Film Round-Up #41

I don't think any regular readers here need reminding of my fondness for things of the 80s. Admittedly, my main focus in that area is normally games, but we must never forget the wonder that was 80s cinema. I saw many fine examples at the time, I've seen some others long after that glorious decade ended, and there are even some well known titles I've never seen. In the first of what will probably be several posts on the subject, here's a look at five (hopefully) great examples:

WarGames (1983)

I only seem to recall watching this one with my dad when I was pretty young but I thought I remembered it. It turns out that was only partly true but one thing's for sure - it must've been one of the first films based around computery stuff. Matthew Broderick stars as nerdy Seattle student David Lightman who hacks into what he believes is a videogame company only to set in motion a 'war game' simulation by accident. This wouldn't be so bad but the simulation is being run by WOPR, the NORAD computer which was actually the one David hacked into, and it makes the US military think the Soviets are really attacking! I thought I remembered there being more time spent in front of computer screens with David and the WOPR contraption trying to outwit each other but he spends most of his time sneaking around NORAD or running around with Jennifer (Ally Sheedy) trying to save the day. My poor memory doesn't make it a bad film though, and despite the obviously-outdated technology, perhaps even because of it, I really enjoyed seeing this one again... 8/10

The Goonies (1985)

I definitely watched this one when I was younger but it can't have been more than once or twice as I didn't remember any of it really (besides Sloth of course) prior to rewatching it for this post. I was really looking forward to it though. I'm sure most film fans, especially my age and up, know the story - bunch of kids find a treasure map and set off in pursuit with dastardly-yet-bumbling criminals hot on their tail. Simple enough. Unfortunately, for me at least, it seems to have lost a little of that magic that many 80's films still have today. I certainly didn't hate it but, contrary to reviewers of the day it seems, I enjoyed the beginning part more than the actual treasure hunting underground. Here, I was surprised by how much we saw of Andy's panties - not the sort of thing I was old enough to notice before, I guess - but also by how short and silly I found it. Most of the cast are pretty good and it is decent enough fun, I just didn't find the amazing, all-time great I was expecting to, and nor was I overcome with nostalgia. I can see why some still adore it though... 7/10

Weird Science (1985)

Yes that's right, it's that film that made everyone in the world fall in love with Kelly LeBrock! She is of course the 'dream woman' who is conjured up in a highly plausible experiment by social outcasts Gary and Wyatt (Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith), with the objective being (I think) to make them more popular somehow. This is, unsurprisingly, something that comes fairly easily when you're parading a smart, super-hot older woman around town, especially one with magical powers like a Q from Star Trek, enabling her to give them snazzy clothes, cool cars, etc. Watching this when I was around the same age as the two nerdy protagonists, it was the greatest thing ever, real wish-fulfilment feel-good stuff. Watching it now, its silliness obviously shows much more, and Gary and Wyatt are a bit annoying too (particularly the former when he's drunk), but LeBrock is still lovely and there are some great scenes and funny moments. I was particularly amused to see a young Robert Downey Jr. as one of the jocks who torment the two guys. It's a film of its time I suppose, and has aged accordingly, but for old time's sake... 7/10

Pretty in Pink (1986)

The third and final film in the Molly Ringwald Holy Trinity that lit up the mid-80s for many, and it's one I never got around to watching at that time, or indeed any time until now for this post, perhaps because I was too tough and cool to watch a film with 'pretty' or 'pink' in its title, never mind both (chortle!). It turns out I was accidentally wise to never see it though, for I did not enjoy it. Perhaps not surprisingly, it's a high school rom-com starring Ringwald as 18-year old Andie who is nearing the end of her school time but has yet to be asked to the prom. Her childhood best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) is in love with her but reluctant to tell her, while she has caught the eye of Blane (Andrew McCarthy), one of the rich kids. Despite taking her on the worst first date in the history of the universe, however, Blane merely has to utter the word 'prom' to get her tongue in his mouth, but he soon starts catching flak from the other 'richies' for associating with one of the working class girls. Will he favour friends or the girl? Will she care by that point? And what about poor old Duckie exhausting himself just trying to catch a smile or a kind word? Sadly, for me at least, aside from the fairly amusing Duckie, none of the characters are very likeable so I didn't really give a crap. Maybe it's a film of its time, maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea (more likely), but it's not one I'll be revisiting in any case... 4/10

Adventures in Babysitting (1987)

I don't quite know how I managed to miss this one growing up, what with it starring arguably the hottest girl of the 80's, Elisabeth Shue, but watching it for this feature was somehow my first time. And second since this post has taken me long enough that I've watched it again! I guess that's a good indication of my newfound appreciation of Chris Parker (Shue) and the adventure that accidentally befalls her and the kids she's babysitting as she undertakes what should be a routine drive into the city to pick up her idiotic friend who has run away from home. Naturally, various disasters instead come their way, mostly as a result of attracting the attention of some rather persistent crims. So, they have to shake these goons, get their car back, pick up the friend, and get back home before the kids parents get home that night. This means lots of panicking and running around while meeting various 'colourful' characters in the big city. Of course, it's not terribly realistic and there are some strange decisions made by some characters, but when even some of the bad guys are likeable, you know you're in for an easy-but-fun ride. Ignore the silliness and enjoy... 8/10