Customer Reviews

The Wizard [VHS]

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I absolutely love this movie! It's right up there with 'The 'Burbs' and 'The Lost Boys.' Okay, sue me. I'm a sucker for corny 80's movies, but can you blame me? I'm not a real big fan of todays over the top special effects...I mean, what are they trying to prove? On another note, of course this was probably the biggest advertisement Nintendo ever had or ever will have, but you can't sit there and say you didn't buy into it. This movie also hooked me onto the song, "Send Me An Angel" by Real Life. For people who haven't seen this movie before, I would highly advise that you see it if you are a fan of 80's movies. Don't expect anything too fancy out of this, but that's the fun part about it. It's a great storyline all the same without the glitz and glamour that Hollywood can shove into a movie and make you go crazy.

This is one of those movies that will have you reminiscing to your childhood. Well, if you grew up in the 80's anyway. It is esentially a full-length Nintendo commercial but it's so much fun. Fresh-faced Fred Savage is Corey, the brother of Jimmy, a painfully-quiet kid who is secretly a Nintendo prodigy. When Corey learns that Jimmy may get taken to a home for kids with special needs, he kidnaps his brother and the two go on an adventure to California. Of course, they come across the evil goon that their mother has hired to bring them back and countless thugs who don't like losing their hard-earned money in a Nintendo hustle. But that's nothing compared to Jimmy's cocky arch nemesis, Lucas, the flamboyant Apollo Creed to Jimmy's Rocky Balboa who owns every Nintendo game in existence as well as the unstoppable Power Glove accessory that allows him to make short work of his opposition.

"The Wizard" is about as shameless as commercial films get but it is entertaining. Having the top male TV heart throb in a movie that pretty much advertises every Nintendo game ever made at the time is sure to make a nice amount of bank. Throwing in Christian Slater wasn't a bad touch either. This ranks right up there with "True Romance" as his finest performance. The surprise cameo appearance by the never-before-seen "Super Mario Bros. 3" was impressive in its own right.

"The Wizard" is somewhat of a cult 80's movie that is fantastic to watch. Actually, I should qualify that. The movie is dated. I think even for '89 it was terribly dated. But if you were a child of the 80's then you could certainly relate to this movie and you will appreciate everything it stands for.

"The Wizard" stars The Wonder Years star, Fred Savage as Corey Woods. Corey is trying to save his younger brother from being institutionalized. Luke Edwards plays The Wizard, aka Jimmy Woods; an emotionally crippled little boy who has trouble articulating his thoughts.

The first 10 or 15 minutes of the movie are somewhat slow-moving. But it really picks up once Corey and Jimmy hit the road and meet Haley. Eighties tween-movie maven, Jenny Lewis plays the part of the very grown-up Haley extraordinarily. They all finally come up with a plan once they see Jimmy ace a video game at a bus station.

So, Jimmy, Haley and Corey all set out to hitch across 3 states (UT and NV) to make it to the video game championships (in CA.) I know this is a little far-fetched and maybe even a little screw-ballish. But think of it from a kid's perspective (after all this is a kid's movie.) Along the way, they have a few adventures in Reno while Jimmy bones up on his gaming. They also have to dodge Tate. Vince Trankina plays Tate, a smarmy detective hired by Jimmy's parents to track him down. It was so funny when Haley screamed, "he touched my breasts" and the security men all carry him out of the casino before he could run off with Jimmy!

They all finally make it to CA, with the help of a trucker that Haley has befriended. Once at the championships, Corey's father and brother also show up looking for them (Christian Slater played Nick & Beau Bridges played Sam Woods.) It gets a little confusing, Jimmy is Corey and Nick's half-brother from Sam's second marriage to Jimmy's mother. It's a shame Christian Slater's part wasn't any bigger because he played a really good tough older brother.

As a kid, my favorite scenes were during the video game tournament. Because, it was the first time I ever saw Super Mario Bros. 3. Eighteen years later, compared to even the most basic games it's like watching an antiquated dinosaur; but it's still fun to watch because it brings back fond memories.

Anyway, the rest of the movie is pretty much predictable. There was a cute moment at the end when it was explained why Jimmy really wanted to go to California in the first place. Also, it loosely made viewers think that Haley was going to live with Corey and his father; at least that was the impression that I got.

"The Wizard" is a great picture for kids because there isn't any violence or profane language. I also recommend this movie to anyone that likes classic video games or to anyone that just likes corny 80's films. If you liked this movie, then you'd probably also like: Baby Boom, Heathers (THX Version), The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition), Troop Beverly Hills, The Witches, Mermaids, Adventures in Babysitting, The Karate Kid (Special Edition), Who's That Girl? and The Best of the Wonder Years.

