I think the reason I have always enjoyed Weird Science is because it really is, well, weird. I don't think I have seen another movie that has so freely embraced the idea of anything can happen. I really mean it when I say that too. John Hughes wrote and directed this film and takes an excursion directly into full fledged fantasy.
The film focuses on two teenage boys, Gary (played by Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (played by Ilan Mitchell-Smith). They two are spending the weekend at Wyatt's house while his parents are out of town and are being chaperoned by Wyatt's obnoxious older brother, Chet (played by Bill Paxton). Both painfully single, they clearly are close friends and spend a lot of time together. There's a certain dynamic between the two that reminded me a lot of friendships I've had in the past.
One night, Gary proposes the idea of creating a girl simulation on Wyatt's computer. Their work on this escalates quickly as they are hacking into other computers to access more processing power until going into full on ceremony including candles, a Barbie doll and ceremonial bras worn on their heads. Their work conjures up their idea of a dream girl who they name Lisa (played by Kelly LeBrock). She is a magical being who acts as a sort of fairy godmother to the two boys to try and build their self confidence, while helping them gain a couple girlfriends in the process.
When I look over the films of John Hughes, either his adult oriented fare or his teen driven films, this one has always stood out to me as a bit of an odd duck. It really is an oddball film, but in a completely charming way. The film skirts the risque at times with Lisa being seen as the ideal woman by Gary and Wyatt, but Hughes keeps it sweet and innocent because both boys are almost completely incapable of talking to a girl. Once they have one, they have no idea what to do with her. However, Lisa is forever a step ahead of the two helping them to grow and appear cooler to their other classmates achieved mainly by throwing a massive house party that may just rival the one from Sixteen Candles, but only because it is invaded by a mutant biker gang.
While Hughes' previous film The Breakfast Club dealt with the realities of growing up, this one is content to revel in the fantasies of the teenage male. Over the course of one weekend, Gary and Wyatt gain some self respect, some cool points, learn how to talk to girls, drive a couple sports cars, make peace with a couple bullies that torment them (played by Robert Downey Jr and Robert Rusler) and dish out some comeuppance to their obnoxious brother. What teenage boy wouldn't love that?
I've always loved Weird Science. It's such an off the wall film that never feels burdened with explaining where Lisa comes from or how she got her powers. She just is and insists that Gary and Wyatt created her. It plays fast and loose with the rules of it's universe, content with a mantra of anything can and will happen, which makes for plenty of amusing surprises. While some aspects of the film are a bit dated (Wyatt's computer being a big one), it's still a thoroughly charming and very funny film if you're willing to go with it and maybe not think about it too hard.
There have been persistent rumors that Universal wants to remake the film which is something that I hope never happens. The film has a certain charm to it that I doubt could ever really be re-captured and as such I really hope they leave it alone. Of course, I have the same hopes for all of Hughes' films.
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