WarGames

30 years, has it been that long? Nothing dates a film quite like a starring role for cutting edge computing technology. By all rights WarGames should be feeling its age. What keeps it remarkably fresh is an unpatronising approach to what is ostensibly a family friendly thriller, and a set of ideas that rightly presses all the right buttons. Three years before Ferris Bueller's Day Off, John Badham's film stars Matthew Broderick as a high school loner who hacks into the system to change his grades. Except he doesn't stop there, hacking into what he thinks is a videogames company, hoping to try out their latest titles. What he actually finds is a top secret military simulator, which feeds into a missile launch system and becomes real. While the audience is busy processing the moral issues, the drama is kept taut with a series of flashpoints that do justice to the weight of overhanging nuclear disaster. There's still plenty of time for Broderick to dash around with co star Ally Sheedy and look adorably mischievous, and therein lies the secret to the film's lasting success, an easy ability to combine teen adventure with meaningful commentary, finished off with a powerful metaphor that's simple enough for a machine to understand. Wargames is a rare thing, as back in the 80's when we lived on a knife edge with both sides having fingers poised on the button it was brave enough and smart enough to be a family movie that has not afraid the scare the hell out of the families. I loved this film as a teenager and recently my fifteen year old daughter has watched it and although the equipment has dated and there is probably more power in her mobile phone than used in the computers in the film she too was thrilled by it's energy and also fascinated by the nuclear shadow we once lived under. As a parent in today's times the 80's did seem so much more safer back then, as at least then we knew who our enemies were. See if you like..... Tron. H. A. L. Project X. Red Dawn. By Dawns Early Light. Threads. Short Circuit. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I hadn't realised this was such an old film, and it felt very dated. I also hadn't realised it was aimed at kids, and so don't feel justified in criticising it too much. Entertaining but that's all. Watch Dr Strangelove instead.

Thoroughly entertaining will watch it over and over again

This is still a good movie despite its age, and despite the hopelessly out of date computer technology depicted in it. I still felt panicky at the end, which is what a thriller-type movie is supposed to do. Of course, it plays on the Cold War paranoias, so it is definitely a product of its time, but worth watching anyway.

Great film! Was exactly what i expected of it!

Was a bit shady in places, but a young Mr Broderick was still in top form. A great film to chill out to with a nice glass of wine and an enthusiastic mood!

Recommend...