The Wizard

The Wizard

Amazon.com

Less raunchy than Tommy and more conventional than Tron, The Wizard also revolves around gaming. Theres even a Bridges on board. In Tron it was Jeff, in The Wizard its Beau. As opposed to the rock operas pinball-playing "deaf, dumb, and blind kid," however, quasi-catatonic Jimmy (Luke Edwards) is a video game wiz. While the nine-year-old lives with his mother, half-brothers Corey (Fred Savage, circa The Wonder Years) and Nick (Christian Slater, fresh from Heathers) live with their father, Sam (Bridges). When Jimmy, who recently lost his sister, is placed in a home, Corey busts him out for a trip to California. (Today, Jimmys condition would be labeled post-traumatic stress disorder.) As theyre leaving Utah, they join forces with gaming enthusiast Haley (Rilo Kileys Jenny Lewis), who suggests LAs National Video Game Championships. So, off they go by foot, skateboard, and the kindness of strangers. Sam, Nick, and obnoxious bounty hunter Putnam (Will Seltzer) are close behind. The outcome may be a foregone conclusion--the fractured family makes their peace--but The Wizard still offers a nostalgic, Nintendo-laden look at 1980s gamer culture (Power Glove, Super Mario Bros. 3, etc.). Plus, sharp-eyed viewers will spot Toby Maguire milling around before the showdown at Universal Studios Theme Park. If not for the hitchhiking, gambling, and reckless automotive destruction--after Putnam takes a knife to Sams tires, Sam smashes his headlights with a shovel--the movie would be appropriate for all ages. In other words, it earns its PG rating. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Fred Savage stars in this warm-hearted family adventure that features the excitement and thrills of video game competition. Corey (Savage) refuses to let his emotionally disturbed younger brother Jimmy (Luke Edwards) be institutionalized, and the two run away together. They soon join forces with a resourceful girl (Jenny Lewis), who notices that Jimmy has a special talent: he is a "wizard" at video games and gets the high score on absolutely everything he plays. Evading their parents and a sinister bounty hunter, the trio head for a climactic showdown at the video game championships in California. Co-starring Beau Bridges and Christian Slater, its an inside look at the world of video gamers that will have you cheering the whole way.
Rate Points :4.5
Binding :DVD
Brand :Universal
Label :Universal Studios
Manufacturer :Universal Studios
MPN :MCAD29324D
ProductGroup :DVD
Studio :Universal Studios
Publisher :Universal Studios
UPC :025192932427
EAN :0025192932427
Price :$14.98USD
Lowest Price :$7.41USD
Customer ReviewsNostalgia time!
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
This movie tells the story of a quiet little boy who wants to go to California. His half brother played by Fred Savage decides that they are going to run away. The quiet kid is going to get sent to a mental institution or something, and Savage cant deal with it. Savages older brother is played by Christian Slater, and Beau Bridges plays his dad. Christian Slater doesnt really have a huge role, but its nice to see him among the cast, because he has always been one of my favorite actors because of movies like Pump up the Volume, Heathers and True Romance. I imagine the only reason he isnt one of the stars of the movie is because he hadnt become a star yet himself. Fred Savage is annoying at times, but he still gives a pretty good performance. and Beau Bridges is great. I always love seeing him. Ok, so back to the story. Fred Savage finds out his little brother is a great video game player, and when they meet a girl played by Jenny Lewis, they decide to go to a Nintendo tournament. The Nintendo tournament I thought was way too short, but its still cool. As I remember it, this movie had exclusive footage of a new game, Super Mario Bros 3. Quite exciting for a 7 or 8 year old. I cant believe I remember this movie so well. Theres just movies like that. And I was amazed at how much I liked it seeing it 18 years later. This was definitely on my list of top 5 favorite movies when I was little.

3.5/5

I didnt even know this movie was on DVD, until I saw it at the store in a double feature with another kid type movie called Cloak and Dagger. I was so happy to find this DVD.

Great Movie!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
Ordered this for my brothers bday present. He loved this movie when he was little and loves it even more now! Great price!!

Fun movie
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
Jenny Lewis is one of my favorite singers, so I really enjoy watching movies with her. Its a very popular 80s movie and it is fun. The funniest is when the video game people give the kids at the end an exclusive video game play and its Mario (I forget which version). Really makes you feel old when you remember having played that growing up...

Great Advertising. Autism Awareness. The Movie is pretty ok too.
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
This might be the greatest Nintendo Commercial ever filmed. Youve got the NES, Power Glove, Super Mario 3! Super Mario 3! You know how cool that was in 1989? Its like Call of Duty, Tetris, Doom II, and every Resident Evil combined. It was unbelievably cool. Raccoon Suit! What!?! This movie will make you want to plug the NES back in. The storyline is rather unbelievable, but who is paying any attention? Autistic runaway boy goes to crazy video game contest followed by his older brother and some girl. Its a lot like Karate Kid - Part 1 but without the crane kick. Buy it.

One long Nintendo commercial
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
Granted this movie is one long plug for Nintendo... but can you blame them. Fred Savage is hilarious and the fact that they were able to work the importance of Nintendo into a serious family drama is priceless.

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