My random retro-thread: "The Wizard" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

WaterLoo · 02-12-2009, 10:00 AM

Anyone remember this movie, "The Wizard", that came out in 1989? It stars Fred Savage as a 12-year-old boy who has a 6-year-old autistic half-brother and he helps him escape from being placed in a special home by springing him from an institution and because of his knack for videogame playing, takes him to California to win a videogame contest, or something? Anyway, I just saw it again for the first time in twenty years on TV and forgot how good/bad it was.

First of all, when I went to see it back in '89, being the Nintendo-obsessed geek that I was, I was both disappointed and pleasantly surprised by this movie. Disappointed because I thought there'd be alot more game-playing and surprised because it actually had a nice story to it. My twin sister insisted I take her, because she was obsessed with both Fred Savage and Christian Slater (she also made me go with her to see "Little Monsters" that same year, which is one of the worst movies ever made).

However, watching now, I can't help but feel this movie is wrong on many levels. Firstly, if this film is/was aimed at kids, then what message were we sending out here by showing them hitchiking across town, going all the way to Reno by themselves and gambling? Not to mention the red-haired 13-year-old girl who manages to stop a bad guy by yelling out, "HE TOUCHED MY BREAST!!!!!" Pretty brilliant, but very unsettling considering this was a 13-year-old. And what was the deal with that very old man wearing a green speedo and dress shoes standing near Fred Savage?

Anyway, like I said, one of those rare films that I find myself neutral on. And by the way, the little video "Wizard" is the same kid who played the teenage baseball manager in "Little Big League" and he was recently in an episode of "Priviliged". I think his name is Luke Edwards and he's now nearing the big 3-0!!

MrCleveland · 02-12-2009, 02:16 PM

Good article.

Ever seen the AVGN review?

If not...here it is....http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33161.html

WaterLoo · 02-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Yeah, it's pretty funny. The Nostalgia Critic's review is even funnier.

JamesG · 02-13-2009, 06:26 AM

Yes, I remember this one.

I remember one of the main hypes about it was that we got to see Super Mario Brothers 3 before it was released in the US.

WaterLoo · 02-17-2009, 11:51 AM

I actually bought "SM3" after seeing this movie. The best out of all three I say.

JamesG · 02-17-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterLoo

I actually bought "SM3" after seeing this movie. The best out of all three I say.

Yep, 3 was a very good game. I got that whistle and I just skipped right to the last board. I NEVER played the entire game.

And about Wizard, without a doubt this movie was one big commercial for Nintendo and Universal Studios.

WaterLoo · 02-17-2009, 03:52 PM

Yeah. It was, like, every kid's fantasy, this movie. The only thing is I didn't like it when Hailey punched out Fred Savage. I know I may sound overly sensitive, but I feel as though violence against males at the hands of females is way too acceptable. Actually, there was an awful lot of adults roughing up kids in this movie (one even got a bloody nose). However, I never made it through the entire "SMB3" game, but my older brother did.

02-12-2009, 10:00 AM	#1
WaterLoo Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 86	My random retro-thread: "The Wizard" Anyone remember this movie, "The Wizard", that came out in 1989? It stars Fred Savage as a 12-year-old boy who has a 6-year-old autistic half-brother and he helps him escape from being placed in a special home by springing him from an institution and because of his knack for videogame playing, takes him to California to win a videogame contest, or something? Anyway, I just saw it again for the first time in twenty years on TV and forgot how good/bad it was. First of all, when I went to see it back in '89, being the Nintendo-obsessed geek that I was, I was both disappointed and pleasantly surprised by this movie. Disappointed because I thought there'd be alot more game-playing and surprised because it actually had a nice story to it. My twin sister insisted I take her, because she was obsessed with both Fred Savage and Christian Slater (she also made me go with her to see "Little Monsters" that same year, which is one of the worst movies ever made). However, watching now, I can't help but feel this movie is wrong on many levels. Firstly, if this film is/was aimed at kids, then what message were we sending out here by showing them hitchiking across town, going all the way to Reno by themselves and gambling? Not to mention the red-haired 13-year-old girl who manages to stop a bad guy by yelling out, "HE TOUCHED MY BREAST!!!!!" Pretty brilliant, but very unsettling considering this was a 13-year-old. And what was the deal with that very old man wearing a green speedo and dress shoes standing near Fred Savage? Anyway, like I said, one of those rare films that I find myself neutral on. And by the way, the little video "Wizard" is the same kid who played the teenage baseball manager in "Little Big League" and he was recently in an episode of "Priviliged". I think his name is Luke Edwards and he's now nearing the big 3-0!!

02-12-2009, 02:16 PM	#2
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,226	Good article. Ever seen the AVGN review? If not...here it is....http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33161.html
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

02-12-2009, 02:39 PM	#3
WaterLoo Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 86	Yeah, it's pretty funny. The Nostalgia Critic's review is even funnier.

02-13-2009, 06:26 AM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,127	Yes, I remember this one. I remember one of the main hypes about it was that we got to see Super Mario Brothers 3 before it was released in the US.

02-17-2009, 11:51 AM	#5
WaterLoo Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 86	I actually bought "SM3" after seeing this movie. The best out of all three I say.

02-17-2009, 03:52 PM	#7
WaterLoo Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 86	Yeah. It was, like, every kid's fantasy, this movie. The only thing is I didn't like it when Hailey punched out Fred Savage. I know I may sound overly sensitive, but I feel as though violence against males at the hands of females is way too acceptable. Actually, there was an awful lot of adults roughing up kids in this movie (one even got a bloody nose). However, I never made it through the entire "SMB3" game, but my older brother did.