Also known as "The Joystick King," "The Wizard" was just added to Comcast's on-demand menu. And for 100 minutes I got to forget about my everyday-problems and remember what it was like to be a kid again.

i remember when this movie came out, man, makes me feel old. okay, this is back when fred savage was cute and jenny lewis was just a little thing. it was also my first glemse of luke edwards.
this is not a movie about video games though video games have so much to do with the film.
3 kids embark on a cross country trip to a NES championship. 2 brothers are being separated. ones mentally ill but has a strong knack for video games.
this movie will make you laugh and its also got its serious scenes.
its a kids movie, an adults movie and its not corney. its definatly one of those "takes you back in time" movies. makes me miss those days. also made me want to go back and find a vintage NES player cause mines busted. back when video games were actually fun stradegy games. now the closest i get to my youth is playing old video games at the movie theatre because have you noticed, there arent even arcades anymore, there use to be arcades at every mall and now their all closing down.

This movie contains one of the most precisely realized moments in cinema history. Lucas' declaration of his love for the glove is staggering -- the music, the sincerity and gravity of his line deliverance, the writing, the historical fact that the glove never caught on because it didn't actually...well, work, the fact that the movie's primary purpose is really that of a commercial, and yet still, the total, honest embrace of the moment by all involved. The more you watch it, the more it blows the mind.

Movie is very fun, knows what it is and is snappily directed. Added bonus If you know all the Nintendo games from the era; it will have you happily tripping along memory lane.

This is the movie that reminds me of my childhood more than anything. Mostly it's because of the Nintendo. I was a junkie by age 9 when this movie came out. But the other big reason I loved this movie is because I identified with Jimmy, the autistic kid who goes on to become the video game champion. I was diagnosed as being autistic (wrongly, but still...) because I'm so quiet like Jimmy. This movie proves to me that the little quiet kid can triumph over the older punk who "has all 88 games." Sadly, Lucas Edwards (Jimmy) is now on MTV's Undressed. Is nothing sacred? This movie gives you anything you want. There are scenes of action (Beau Bridges getting into fights with the cop searching for the kids), humor (Jimmy and Corey hiding in the back of a Hostess cupcake van), terror (when those farmers find them in the back of their truck with the pigs), and the first time we hear Jimmy speak, when he's looking at a map of the US saying "California... California..."

I was just thinking of that quote where Lucas takes out his Power Glove and says "I love the power glove.... it's so bad" when I saw that quote mentioned in a review below. That is no doubt a line that will live on for eternity.

When Fred Savage meets up with the kid villain Lucas, what follows is pure cinematic gold. Lucas is sitting in a chair with his over-sized sunglasses on, surrounded by about 4 of his faithful followers as if he is some kind of celebrity rock star. He takes Fred Savage into his house and proceeds to play Rad Racer with some sort of strange proto-type secret weapon in the world of 1989 video games. It happens to be (gasp) the Nintendo Power Glove. Savage's jaw drops as he witnesses the awesome spectacle of Lucas racking up the points with the glove. When finishes, he turns to the stunned onlookers and says "I love the Power Glove. It's so bad." Best movie moment ever. I got chills. That alone makes the movie worth your time and money.

Wow I couldn't believe it that the Wizard was finally coming out on DVD!!!! This was the best news ever...There has been so many bootleg versions of this film and I didn't want to spend money on a cheap imitation of this NES classic film. The story embarks you on a tale of pre-teen adventure. Jimmy is left in state of shock after death of his twin sister and has become a guru for video games. Corey played by Fred Savage is his older brother that kidnaps him, so he can be free from the institution he was being placed in. Along the way Corey and Jimmy meet Hailey. Hailey is from Reno the biggest little city and lives basically alone because her dad is a trucker. The three of them form a bond, that leads them all the way to Video Armaggedon which is the first time Super Mario Bros. 3 is released for the world to see. And on the way they face a crazy cop, bullies, lack of money, and so much more. This is a movie that I would wake up and put in the VCR every Saturday morning that I could. It's a tale that many people who are classic gamers would enjoy and also kids and pre-teens. The film some say is a bit cheesy and juvenile but for anyone that had NES in their youth it's completely worth it...For everyone who spent endless hours trying to beat Shredder in TMNT...Thought that Double Dragon was the ultimate game... And your eyes soared open when you saw Mario fly for the first time! This movie is for you...

Now a days you can't go anywhere without hearing of some new video game system coming out. Long lines out the door in the hopes to get one of the latest generation video game systems or the various games that are available on said system.

Back in 1989, things weren't too differnet. The graphics may not have been up to today's standards but there was one king on the block that everyone had to know. That was Nintendo. The 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System was a must have for kids young and old alike. With games varying from sports, action and adventure this was the must have system of the late 1980's and early 1990's.

