Weird Science (1985)
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Two nerdy high school students use a computer to create a woman with reality-altering powers.
The story
Nerdy social outcast students Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly of Shermer High School are humiliated by senior jocks Ian and Max for swooning over their cheerleader girlfriends Deb and Hilly. Seeking a way to gain popularity and win their crushes away from the bullies, Gary convinces Wyatt that they need a boost. Alone for the weekend, Gary is inspired by the film Frankenstein to use Wyatt's computer to create a virtual woman. After a power surge during a high-tech experiment, they create Lisa, a beautiful and intelligent woman with reality-altering powers who takes them on a wild adventure.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After creating Lisa, the boys go on a wild ride involving a 1959 Cadillac, a trip to a blues dive bar, and a party at Wyatt's house. Lisa's presence causes chaos, including a reality-warping incident involving a missile and a transformation of Wyatt's mean brother, Chet, into a toad-like creature. The boys eventually confront the bullies and the bikers who have taken the girls hostage, leading the girls to fall for them. Lisa eventually de-materializes after fulfilling her purpose, and the house is magically restored. Later, she appears as the new gym teacher at their school.
- First release year
- 1985
- Runtime (minutes)
- 94
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Hughes
- Writers
- John Hughes · writer
- Cast and characters
- Anthony Michael Hall · Gary; Ilan Mitchell-Smith · Wyatt; Kelly LeBrock · Lisa; John Kapelos · Dino
- Genres
- teen science fantasy comedy; science fiction comedy; sex comedy
- Themes
- coming-of-age; artificial intelligence; bullying
- Tone and mood
- comedy; fantasy
- Premise and plot tags
- teen; buddy; science fiction; fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Made of the Future by Al Feldstein
- Content notes
- sex comedy
- Reception
- The film is regarded as a cult classic and received positive reviews, though critics were divided on its tone and execution.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 60% · scale: percentage · review count: 40
- Production trivia
- The title song was performed by Oingo Boingo.; The film includes a cameo by Kym Malin.; The film incorporated clips from Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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