I saw this movie when it came out. I was a computer salesman at a computer store, and a guy I worked with was a slightly uglier version of Matthew Broderick and was a total whiz kid as well. He could have been his stand in, and likely given technical assistance to the film. So there was that point, and I did like the premise. I remember finding it mildly entertaining, and of course I liked "the line" about playing the game at the end.
But, I just watched this again last night, or should I say, tried to.
First, the David character is a dick. He is through the entire movie. We are supposed to root for him, but his hacking is causing a total disaster to start. And he never pays for it. He's a cheat in school, and he insults his well-meaning teacher for no reason.
His parents are portrayed as disconnected fools...while their son is trying to scam companies out of their latest innovations by hacking into their systems, dad take 20 minutes to get the butter on his corn and mom is even more oblivious.
There's supposed to be some sort of romance with the Ally Sheedy character, but she bounces around almost identically to the big mangy dog she likes to play with. I am surprised she didn't lick David upon seeing him.
Then there is the parade of geeks and idiot government hacks. Of course, the main military guy is a fat blowhard. Did we miss any other stereotypes?
Now watching over 30 years later!!!! I had to turn the thing off in the first hour, it was enough. Sometimes nostalgia is best left in the mind. 5 stars for ideas and production values only.
But, I just watched this again last night, or should I say, tried to.
First, the David character is a dick. He is through the entire movie. We are supposed to root for him, but his hacking is causing a total disaster to start. And he never pays for it. He's a cheat in school, and he insults his well-meaning teacher for no reason.
His parents are portrayed as disconnected fools...while their son is trying to scam companies out of their latest innovations by hacking into their systems, dad take 20 minutes to get the butter on his corn and mom is even more oblivious.
There's supposed to be some sort of romance with the Ally Sheedy character, but she bounces around almost identically to the big mangy dog she likes to play with. I am surprised she didn't lick David upon seeing him.
Then there is the parade of geeks and idiot government hacks. Of course, the main military guy is a fat blowhard. Did we miss any other stereotypes?
Now watching over 30 years later!!!! I had to turn the thing off in the first hour, it was enough. Sometimes nostalgia is best left in the mind. 5 stars for ideas and production values only.