Movie: Weird Science

Release Date: August 2, 1985

Director: John Hughes

Starring: Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock.

Tag Lines: “They went from zeroes to heroes in one fantastic weekend.”

“It’s all in the name of science. Weird Science.”

“If you can’t get a date, make one!”

Relevance: Every child of the 1980’s, whether they know it or not, loved John Hughes. He was the director, writer and producer of some of the most memorable and iconic films from that decade. He wrote and produced a lot of them on my list of most influential movies of all time and ‘Weird Science’ is the first of five films that he directed.

I can’t remember the exact date, but I rented the movie somewhere between the ages of either fourteen or fifteen from my local Blockbuster. I am pretty confident I was the only one in my family that watched it though. The premise of two nerdy teenage boys making a girl from a computer probably only appealed to me at that time. Although my dad may have watched it. I mean, Kelly Le Brock. Need I say more?

It was silly, ridiculous, nonsensical and stupid. And I loved it. I mean, consider my age people. Once it started showing on HBO, it was one of those movies that I would watch every time. The soundtrack to the movie, like most of John Hughes’ movies’ soundtracks, was a part of my cassette collection. (I didn’t get a CD player until 1989.) The title song by Oingo Boingo was a favorite and made me dance every time I heard it.

John Hughes knew how to write about the 1980’s teenager so well it was scary. We were able to see ourselves, our friends and our classmates represented in his characters. By 1985, Anthony Michael Hall was already in three of my favorite movies. He excelled playing the out of touch, nerdy high school student. Maybe that is why I related so much to him and his movies, especially Gary from ‘Weird Science.’ I swear though, I never wore a bra on my head.

Today’s Thoughts: I know I have mentioned it at least a hundred times by now, but the 80’s rocked. I get excited every day when I get set to watch my “movie of the day,” but when I see it is from the 1980’s, that excitement is quadrupled. To prep for ‘Weird Science,’ I played and danced to Oingo Boingo. Yes, I have the title song from the movie in my iTunes Library. Don’t judge.

Ok. The movie is really bad. It is just as silly and stupid as I remember. But like a lot of 1980’s movies when you re-watch them thirty plus years later, it’s also very sexist. There are a lot of cringe-worthy comments made throughout the film. But as they say hindsight is 20/20. Despite that flaw, the movie still made me laugh.

The cast couldn’t be better. Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith play the quintessential “nerds” flawlessly. Kelly Le Brock is gorgeous (and really funny) as Lisa, the virtual woman. Bill Paxton (and his naked butt) is perfect as the obnoxious bully big brother. It was a little sad seeing him in the film knowing that he is no longer with us. But he did have a nice butt in 1985. And hello Robert Downey, Jr. No 80’s movie is complete without him.

‘Weird Science’ may not have been award winning or a huge box office hit, but it did take your mind off of things for over ninety minutes. Pure, silly escapism. Sometimes that’s all you want and need from a movie. And a killer soundtrack. Cue Oingo Boingo.

Ways to Watch: YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Hulu, DVD Availability.