Weird Science (1985)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes (written by)

Release Date:

2 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

It's all in the name of science. Weird Science.

Plot:

Two nerdish boys attempt to create the perfect woman, but she turns out to be more than that.

Plot Keywords:

Perfect Woman | Computer | Teenager | Water Gun | Drunkenness

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Anthony Michael Hall	...	Gary Wallace
Kelly LeBrock	...	Lisa
Ilan Mitchell-Smith	...	Wyatt Donnelly
Bill Paxton	...	Chet Donnelly
Suzanne Snyder	...	Deb
Judie Aronson	...	Hilly
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Ian (as Robert Downey)
Robert Rusler	...	Max
Vernon Wells	...	Lord General
Britt Leach	...	Al Wallace
Barbara Lang	...	Lucy Wallace
Michael Berryman	...	Mutant Biker
Ivor Barry	...	Henry Donnelly
Ann Coyle	...	Carmen Donnelly (as Anne Bernadette Coyle)
Suzy J. Kellems	...	Gymnast
John Kapelos	...	Dino
Fred D. Scott	...	Bar Patron
Vince Townsend Jr.	...	Bar Patron (as Vince Monroe Townsend)
Chino 'Fats' Williams	...	Bar Patron (as Chino Williams)
Jill Whitlow	...	Susan, Perfume Salesgirl
Theodocia Goodrich	...	Lingerie Saleswoman
Wallace Langham	...	Art (as Wally Ward)
Johnny Timko	...	The Weenies
Mikul Robins	...	The Weenies
Darren Harris	...	The Weenies
Renee Props	...	The Weenies (as Babette Props)
Michael Cramer	...	The Weenies
Todd Hoffman	...	The Weenies
D'Mitch Davis	...	Bartender
Mary Steelsmith	...	Girl in Bathroom
Robin Frohman	...	Girl in Bathroom
Alison Carole Lowe	...	Girl in Upside Down Bathroom
Kym Malin	...	Girl Playing Piano
Jennifer Balgobin	...	Biker Girl
Jeff Jensen	...	Metal Face
Prince Hughes	...	Party Guest (as Prince A. Hughes)
Rick Le Fevour	...	Policeman (as Rick LeFevor)
Rock A. Walker	...	Policeman (as Rock Walker)
Joe Gieb	...	Blob Operator
Kevin Thompson	...	Blob Operator
Doug MacHugh	...	Wyatt's Father
Pamela Gordon	...	Wyatt's Mother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Phillip Borsos	...	Candy Bar Owner (uncredited)
Steve James	...	Guy at Table (uncredited)

Directed by
John Hughes

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
John Hughes		written by

Produced by
Joel Silver	....	producer
Jane Vickerilla	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Ira Newborn

Cinematography by
Matthew F. Leonetti

Film Editing by
Chris Lebenzon
Scott K. Wallace		(as Scott Wallace)
Mark Warner

Casting by
Jackie Burch

Production Design by
John W. Corso

Art Direction by
James Allen

Set Decoration by
Jennifer Polito

Costume Design by
Marilyn Vance

Makeup Department
Sherry Caudle	....	body makeup
Michael Germain	....	makeup artist
Dagmar Loesch	....	hair stylist
Craig Reardon	....	special makeup creator

Production Management
Don Zepfel	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rob Corn	....	second assistant director
Bennie E. Dobbins	....	second unit director (as Bennie Dobbins)
Wendy Ikeguchi	....	dga trainee
Deborah Love	....	first assistant director
Deborah Rosen	....	second assistant director: Chicago
Willie E. Simmons Jr.	....	second second assistant director (as Willie Simmons)
Marvin Towns Jr.	....	second assistant director: Chicago (as Marvin Towns)

Art Department
Jaymes Hinkle	....	stand-by painter (as Jimmy J. Hinkle)
Jack M. Marino	....	property master (as Jack Marino)
Nick Navarro	....	set designer
Jeff Passanante	....	construction coordinator
John Rozman	....	lead man
Edmund Villa	....	assistant property master (as Ed Villa)