This movie, pretty much takes a look at life when focused on a young boy, Jimmy and his natural talent dealing with the Nintendo Entertainment System. He is a natural wiz at any and all games, yet doesn't speak much except for exclaiming his desire to go to "California". Fred Savage as Corey, sets out on an adventure with his half brother Jimmy in what seems like a quest to California to compete in the Video Game Championships at Universal Studios.

Along the way they meet up with Haley, played by Jenny Lewis, who becomes their female compainon in their quest to reach California and get out of trouble that they happen to get into as they avoid the parents and the bounty hunter who are all after the boys who left without permission on this quest to reach the video game tournement.

The movie has a very 1980's feel to it. It comes off as an advertisement of sorts for all things Nintendo. You have the use of the ill fated "Power Glove" that one of the kids rivals who will be at said tournement uses while they challenge him in his home town on the way to California. There is even a point where Haley is on the phone with the "Nintendo Game Councelors" getting much needed help on every and any game for the NES. Of course not telling us watchers of this movie how much that really would have costs as most people knew it was not a free service as they were showing in the movie. Also while on the phone the names of various popular games are being mentioned left and right, a lot of the games not possibly ever going to be used in the tournament as they are RPG in nature. There was even one point where Corey's father and brother (played by Beau Bridges and Christian Slater) have to get their car fixed and pop out a NES to play on a small TV in the repair garage. It was moments like this that dumbed down the movie a bit. What could have been great, really comes off as a dated commercial for how wonderful the NES is and how even adults use it and get a kick out of it.

The biggest and probably main draw of the movie, was the fact that it proudly displayed a long awaited game at this time "Super Mario Bros 3" which was not even out in game stores at the time this movie was in theaters. I won't give away the details surrounding the use of this game, but it was a real reason that people ran out to see this movie. As the Super Mario craze was alive and well at this time and just for the sight of the next edition of the long running Mario saga, was a reason that most Nintendo fans had to see this film. Yours truly included. That thrill of seeing the game used in this movie is probably not as big a deal now with the game already out for so many years and in differnet editions but if you can take yourself back to this time period and put the advertisement factors aside, you will see why this is a cool moment in the film.

Advertisements aside, the movie is a blast to watch again. It comes off as a great piece of pure nostalgia. Remembering a time when things were easy and simplistic yet still fun. A lot of people who were in their teen's when this movie came out all probably wished that they were stars in such things as a video game competition. This movie really plays up on the idea of going cross country just to prove one's worth in said tourny, but also shows that the kids who were the focus, were more then just video game crazed kids wanting to show off their skills. We learn towards the end that there really was other goals then just video games behind the whole film. So what turns out to be a kid just wanting to win a video game championship turns out to be about much more. Again not the deepest of moments but at least they did try to make the story more then just being to play video games and nothing else.

Over all, this film comes off as a weird mixture of "Over the Top", "The Fugitive" and "The Goonies" sponsored by Nintendo. It should also be noted that Universal who made this film, decides to get in on the advertising in the movie as well of their own brand, proudly showing various characters and locations in Universal Studios, California where the tournament takes place. Once you get past all the ads within, you will find a fun and enjoyable film that I think all in the family should enjoy. It's not the most creative or deepest of stories ever seen in a movie, but it is fun and you start to root for the kids and get involved in the situation you find yourself in as if you too were on a similar quest to just accomplish something and to have your parents understand what you are going through.

It's a fun watch and a great trip down memory lane. The NES may be a memory now, but this is one trip down memory lane you won't be sorry getting. And of course like most 1980's movies, everything works out happily ever after in this story, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Check it out. If you haven't seen it, it will be a new and great experience, especially if you were a kid growing up in the 1980's and if you did see it, see it again as this is one of those hidden treasures that you will be glad to see after not having seen it in so long.

Over the years I have read many reviews about this movie stating that this whole movie was just a big advertising scheme for nintendo - to sell Super Mario 3 and more nintendos. If that is true...... you know what? I DONT CARE!!! I loved this movie as a kid and I still do today. Hey the average game player's age today is 25 years old. Video games are not just for kids anymore.

This movie is basically about a family that is experiencing many problems: divorce, a death in the family, family communication problems, and a special needs child (Jimmy). Due to all of these family problems, Jimmy, the little boy in the movie with the special needs, is put into an institution against the wishes of his older brother Cory (Fred Savage). From there the adventure begins. Corey breaks his brother out of the institution and heads for California. Along the way, he finds out his brother has a gift.... he's a genius when it comes to video games.

Thats all I want to really say about the movie. I dont want to totally spoil it for you if you havent watched it yet. This is a great family film. It can be watched by all ages. I already had it on VHS however now I have it on DVD. If you or your kids love video games too, you should own this also.

Daniel