The Wizard (1989 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Wizard |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Todd Holland |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | David Chisholm |
| Starring | |
| Music by | J. Peter Robinson |
| Cinematography | Robert D. Yeoman |
| Editing by | Tom Finan |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures (North America) Carolco Pictures (International) Toho (Japan) |
| Release date(s) | December 15, 1989 |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6 million |
| Money made | $14.3 million |
The Wizard is a family movie from 1989. It was directed by Todd Holland and written by David Chisholm. The film stars Fred Savage, Beau Bridges, and Christian Slater. It also introduced Luke Edwards as Jimmy Woods. Even Tobey Maguire had a small, uncredited role in this movie!
The story is about three kids who travel all the way to California. They want to compete in a big video game tournament. The youngest child, Jimmy, is very quiet but has an amazing talent for video games. The Wizard is famous for showing many Nintendo products. It was also the first time many people in North America saw Super Mario Bros. 3. Even though some people didn't like the movie at first, it has become a favorite for many fans over time.
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Story of the Adventure
Jimmy Woods is a young boy who is very sad and quiet. This is because his twin sister, Jennifer, passed away two years earlier. Jimmy often wanders off by himself. He always carries a lunchbox and keeps saying the word "California".
After Jennifer's death, Jimmy's family split up. He lives with his mom and stepfather. His older half-brothers, Nick and Corey, live with their dad. Jimmy's mom and stepfather decide he needs to go to a special place for help. Corey doesn't want this to happen. He helps Jimmy sneak out, and they start walking towards Los Angeles. Nick and his dad try to find the boys and bring them home. A man named Mr. Putnam, who is a bounty hunter, is also looking for Jimmy.
Meeting Haley and the Tournament Idea
At a bus station, Jimmy and Corey meet Haley Brooks. She is a teenager going home to Reno. Haley quickly sees that Jimmy is incredibly good at video games. She tells Corey about "Video Armageddon," a big gaming tournament. It's happening at Universal Studios Hollywood. The grand prize is $50,000! Corey thinks this tournament could show everyone how special Jimmy is. He hopes it will stop Jimmy from being sent away. Haley agrees to help them get to the tournament. She wants a share of the prize money if they win.
The three friends hitchhike across the country. They use Jimmy’s amazing gaming skills to win money by betting on games. Along the way, they meet Lucas Barton. He is a well-known gamer who shows off his skills playing Rad Racer with a Power Glove. Lucas tells them he will also be in the tournament. Corey and Haley learn that Jimmy's lunchbox holds photos and memories of his sister, Jennifer.
Reaching Reno and the Big Game
The trio arrives in Reno. They earn more money with help from Haley’s trucker friend, Spankey. Haley helps Spankey win at a casino’s craps table. Jimmy then starts practicing on arcade games. He even gets tips from the Nintendo Power Line. The children manage to escape from Mr. Putnam. They hide in Haley's trailer. Haley tells them she wants her share of the prize money to help her dad buy a real house. Putnam finds them and catches Jimmy. But Haley calls her trucker friends. They block Putnam's car and help rescue Jimmy.
Spankey drives the children to the tournament. Jimmy enters and becomes a finalist after playing Ninja Gaiden. Between rounds, Putnam tries again to catch the children, but he fails. Jimmy, Lucas, and a third finalist compete in the final round. They have 10 minutes to score as many points as they can in Super Mario Bros. 3. This game was brand new and not yet released in the United States! With his family, Haley, and even Putnam cheering him on, Jimmy wins the tournament at the very last second. He earns the prize money!
Finding Closure
As the whole family heads home with Haley, Jimmy suddenly gets restless. He sees the Cabazon Dinosaurs. This makes them stop the car. They follow him inside. Corey finds Jimmy looking at his family photos. One of the pictures was taken at this very tourist spot. They realize that Jimmy just wanted to visit a place where Jennifer was happy. Jimmy leaves his lunchbox there. The family then continues their trip, driving happily into the sunset.
Meet the Cast
- Fred Savage as Corey Woods
- Luke Edwards as Jimmy Woods
- Jenny Lewis as Haley Brooks
- Christian Slater as Nick Woods
- Beau Bridges as Sam Woods
- Will Seltzer as Putnam
- Jackey Vinson as Lucas Barton
- Wendy Phillips as Christine Bateman
- Sam McMurray as Mr. Bateman
- Frank McRae as Spankey
- Vincent Leahr as Tate
- Beth Grant as Diner manager
- Lee Arenberg as Armageddon registrar
- Tobey Maguire (uncredited) as Goon
- Dante Basco (deleted scenes) as Corey's friend
Music in the Movie
- BoDeans – "You Don't Get Much"
- Patsy Cline – "Leavin' on Your Mind"
- BoDeans – "Red River"
- New Kids on the Block – "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"
- Real Life – "Send Me an Angel '89"
- New Kids on the Block – "Hangin' Tough"
- Martha & The Vandellas – "Nowhere to Run"
- Paul Carrack – "I Live by the Groove"
- Bobby Brown – "Don't Be Cruel"
- Paul Anka – "My Way"
- Sally Dworsky – "I Found My Way"
Movie's Impact
On September 6, 2016, a gaming event called Pax West 2016 ended with a special Super Mario Bros. 3 tournament. It was just like the one in The Wizard movie!
See also
In Spanish: The Wizard (película) para niños
