Weird Science (1985)

I grew up watching the movies of the the late John Hughes and I love a few of them dearly. Weird Science isn't one of them....not even close. I found no charm in the movie. The humor is lazy and dim-witted. I never found myself rooting for any of the characters. In many of Hughes other movies, the characters were well drawn and had depth. These characters are a deep as the average puddle. Perhaps if this move had gone the more raunchy route it could have been better. Kind of a Porky's like vibe. The one and I do mean one bright spot is the performance of the late and in my opinion great Bill Paxton. He is like a bolt of electricity when he is on screen. There are several John Hughes movies that are worth seeing. Saying Weird Science is a waste of time us an understatement.

Two boys (Gary and Wyatt) make a woman in their bedroom. What could possibly go wrong? A few things and boy they're outrageous. John Hughes has possibly directed one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. The concept is so ridiculous by itself and the execution just puts it over the edge. There are so many good one liners and visual gags that it just puts this film into awesome territory.This film knows exactly what it is and just embraces it. Yes it can be silly,outrageous and funny but the film has heart as well. The coming of age journey that these boys go through with the help of Lisa is just really heartwarming and shows that you don't have to be popular and being yourself is all that really matters. This theme has been done many times before but the low fantasy concept breaths new life into it. Can it be dated at times? Yes a little. Can it be overly silly at times? Yes but I think that works more in the films favor rather than against it. The positives outshine the negatives.Check this film out it might surprise you. I think this film is underrated and deserves a higher average rating on the site. 8/10

Meek and socially inept computer geeks Gary Wallace (an excellent and engaging portrayal by Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt Donnelly (a likable performance by Ilan-Michael Smith) get more than they bargained for when they create the perfect woman in the form of Lisa (delightfully played with winning saucy charm and aplomb by the drop-dead gorgeous Kelly LeBrock), who turns their heretofore staid existences upside down. Writer/director John Hughes really lets it all hang out: The enjoyably off-the-wall story zips along at a breathless frantic pace, the zany humor occasionally reaches surreal heights of inspired lunacy, and the major big bash set piece is positively hysterical. Although Hughes eschews his trademark adolescent angst in favor of infectiously go-for-broke wackiness, he nonetheless brings a sweet surplus of pure heart to the proceedings by having Lisa give Gary and Wyatt valuable life lessons in self-worth and self-confidence. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Bill Paxton almost steals the entire picture with his gloriously obnoxious turn as Wyatt's overbearing older brother Chet, Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Rusler smarm it up well as a couple of jerky bullies, and Suzanne Snyder and Jodi Aronson make for fetching and appealing love interests. Vernon Wells and Michael Berryman have funny minor roles as a pair of punk thug party crashers. An absolute hoot.

Silly John Hughes comedy is much closer to his goofy and crass early works like "National Lampoon's Class Reunion" than his more thoughtful teen dramas like "The Breakfast Club" or "Pretty in Pink." Hughes mines teen fantasy wish fulfillment when nerdy Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith make a woman, Kelly LeBrock, who helps them become cool and meet cute girls. Since the film is a fantasy, it does allow it to have over-the-top characters, like Bill Paxton's Chet, or have Road Warriors crash a party on their motorcycles (who include Michael Berryman and actual Road Warrior alumni, Vernon Wells), though I never really cared for most of Hughes pictures that were broad comedies along these line (i.e. "The Great Outdoors" or "Beethoven"). I prefer his more sincere of comedies, including everything from classics like those mentioned above to even lesser ones like "Career Opportunities" or "Dutch." Still, there's an 80s nostalgia factor here for me, which earned this film an extra star.