Wargames
From Metaverse
WarGames, a 1983 Sci-Fi thriller, set in Seattle, is about a young whizz-kid, David Lightman, finding a way into the central computer of the military. This top secret super-computer controls the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The computer challenges David to a game, "Global Thermonuclear Warfare," Points between America and Russia Summary. From there it is difficult to tell reality from game-playing and he possibly starts World War III Plot; the computer will not stop playing until it wins.
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Characters
- David Lightman: Played by Matthew Broderick; An underachieving teen living in Seattle; Loves playing video and computer games; Does not do well in school so he hacks into the school's system in order to change his grades and please his parents; Accidentally hacks into the main computer at The National Missile Defense Facility in the Colorado Rockies(NORAD) David; He is eventually arrested by the FBI and charged with espionage Troubles.
- Jennifer Katherine Mack: Played by Ally Sheedy; David wants to impress her and she is in some of his classes; She also is not doing too well in school so David changes her grades; She helps him end the "game" and find Dr. Falken; By the end she is David's girlfriend.
- Dr. Stephen Falken: Played by John Wood; The author/owner/designer of the game - "Falken's Maze;" is reported dead, but he actually just faked his own death and is still alive; the password used to enter the game is Joshua, the name of his deceased son; When the computer speaks or is addressed he is called Joshua; Falken is a genius and he must find a way to stop his own creation; which gets smarter and smarter by the minute, before it starts war Falken.
- Dr. John McKittrick: Played by Dabney Coleman; Was a colleague of Falken's; He refuses to help Falken and David because he believes that David was recruited by the Russians McKittrick.
- General Jack Beringer, NORAD Commander: Played by Barry Corbin; Believes that the country is under attack when he sees that something has gone awry in the computer system
- Pat Healy, McKittrick's assistant: Played by Juanin Clay
- Arthur Cabot: Played by Kent Williams
- Lyle Watson: Played by Dennis Lipscomb
- Col. Joe Conley: Played by Joe Dorsey
- Paul Richter, WOPR technician: Played by Irving Metzman
- Beringer's Aide: Played by Michael Ensign
- Mr. Lightman: Played by William Bogert
- Mrs. Lightman: Played by Susan Davis
- FBI Agent Nigan: Played by James Tolkan
- Stockman: Played by David Clover
Themes, Symbols, Motifs
- Unrealistic - a high school student hacked into the military computer and almost started World War III.
- Realistic (in the 1980's) in that the technology seemed so accessible and believable Realistic.
- The extent to which life is becoming dependent on computers Dependence.
- Involves cyberspace - where the foundation of the war begins.
- David meets up with Dr. Falken who educated him on how to stop "Joshua."
- A lasting value is created... David learns an important lesson about his hacking abilities.
- Dehumanization is occurring as computers begin to replace humans. Life is being left in the hands of machines and destiny can no longer be controlledDehumanization.
- No one is safe from the threat of nuclear warfare.
Opinions
- Comical display or parody of hackers
- Cyberpunk for its time period
- Was not film noir
Discussion Questions
1.) Could it be possible, in today's society, that there are people that have been able to obtain access to important information and could potentially cause a crisis?
2.) Since 1983 there have been great technological advances. How has the world become more dehumanized, or has it not?
3.) Where do you see the world in fifty years in terms of technology vs. human tasks?
Related Links
- VIDEO TRAILER http://videodetective.com/home.asp?PublishedID=2700
Interesting Facts
- WarGames has been defined as a cult film.
- Takes place during the peak of the Cold War; the Ronald Reagan years Interesting
- Coining of the phrase "WarDialing," which causes mayhem to the modem of a computer WarDialing.
