The Wizard (1989)
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24% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
58% of users liked it
(20,079 ratings)
In this comedy, Corey Woods (Fred Savage) sneaks his emotionally disturbed little brother, Jimmy (Luke Edwards) out of the home he has been placed in, and sets off on a trip across the country. Along the way they team up with young Haley (Jenny Lewis), and together they discover that the silent… More In this comedy, Corey Woods (Fred Savage) sneaks his emotionally disturbed little brother, Jimmy (Luke Edwards) out of the home he has been placed in, and sets off on a trip across the country. Along the way they team up with young Haley (Jenny Lewis), and together they discover that the silent Jimmy has a gift for playing video games. With this newfound information, the trio sets off for a video game competition in California, pursued by a number of concerned relatives. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
- Directed By
- Todd Holland (II), James Halty
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 1989 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Video-addicted kids may well find this exciting, but for anyone old enough to stay out later than 9 P.M. it's a distinct bore.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Hollywood hucksters, zap them, have borrowed from Japanese game-pushers in this shameless attempt to sucker America's children.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It was only after the three kids arrived safely at the championships that I began to question the ethics of the film, which is, among other things, a thinly disguised commercial for Nintendo video games and the Universal studio tour.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The runaways' actions provide anything but responsible models for the children who make up the film's target audience, and the likable cast flails against the rampant idiocy and gross commercialism.
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Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
one of the best movies about the nintendo entertainment system...
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Fred Savage
as Corey Woods
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Beau Bridges
as Sam Woods
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Christian Slater
as Nick Woods
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Luke Edwards
as Jimmy Woods
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Jenny Lewis
as Haley
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Will Seltzer
as Putnam
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Sam McMurray
as Bateman
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Wendy Phillips
as Christine
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Lee Arenberg
as Armageddon Registrar
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Ray Bickel
as Trucker
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Roy Conrad
as Bus Clerk
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Roderick Dexter
as Trucker #1
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Beth Grant
as Diner Manager
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Stephen Grives
as Armageddon Announcer
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Gregor Hesse
as Younger Boy
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Vincent Leahr
as Tate
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Dea McAllister
as Counselor
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Frank McRae
as Spanky
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Jason Oliver
as Tough Teen
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William L. Thompson
as Salesman
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Anthony Blair
as Hotel Security
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W.K. Cowan
as Salesman
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David D'Ovidio
as Armageddon Official
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Marisa de Simone
as Mora Grissom
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Sonny Dukes
as Biker
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Zed James Frizzelle
as Lucas' Buddy
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Valana C. Hatter
as Diner Waitress
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T. Dan Hopkins
as Old Navajo
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Tom Kerley
as Pinball Teen
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Jacqueline Lear
as Bubblegum Girl
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Preston Scott Lee
as Tough Teen
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Rowdy Metzger
as Tough Teen
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Terri Lynn Neish
as Poolside Waitress
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Jim Pirri
as Studio Tour Guide
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Gene Skillen
as Stickman
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Chuck Skinner
as Grease Monkey
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Thomas Stanczyk
as Rick the Video Counselor
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Jackey Vinson
as Lucas
