• Film ID:
  • 10778
  • Availability:
  • DVD Available from Shop
  • Film cert:
  • Running time:
  • DVD=108 min.
  • Nationality(ies):
  • America.
  • Primary Language(s):
  • English.
WARGAMES (1983)
Cast
Director(s)
Categories
Review

This movie is about as good as it gets from John Hughes. The plot revolves around the rather farsighted premise (this is 1983, folks!) that a young high school punk hacks into the national defence network (the old internet) and starts off a global nuclear incident. As Cold War paranoia abounds him and his girlfriend have to convince a disbelieving US military that it's all a big mistake. Sounds all a bit hokey, I know, but where the film lifts itself above the normal teen trite Hughes has been responsible for, is the beautiful simplicity of its message. This is delivered in the form of a neat little simile comparing global nuclear war to the game of Tic-Tac-Toe (that's Noughts and Crosses to you, Mr Englishman). The nature of the game is finally understood by a supercomputer, who announces to all who will listen: 'It would appear the only way to win, is not to play at all'. Genius.

This film has received 295 Public Votes. If you like this film then cast your vote [here]