WarGames ended up as the number 5 box-office film of 1983, one of only two sci-fi films in the top 10 (the other being Return of the Jedi). The movie's depiction of computers seemed quite far fetched over thirty years ago, but now it doesn't seem so far removed from reality.
As David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) attempts to hack into a video game company's database, he inadvertently gains access to a NORAD computer control system known as WOPR (War Operation Plan Response). David thinks he's playing a game, but he is in fact toying with the computer that controls the nation's nuclear weapons systems.
It's a blast seeing the old technology David uses in his computer setup, from the modem and old school telephone to the giant floppy disks. The robot voice is reminiscent of a Speak & Spell, and the WOPR itself takes up an entire room. The NORAD control center still impresses with its large monitors and bustling atmosphere, and is loosely based on a real facility.
Performances in Wargames are solid all around, from Broderick and Ally Sheedy to John Wood, Dabney Coleman and Barry Corbin. The opening scene is one of the best in cinema, and sets the stage for the thriller that is to come. Wargames still holds up well all these years later due to the believability of the story (especially today), the characters' ability to make the viewer care about them, and the quick pace set by director John Badham.
Wargames remains popular today and is still quoted often. "Shall we play a game?" is commonly heard as a pop culture reference, most recently in last year's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The film is a must-see for any 80's fan waxing nostalgic over the decade, or anyone looking for a good, solid entertaining thriller.
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