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 1989 American family film directed by Todd Holland, written by David Chisholm, and starring Fred Savage, Beau Bridges, Christian Slater, and introducing Luke Edwards as Jimmy Woods. It was also Tobey Maguire's uncredited film debut.
The film follows three children as they travel to California to compete in a video game tournament. The youngest of the three is emotionally withdrawn with a gift for playing video games. The Wizard is known for its extensive product placement of Nintendo material. The film was also well known for being the official introduction to Super Mario Bros. 3 in North America. Despite receiving consistently negative reviews, the film has garnered a cult following.
Plot
Jimmy Woods is a young boy suffering from PTSD after his twin sister, Jennifer, drowned two years earlier. Prone to wandering away from home at random times, he perpetually carries around a lunchbox while frequently repeating the word "California".
Jennifer's death resulted in a split of Jimmy's family: he lives with his mother Christine and stepfather Mr. Bateman while his older half-brothers Nick and Corey live with their father Sam. Exasperated by Jimmy's behavior, Christine and Mr. Bateman decide to commit Jimmy to an institution. Unwilling to allow it, Corey sneaks Jimmy out and they start traveling on foot for Los Angeles. Nick and Sam resolve to bring the boys back while in competition with Mr. Putnam, a greedy bounty hunter hired by Mr. Bateman and Christine to find Jimmy.
At a bus station, Jimmy and Corey meet Haley Brooks, a teenager on her way home to Reno. When they discover that Jimmy has an innate skill for playing video games, Haley informs Corey of "Video Armageddon", a gaming tournament being held in Universal Studios Hollywood, with a grand prize of $50,000. Corey sees the tournament as an opportunity to avert Jimmy's institutionalization by showcasing his talent, and Haley agrees to help take Jimmy to the tournament in return for a share of the winnings.
The trio hitchhike cross-country, using Jimmy’s skills to win bets on games. They eventually meet Lucas Barton, a popular but snobbish gamer who demonstrates his ability to play Rad Racer with a Power Glove and informs Haley he will also be competing. Corey and Haley learn that Jimmy's lunchbox contains photos and mementos of Jennifer.
The trio arrive in Reno, gaining more money with help from Haley’s trucker friend Spankey whom Haley coaches to success at a casino’s craps table. Jimmy then begins training on arcade machines with help from the Nintendo Power Line. The children escape from Putnam to Haley's trailer where she reveals she wants her share of the prize money to help her father buy a proper house. Putnam finds Haley's trailer and captures Jimmy, but Haley summons several truckers who barricade Putnam on the road, assault him, and rescue Jimmy.
After Spankey drives the children to the tournament, Jimmy enters and becomes a finalist after playing Ninja Gaiden. In between rounds, Putnam makes another unsuccessful attempt to apprehend the children. Jimmy, Lucas, and a third finalist compete in the tournament's final round – they have 10 minutes to score as many points as they can in Super Mario Bros. 3, a brand-new game not yet released in the United States. Cheered on by his family, Haley, and even Putnam, Jimmy wins the tournament at the last second and earns the prize money.
As the entire family heads home, accompanied by Haley, Jimmy suddenly becomes restless when he spots the Cabazon Dinosaurs, causing them to stop the car. They follow him inside, and Corey finds Jimmy looking at his photos of the family, one of which was taken at the tourist trap. They realize that Jimmy only sought closure in a place where Jennifer was happy. Jimmy leaves his lunchbox at the site and the family resumes the car trip, happily riding off into the sunset.
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
- 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"
Legacy
On September 6, 2016, Pax West 2016 concluded with a replica of the Super Mario Bros. 3 tournament from the film.
See also
In Spanish: The Wizard (película) para niños
