Weird Science (1985)
Recommended for mature audiences
Teenage geeks Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) are sick of being ignored by girls, abused by cool guys, and forced to spend their weekend nights watching nerdy old sci-fi movies. Left alone for the weekend, they use Wyatt's computer to create Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), a stunningly beautiful woman with a body that stops traffic, a heart of gold, and a genius IQ. The boys embark on an adventure with their creation, going to bars, driving Ferraris, throwing a killer party, and keeping Wyatt’s psychotic older brother, Chet (Bill Paxton), in check. But in the end, they learn that wearing cool clothes, hanging out with cool kids, and being popular might not solve all their problems. Written and directed by the king of teen flicks, John Hughes, this film was released after Sixteen Candles and in the same year as The Breakfast Club. Like many of his films, Hughes's Weird Science is set in fictional Shermer, Illinois. A young Robert Downey (sans the "Jr.") appears as Ian, a cool kid who takes pleasure in tormenting Gary and Wyatt.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 94mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: |
by Simon Miraudo, 17/07/2012 11:40:00 AM
Though the late John Hughes is remembered with glowing affection by plenty, his films have been subjected to claims of misogyny, racism, and homophobia over the last few decades. I figured they were unfair, clinging desperately to my memories of childhood favourites. Since growing out of adolescence (physically, if not mentally; and perhaps only barely physically), I revisited The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and found they mostly rise above those criticisms (mostly). It's hard, however, to argue in defence of Weird Science, a severely dated and unpleasant comedy in which a grown woman continually offers sex to a couple of 15-year-old boys. That grown woman, Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), is the invention of nerdlingers Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith). H...
Though the late John Hughes is remembered with glowing affection by plenty, his films have been subjected to claims of misogyny, racism, and homophobia over the last few decades. I figured they were unfair, clinging desperately to my memories of childhood favourites. Since growing out of adolescence (physically, if not mentally; and perhaps only barely physically), I revisited The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and found they mostly rise above those criticisms (mostly). It's hard, however, to argue in defence of Weird Science, a severely dated and unpleasant comedy in which a grown woman continually offers sex to a couple of 15-year-old boys.
That grown woman, Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), is the invention of nerdlingers Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith). Having spent their day lusting over the female gymnasts at school - and shamed by bullies (Robert Rusler and ... Robert Downey Jr.?) - they decide to create for themselves a girlfriend of their own; one that answers to their every whim. Inspired by a late-night screening of Frankenstein, and utilising hilariously improbable 80s technology that includes uploading pictures of Playboy models, Albert Einstein, and David Lee Roth into a supercomputer, the final product emerges from their bathroom in skimpy underpants and a cut-off shirt. "You control me," the cheeky Lisa informs them. Oh boy.
LeBrock walks away from the movie unscathed, thanks to her knowing ability to transcend sex symbol status and take charge of every scene and scenario in chaotic manner. The same can't be said of Hall and Mitchell-Smith, who reminded me more of the awful teenage protagonists in Project X than the realistic and deep-down-secretly-sweet heroes from Superbad.
Watching Weird Science again in the harsh light of my 20s was like catching up with an old friend who I had recalled as a raucous party animal, but was now clearly a shaky meth addict with no teeth. All that hold up are the theme song and Bill Paxton's wonderfully douchey performance as Wyatt's brother Chet. I dare not dig out the TV show spin-off, for fear of ruining the mental image of that too.
1/5
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Member Reviews (11)
11 Member
Reviews
Flik
says
A must see classic 80's film. Cracked me up. See it once. Definitely a boys movie though. lol.
JT
says
A John Hughes classic. What every guy wants is a smoking hot genie.
Sarah B.
says
Fabulous movie!!! A Classic! I love John Hughes movies. It's about two teen guys who see themselves as dorks, a belief well and truly supported by their peers. Along comes Kelly LeBrock.... possibly the most gorgeous knock out to ever have roamed planet earth. She then helps her hopelessly geeky creators to discover their inner cool. It's just the best light hearted fantasy comedy ever produced. It captures the 80's vibe perfectly. Fun and entertaining.....Love it!!!
sparrow1964
says
a very funny,wacky movie, made from real teenage boys fantacys, we could watch it over & over & still split our sides laughing!
Chris D.
says
A latter day Sorcerers Apprentice tale.
Kevin M.
says
Robert Y.
says
OK, I don't remember this movie being so gay.
When I was 13, this film was great. Nothing could be better than creating a perfect woman on some whiz-bang computer who will help you be cool at get the girl. Somewhere along the way from the eighties though, this movie stopped being so cool and has become one of the most confounding movies I have watched in a while.
Weird Science hits all the right '80s cliches: Female Gymnastics, Scenes in a Mall, A Big House Party, A Police Car Chase. What's absent is the exposition. Whole scenes feel like they found on the cutting room floor in order put in more scenes with a scrawny Anthony Michael Hall with his shirt off.
When you get past all the homoerotic overtones between the two male co-stars, the fact that the 23 year old woman is kissing and fondling a 15 year old is no longer erotic but a little bit vomit inducing.
If you have good memories of this movie, don't watch it again, it will just ruin your precious first mastabatory memories. If you haven't had the pleasure, watch it, but be prepared to walk away confused.... and slightly dirty.
Watch for:
- Robert Downey, before the jr.
- Kelly LeBrock (why else?)
Fast Forward:
- Awkward Racial Profiling
- Hall in woman's underwear
Robert Y.
says
OK, I don't remember this movie being so gay.
When I was 13, this film was great. Nothing could be better than creating a perfect woman on some whiz-bang computer who will help you be cool at get the girl. Somewhere along the way from the eighties though, this movie stopped being so cool and has become one of the most confounding movies I have watched in a while.
Weird Science hits all the right '80s cliches: Female Gymnastics, Scenes in a Mall, A Big House Party, A Police Car Chase. What's absent is the exposition. Whole scenes feel like they found on the cutting room floor in order put in more scenes with a scrawny Anthony Michael Hall with his shirt off.
When you get past all the homoerotic overtones between the two male co-stars, the fact that the 23 year old woman is kissing and fondling a 15 year old is no longer erotic but a little bit vomit inducing.
If you have good memories of this movie, don't watch it again, it will just ruin your precious first mastabatory memories. If you haven't had the pleasure, watch it, but be prepared to walk away confused.... and slightly dirty.
Watch for:
- Robert Downey, before the jr.
- Kelly LeBrock (why else?)
Fast Forward:
- Awkward Racial Profiling
- Hall in woman's underwear
Patrick S.
says
4th
says
This movie leaves you wondering if they 80's was ever cool, the fashion is terrible, the themes a modern censors nightmare but apart from that its every young boys and now girls fantasy (just not with that hair or clothing YUCK!)
Anthony K.
says
Classic 80's teen flick - Anthony Michael Hall at his geeky best!