I'm a huge sci fi fan so I read the book before seeing this. As a stand-alone movie it isn't too bad. There are good references to 80s pop culture and the whole concept of VR is cool. However that's where it stops.

The book is so much better. The detail the characters the atmosphere the suspense the sense of urgency and competition. Everything in that sense is much better in the book.

Also, the characters are so different from the book. Just blasé and one dimensional. Read the book instead it's much better.