knudsen@ihnss.UUCP (06/29/83)
Nobody has seemed to notice the most improbable plot event in "WarGames": that a non-social, non-athletic boy whose only intrest is computer hacking & games should end up kissing a beautiful girl whose main interest is jogging, aerobic dancing, and other trendy getting physical. David finally seems to recognize the enormity of this mismatch when, on Dr. Falken's island, he admits to Jennifer that he suffers the same physical defect as the frog in the Frogger game. But this well-made film makes this seem plausible, as it does with the more techinical issues. First, David shows he isn't so square as to be into adult morality (by fixing grades). Second, he can explain articulately his interest in computers (boy, don't we wish...)-- when she asks "what's so special about playing games with a computer" he answers "But this one can Learn from its mistakes!" I've found that a sincere desire to share one's interests with others who are socially "above" such things can in fact work. And of course David shows genuine concern that he may be blowing up the human race, and Jennifer is old-fashioned enough to like people who care. And so we believe. In this respect the movie is PRO-technology, in showing that, properly introduced and explained and demonstrated, computing is attractive to attractive (pun?) and not necessarily "intelligent" people, i.e., anyone can love it. In fact, this flick does more to UNDO the NURD stereotype than anything else has lately. Two genuine nurds are shown to prove the point that we're not all like that (all the time...). Say, how come everyone picks technical nits and nobody ever discusses the human angle of plots in sci-fi movies? Those kids are as real as the people in Officer & Gentleman (within an order magnitude) so let's give some equal time. mike k
TOPAZ:fantods@ucbvax.UUCP (06/29/83)
That's another reason I liked the movie. I have dreaded going to any movie aimed at "teenage" audiences this summer, because of the "Porky's II Effect", that is, "Let's be male and party and rape gorgeous chicks and laugh and drink and destroy things and be TEENAGERS!!!!!" Gah! So I was very pleasantly surprised to find the two main characters in WarGames acting with a modicum of humanity toward each other, even if the film is in the class of "summer exploitation flick" for the most part. Also, the reason everyone is getting mad at the misrepresentation of computer usage in the movie is that it's much CLOSER than most movies get, hence more believable, and more dangerous in its own way, since explaining how it all "couldn't happen that way" requires someone with a fair background in computers. But, it's a step. I think that those who are mad at the representation of computer professionals in the movie should knock the chips off of their shoulders and go see it if they haven't. Remember that what you've seen has been digested and spewed out through fifty script changes, many different writers, producers, editors, directors, etc, etc, etc. Hell, I'm always surprised when ANY technical, or rather "out-of-the-way" field gets presented in any way close to reality. WARGAMES is VERY close to reality, which is why you're getting pissed. You want it to take that last little step. Don't get pissed, be glad that it's finally taken things a little closer, and wait for next time. Sorry about the lenght, and the redundancy, but I think this movie deserves most of the praise it gets. It's not GREAT, but it's pretty fine overall for a summer throwaway release. Richard Moorman
bernie@watarts.UUCP (07/08/83)
I'm amazed that so many people are taking "Wargames" seriously. Anyone with any knowledge of (a) computers, (b) telecommunications, (c) the military would realize that the movie is pure fantasy from beginning to end. Good, entertaining fantasy... but fantasy nevertheless. As someone already pointed out, it's "The Forbin Project" with some polish on it.