Spooky Movie Month Day #4 – WarGames

October 4th

Since today was “technological apocalypse day” here in the US as conspiracies fly about emergency alerts, GMO mosquitoes and hidden microchips, we decided to watch an old favorite, one the kids have never seen:

WarGames!

Okay, so technically this isn’t spooky, but it does fall under the category of “sci-fi” and it is suspenseful, so it still counts. 

WarGames was directed by John Badham released in 1983 during the Cold War. It tells the tale of a teenage genius finding his way into the backdoor of a top secret war simulation computer and accidentally starting a game that could get everyone on Earth killed. Written by Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes and Walon Green, this movie featuring 80’s favorites Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy doesn’t just tell the story of a computer out of control – it’s a carefully woven, cautionary tale asking us face the realty of war with the conclusion; “The only winning move is not to play”. 

Dragon felt the tension and anxiety pretty heavy in this movie and even asked to leave a few times, but stayed close to listen from the other room and then rejoined us at the end, relieved and loving it.

Lion loved the whole thing and was enwrapped from beginning to end. 

Final verdict – Both of them loved it. No death, no gore, no sex, just a good story. They both also loved the idea that the computer tried millions of times to find a winner, but war just sucks no matter what. Wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of the world got that??

Two thumbs up from both. WarGames definitely won in this house!

Tomorrow we educate them on some classic, silver-screen action, so stay tuned for tomorrow’s Spooky Movie!