“Weird Science” could be defined as the outcast stepchild in the John Hughes film library. Not as emotionally raw as “The Breakfast Club” or universally loved as “Home Alone,” “Weird Science” has all the ingredients to be an amazing work of comedy with its plot alone; two nerds conjure a beautiful woman on their home computer and shenanigans ensue. However, it has its problems. Several elongated scenes that aren’t as funny as they are intended to be and an overabundance of toilet humor and raunchy gags keep it in the status of barely good and not close to great.
Released in 1985 in the era before nerds were cool, “Weird Science” stars Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith. They play Gary and Wyatt, computer geeks who achieve the ultimate male fantasy by bringing the magical and enchanting Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) to life by “building” her via the computer. “Just like Frankenstein,” Gary states as the classic film plays on a television in Wyatt’s bedroom. “Except cuter.”
The concept in and of itself is hysterical, but the creation of Lisa comes with no investment and little development. We know Gary and Wyatt are the unpopular kids in school because of the opening scene; Lisa’s appearance comes on too abruptly, and the way it happens transforms the genre of science fiction to science fallacy.
Set in Chicago—wait…a John Hughes movie set in Chicago? Shocker I know. “Weird Science” does have a handful of iconic and funny moments. In particular, the party sequence that includes the standard ’80s high school trope of a ridiculous amount of kids laying waste to the house that’s hosting is right up there.
The acting from the three main stars is great, and the inclusion of Bill Paxton as Wyatt’s obnoxious older brother Chet, the supervisor for the weekend, is perfect. Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Rusler portray the bullies with Suzanne Snyder and Judie Aronson completing the cast as the cheerleaders Gary and Wyatt are lusting after.
It’s an ’80s movie at heart which is always great, and the iconic titular song plays at points throughout. It is interesting to witness the dawn of the computer era and the aspirations of those at its genesis. The film’s concept may offend modern ‘woke folks,’ but you miss the point if you take this movie seriously.
“Weird Science” is a classic and great to watch for some laughs. While not as memorable as other Hughes films it does have enough going for it to be enjoyable.
