Ready Player One

The Stacks in Columbus, Ohio. The year 2045. In the world of CGI, it’s difficult to separate computer enhanced or generated locations from real ones . . . but lets have a go. The Movie-Locations website explains that the Stacks are a digital extension of the outdoor set built on the backlot at Leavesden Studios in Leavesden near Watford, Hertfordshire.

In the virtual reality entertainment universe of the OASIS, Wade Watts' avatar Parzival takes part in the first challenge to that will lead to a golden Easter Egg and, ultimately, ownership of the OASIS.

Finding the first clue and winning the challenge to gain the Copper Key, Parzival visits Halliday Journals, the simulated archive of OASIS creator James Halliday.

After being approached by Nolan Sorrento, CEO of Innovative Online Industries who seeks to control the OASIS, explosions signal the destruction of his home at the Stacks as teenage orphan Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) returns too late to save his Aunt Alice.

Kidnapped from the Stacks by a Tattooed Guy, Watts meets Samantha Cooke (Olivia Cooke), Art3mis in the OASIS. The former Typhoo Tea Factory on Bordesley Street in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Samantha explains about the Rebellion, a movement against IOI. The Typhoo Tea Factory closed in 1978.

Because of restricted access, the wrong angle taken from street level will have to do. (PW)

Wade comments that life is so much slower outside the OASIS. The roof of the derelict Typhoo Tea Factory which stands between Bordesley Street, New Canal Street, Fazeley Street and Pickford Street in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

Samantha gets up and goes inside to put on her haptic suit after figuring out the second clue. The view from the roof of the former Typhoo Tea Factory on Bordesley Street in Birmingham 5.

After Parzival, Art3mis and their friends Aech, Daito and Sho obtain the Jade Key, in the real world, IOI drones search for the Tattooed Guy when he's recognised by Sorrento's subordinate F'Nale Zandor. Looking south-west along Mary Ann Street in Birmingham 3.

Brook Welding is one of very few factories in the area that remains operational. (PW)

The drones corner before homing in on their target as he buys vegetables in a market. Livery Street in Birmingham with Mary Ann Street on the left and the bridge carrying the railway north from Snow Hill station with Henrietta Street to the right.

The same corner. (PW)

Following an IOI raid on the Rebellion's hideout during which Samantha is remanded, Helen rescues Wade and the pair return to her van in time to see Toshiro (Win Morisaki) destroy a circling drone. Facing north on Fountayne Road in Seven Sisters, London N15.

As the third challenge is attempted, Players from all over the city prepare to join in the virtual battle against IOI. Lionel Street, Birmingham, outside number 100 which is the St. John’s Ambulance Building, formerly the Dr. Nelson Memorial Hall.

The background building was easier to spot when I visited. (PW)

Looking west on Ropemaker Street in London EC2 with Moor Lane in the distance.

Unchanged. SJ

F'Nale Zandor directs drones in their search for Helen's van. Facing the premises of Brook Welding on Mary Ann Street, Birmingham 3.

From ground level. (PW)

A vehicle is highlighted, but not Helen's USPS truck with Ohio plates. The junction of Livery Street, Henrietta Street and Mary Ann Street.

From a little further back, facing the same junction. (PW)

Cut to a car passing beneath a bridge. Floodgate Street in Birmingham 5, beneath the railway viaduct carrying the line south from Moor Street station.

Newer graffiti doesn't disguise the location. (PW)

As the car moves out of shot, Helen's parked van is revealed inside a yard. Floodgate Street in Digbeth, Birmingham.

There's a disco mirror ball hanging beneath the arches!! (PW)

The battle continues on the streets as well as in the OASIS. Ropemaker Street near the corner of City Road. The Nationwide Building Society in the background occupies one of disposable buildings in the City of London . . . which has since been demolished.

The rebuilding is in progress. SJ

As she drives through the city, F'nale sees the virtual fighters battle it out. Facing Starbucks on Moorfields in London EC2. 44 Moorfields EC2, around the corner from CityPoint.

44 Moorfields is looking less busy now. SJ

Outside number 28 Ropemaker Street.

A very busy bike rack. SJ

Facing 25 Ropemaker Street.

