I was wondering if I was the only person who thought the trailer was terrible. I only watched it because the reviews were so hyperbolic. This article is right: the source material is supremely mediocre.
I think you might be giving Cline too much credit. I've read much better fanfiction than "Ready Player One". Even the bad fanfiction chock-a-block full of nostalgiac references doesn't stop to explain it's references every other page. I literally hate-read through RPO on a transatlantic flight because the screen for my seat was broken and I had nothing better to do.
ETA another excellent review: http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/ready-player-one-finds-the-...