Seventeen-year-old David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) isn’t interested in school. Lucky for him, his grades don’t reflect that, since he can hack into the school computer and change them. A real computer geek, he spends his spare time in video arcades or in his room fiddling with computers and modems that seem laughably ancient today. David uses his smarts to impress a classmate named Jennifer (Ally Sheedy), when they both fail biology. He changes booth their grades.
David’s main interest is hacking a computer game company called Protovision, which has new games coming out soon. One day, while accessing what he thinks is Protovision, David accidentally sets off a war simulator at a but it’s really a Defense Department contractor that feeds directly into a computer that simulates nuclear war. What’s worse is that the computer doesn’t know it’s a simulation and has access to the nuclear controls, due to recent efforts to automate the process.
Thinking he’s working for the Soviets, the government tracks David down. Realizing the government doesn’t fully understand what’s going on, David digs in, determined to stop the computer from setting off global thermonuclear war. While a popcorn thriller, director John Badham ponders the dangers of removing human thought from war and relying only on computers to make pivotal decisions.
In his first lead role, Matthew Broderick does a fine job. David Lightman would pave the way for a series of memorable turns as the likeable underdogs, his baby-faced looks keeping his smart-alec personality from detracting from his heroism in the end (the best example of this is the beloved Ferris Bueller). Ally Sheedy does a fine job too but is ultimately relegated to David’s biggest cheerleader. a group of solid character actors including Dabney Coleman, Barry Corbin and John Wood round out the cast.
Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, WarGames arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. Remembering that this was shot for the big screen, before home entertainment was a consideration, the result is excellent. Detail is delicate, but on full display, whether it’s dust on a desk or smudges on a window. While colors are darker, there’s just enough saturation to differentiate hues. Black levels are inky and deep throughout. skin tones appear natural and consistent. Grain is in evidence, but never distracting. There are no noise or artifacts in evidence.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack is well mixed, offering a good sense of balance and depth throughout. A front heavy mix, surrounds do manage some extra kick at appropriate moments. Vocals are clean, clear and concise throughout. The electronic score by Arthur B. Rubinstein, moves well between the left and right speakers. there are no audio hiccups in evidence.
English SDH subtitles are included.
WarGames comes with the standard Blu-ray edition. Aside from the commentary, all special features are found on the standard Blu-ray disc.
- Audio Commentary with Director John Badham and Writers Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes: Recorded back in 1998, all three sit together for this screen specific chat, where they discuss various aspects of the film.
- Loading WarGames (HD, 45:05) Recorded in 2008, this includes archival footage and interviews with various cast and crew as well as film critics. Various elements of WarGames are discussed, including the development of the project, rewrites, a change in director, casting and more.
- Inside NORAD: Cold War Fortress (HD, 10:54) Including brief interviews with cast, crew and members of NORAD, a discussion of the Cold War in the eighties and NORAD’s operations.
- Attack of the Hackers (HD, 13:42) Provides a basic overview of hacking, through interviews with those in the know.
- Tic Tac Toe: A True Story (HD, 4:30) Learn a few facts about the game.
- Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:22)
