journey of Neo (Keanu Reeves), an awakened human, in fighting against the machines and rescuing mankind.
The Matrix covers numerous philosophical ideas but it is certainly not a movie that bores you with theories and lengthy narratives. Apart from the super cool action sequences that incorporate Hong Kong action film aesthetics, the groundbreaking visual effects will surely blow your mind!
2. Her (2013)
Release date : Jan 10, 2014
Director : Spike Jonze
Runtime : 1h 59m
This love story between the lonely writer Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) and the artificial intelligence virtual assistant Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) demonstrates the blurred boundary between the offline world and the online network. When the two are so closely entangled, who’s to say the virtual world isn’t real?
In this movie, you’ll see Theodore struggles between the confusion of loving an imaginary character built by big data and his real emotional connection with Samantha. Her does not only explore the possible relationship between humans and technology, but also the relationship between humans. You probably don’t have any intention to start a virtual romance at the moment, but in a world where people are bonded yet distanced, you will find yourself sharing their emptiness of Theodore.
3. Ready Player One (2018)
Release date : Mar 29, 2018
Director : Steven Spielberg
Runtime : 2h 20m
You will get the best metaverse vibe in Ready Player One seeing every character wearing a VR headset indulging in a video game called OASIS. The movie sets in 2045 where the world has collapsed so badly people just don’t care about the reality anymore. As Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) joins others to begin the adventure of treasure hunting to win the total control of OASIS, he and his friends step into a dangerous but fascinating universe to save OASIS. It is exciting to watch characters competing with each other and crack the codes with pop-culture references. If you are a 80s pop-culture fan, you will probably recognise some Easter eggs too!
4. Free Guy (2021)
Release date : Aug 13, 2021
Director : Shawn Levy
Runtime : 1h 55m
Not ready for a dark heavy dystopian movie? Free Guy is the pick for you! This quick-witted comedy starred Ryan Reynolds as Guy, a bank teller in Free City who had no idea that he is a non-player character in an open-world video game. After getting a pair of sunglasses left behind by a player, Guy is able to view the city with gamer’s interface. Later on, he even teamed up with real humans of the reality to save Free City from being deleted by the game developer.
The Free City can be seen as a metaphor of virtual metaverse after Guy obtained a gamer’s perspective to experience the city. As Guy fools around with his new ‘superpower’, the movie gives you a sense of what it’s like to be immersed in a high-tech futuristic world full of possibilities. But most importantly, it is funny and creative to enjoy!
5. Wreck-it Ralph (2021)
Release date : Feb 8, 2021
Director : Rich Moore
Runtime : 1h 48m
The arcade-game villain Wreck-it Ralph (John C. Reilly) is tired of being the bad guy who is always losing. He then started his game-hopping trip to look for a new story for himself. This movie features iconic characters from various video games. Such as Bowser from Mario, and Zangief from Street Fighter. You will see the adorable interaction between these characters and get a taste of traveling across multi-universe. Who knows if your favorite game character is in the movie!
Metaverse is more than entertainment
Many companies, including the world-leading ones, are on their way to develop their own metaverse. Sooner or later, ‘metaverse’ will not be merely a fictional buzzword but a reality. The movies listed above are a painless start that guides you to this trend of the near future. So get yourself prepared and see you in the metaverse!
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