A very helpful sign. SJ

Escaping from IOI's headquarters, Samantha appears outside the building. In front of CityPoint at 1 Ropemaker Street in EC2. Just one of the locations listed on the movie-locations.com.

Now. SJ

Samantha begins to take off the IOI uniform while she runs as Sorrento detonates the Cataclyst Bomb which wipes out every avatar within the OASIS. Looking westward along Ropemaker Street. ‘Scoop’ from 2006 features CityPoint with Ropemaker Street appearing in 1970’s ‘Bartleby’.

The curious structure on the left has been covered. SJ

As Samantha wanders the streets, inside the OASIS Parzival flips an "Extra Life" coin into the air. Facing north-east on Lionel Street, Birmingham 3 with the since demolished Lionel House to the right.

The replacement building stands on the right. (PW)

Through the wind-shield of Helen's van, Toshiro spots Samantha. Looking south-west along Lionel Street with Summer Row and Paradise Circus Car Park in the distance.

Birmingham Library stands to the top left. (PW)

Helen Harris (Lena Waithe) brings her van to a stand. Lionel Street in Birmingham B3 with Summer Row in the left distance.

Parked cars replace the prop bins. (PW)

Toshiro introduces himself to the young woman who, up to now, he's only encountered within the OASIS. Outside Telephone House on Lionel Street.

What does the future have in store for Telephone House? (PW)

Samantha meets Helen, who she knows as the avatar Aech. Lionel Street, facing Telephone House, an Art Deco building dating from 1935.

The same doorway. (PW)

As Wade attempts to complete the challenge for the Crystal Key in the back of the van, Helen pulls away. Lionel Street, Birmingham 3 with Lionel House to the right.

Drones patrol the streets as the truck carrying Helen, Zhou, Samantha, Toshiro and Wade turns a corner. Lionel Street, facing an unnamed passage between Lionel House and University College Birmingham.

Helen realises that the drones have begun to follow. Looking south-west on Livery Street.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

On a screen in her vehicle, F'Nale Zandor spots the USPS truck.

Still wearing their VR Headsets, Citizens watch Parzival play the Atari 2600 game "Adventure".

In her IOI armoured car, F'Nale Zandor catches up with Helen and rams into her van. Livery Street in the St. Paul’s area of the city with the Grade II listed Vaughton’s Gothic Works visible on the right.

A clearer view of the works, now a hotel. (PW)

Helen takes evasive action. The junction of Livery Street and Water Street, Birmingham 3.

A tidier junction in reality. (PW)

Another IOI vehicle joins in the chase. The crossroads formed by Livery Street, Henrietta Street and Mary Ann Street.

Looking towards the city. (PW)

Parzival wins the key as the battle in the streets continues. Livery Street with the corner of Water Street to the right.

The location is normal use. (PW)

F'Nale Zandor opens the door of her car and attempts to jump onto the USPS truck to stop Wade. Facing north-west on Livery Street with Mary Ann Street on the left.

Looking along the road out of town. (PW)

Pushed from the van, F'Nale Zandor falls to the road. Beneath the Gravelly Hill Interchange in Birmingham B6.

As Parzival speaks with Halliday's avatar Anorak the All-Knowing, Sorrento rams the back of Helen's van. Also known colloquially as Spaghetti Junction, the Gravelly Hill Interchange opened in May 1972.

Sorrento pursues the van towards the Stacks. The A38 Tyburn Road, A38(M) Aston Expressway and the A5127 Lichfield Road Meet the M6 at the junction above what was once Salford Park.

Inside the on line world, Halliday explains that Parzival has won ownership of the OASIS. Beneath Gravelly Hill Interchange where storage units for the ever continuing repair work on the junction are kept.

Beneath the Gravelly Hill Interchange in Birmingham B6, a complex road junction that also features in ‘Felicia’s Journey’ and ‘Take Me High’.

Getting out of his vehicle, Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn) is faced by hostile residents.

After Sorrento is arrested, Ogden Morrow (Simon Pegg), James Halliday's one time partner at Gregarious Games, appears. Wikipedia tells us that Ludgate Hill Car Park on Lionel Street, Birmingham 3 is where some of the caravan homes were built as props.