WEIRD SCIENCE (1985)

MORGAN'S RATING

Two unpopular teenagers, Gary and Wyatt, fail at all attempts to be accepted by their peers. Their desperation to be liked leads them to "create" a woman via their computer. Their living and breathing creation is a gorgeous woman, Lisa, who's purpose is to boost their confidence level by putting them into situations which require Gary and Wyatt to act like men. On their road to become accepted they encounter many hilarious obstacles which gives the movie an overall sense of silliness.

Anthony Michael Hall (Gary), Kelly LeBrock (Lisa), Ilan Mitchell-Smith (Wyatt), Bill Paxton (Chet Donnelly), Suzanne Snyder (Deb), Judie Aronson (Hilly), Robert Downey Jr. (Ian), Robert Rusler (Max), Vernon Wells (Lord General), Britt Leach (Al), Barbara Lang (Lucy), Michael Berryman (Mutant Biker), Ivor Barry (Henry), Anne Bernadette Coyle (Carmen), Suzy J. Kellems (Gymnast), John Kapelos (Dino), Fred D. Scott, Vince Townsend Jr., Chino 'Fats' Williams (Bar Patrons), Jill Whitlow (Susan), Theodocia Goodrich (Lingirie Saleswoman), Wallace Langham (Art), Johnny Timko, Mikul Robins, Darren Harris, Renee Props, Michael Cramer, Todd Hoffman (The Weenies), D'Mitch Davis (Bartender), Doug MacHugh, Pamela Gordon (Wyatt's Parents), Steve James (Guy at Table, uncredited).

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE. WEIRD SCIENCE.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: John Hughes. WRITER: John Hughes. PRODUCER: Joel Silver. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Jane Vickerilla. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Ira Newborn, Alf Clausen (additional music), Danny Elfman (title song), Jimmy Iovine (special musical material). DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: August 2nd, 1985  (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $4.8 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $23.8 million (USA) - John Hughes wrote the film in two days. - Vernon Wells plays Wez (unnamed here), the same character he played in The Road Warrior (1981). His vehicle, with two hooded corpses on it, is also the same as in that film. - Anthony Michael Hall makes a reference to a girlfriend from Canada. His character Brian from The Breakfast Club also makes a reference to an imaginary girlfriend from Canada. - Both words in the title break the orthographical rule of thumb "i before e except after c." - Wyatt's computer is a Memotech MTX512 with an FDX add-on. - All of John Hughes movies are set in Shermer, IL, of which there is no such place. - Kelly LeBrock's character name was inspired by Apple Computer's first PC, the Apple Lisa.

QUOTES

Chet: Do you realize that it is snowing in my room, goddammit!

Wyatt: You know Gary, for the first time in my life; I don't feel like a total dick.

Lisa: You okay? Gary: Well, my nuts are halfway up my ass, but other than that, I'm perfect.

Gary: I want to see her aerobicize.

Chet: You two donkey-dicks couldn't get laid in a morgue.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Weird Science is funnier, and a little deeper, than the predictable story it might have been." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"Appalling excuse from comedy; tasteless and endless, unredeemed by Hughes's sharp teenage dialogue and Hall's engaging performance." -- Leonard Maltin