Sound Department
Greg Agalsoff	....	boom operator
Randle Akerson	....	sound editor
James R. Alexander	....	production sound mixer (as James Alexander)
John H. Arrufat	....	sound editor (as John Arrufat)
Joseph D. Blair	....	sound re-recordist
James Bolt	....	adr recordist (as Jim Bolt)
Destiny Borden	....	assistant sound editor
Susan Dudeck	....	sound editor
John P. Fasal	....	synthesizer sound effects
Donald Flick	....	sound editor
Stephen Hunter Flick	....	supervising sound editor
Maggie Greenwald	....	assistant sound editor
Ron Harris	....	adr mixer (as Ronald R. Harris)
Roger Heman Jr.	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Roger Heman)
Doug Hemphill	....	special sound effects (as D.M. Hemphill)
Ellen Heuer	....	foley artist
Hilda Hodges	....	foley artist
Robert L. Hoyt	....	sound re-recording mixer
Gary Ladinsky	....	sound re-recording mixer
Vince Melandri	....	adr editor
Bob Newlan	....	sound editor
Dan O'Connell	....	foley artist (as Don O'Connell)
John Pospisil	....	synthesizer sound effects
Steve Richardson	....	foley editor
Gary D. Rogers	....	foley recordist (as Gary Rogers)
Mark Server	....	sound recordist
Charles Ewing Smith	....	sound editor (as Chuck Smith)
John J. Stephens	....	sound re-recording mixer
David E. Stone	....	sound editor
Burton Weinstein	....	sound editor
Gary Wright	....	foley editor

Special Effects by
David Blitstein	....	special effects (as David M. Blitstein)
Doug Hubbard	....	special effects
David P. Kelsey	....	mechanical animation (as David Kelsey)
Jim Leonard	....	creature crew
Roger Lifsey	....	special effects
James D. McGeachy	....	creature crew (as James McGeachy)
Henry Millar	....	special effects
Mike Millar	....	special effects
Nancy Nee	....	creature crew
Rick Thompson	....	special effects (as Richard Thompson)

Visual Effects by
Randall Balsmeyer	....	cloud tank photography: R/Greenberg (as Randy Balsmeyer)
Rich Champa	....	optical camera: R/Greenberg (as Richard Champa)
Joel Hynek	....	visual effects supervisor: R/Greenberg
Robert Mrozowski	....	special animation effects: R/Greenberg
Stuart Robertson	....	optical layout: R/Greenberg

Stunts
Steve Cremin	....	stunts (as Stephen T. Cremin)
Phil Culotta	....	stunts
Bennie E. Dobbins	....	stunt coordinator (as Bernie Dobbins)
Greg Wayne Elam	....	stunts (as Greg Elam)
Kimberly Epper	....	stunts
Steve Kelso	....	stunt double
Steve Kelso	....	stunt driver
Steve Kelso	....	stunts
Paul M. Lane	....	stunts (as Paul Michael Lane)
Shawn Lane	....	stunts (as Shawn P. Lane)
Sharon Schaffer	....	stunts
John-Clay Scott	....	stunts
Kay Whipple	....	stunts (as Kay H. Whipple)
Daniel Maldonado	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Mark Averill	....	dolly grip
Lloyd Barcroft	....	second grip
Douglas E. Beal	....	second assistant camera (as Doug Beal)
Pat Blymyer	....	chief lighting technician (as Patrick Blymyer)
Joseph W. Calloway	....	director of photography: Chicago (as Joseph Calloway)
Bennie Dorsey	....	grip
Bertis Fancher	....	grip
Bob Fillis	....	assistant chief lighting technician (as Robert Fillis)
Bob Fiore	....	lamp operator
James Glennon	....	additional photographer (as James M. Glennon)
Jan Kiesser	....	additional photographer
Robert LaBonge	....	first assistant camera
Henry M. Lebo	....	camera operator (as Henry Lebo)
John R. Leonetti	....	first assistant camera
John J. Linder	....	key grip (as John Linder)
Terry Marshall	....	lamp operator
Montey Menapace	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Phelt M. Saucier	....	lamp operator (as Phelt Saucier)
Michael St. Hilaire	....	camera operator
Randy Tepper	....	still photographer
Ian Wayne	....	video engineer (as Ian L. Wayne)
Jason Rez	....	grip (uncredited)
Mark Simon	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Animation Department
Rhonda C. Gunner	....	computer animation and displays: Video Image (as Rhonda Gunner)
Richard E. Hollander	....	computer animation and displays: Video Image (as Richard Hollander)
Gregory L. McMurry	....	computer animation and displays: Video Image
John C. Wash	....	computer animation and displays: Video Image (as John Wash)

Casting Department
David Gonzales	....	casting associate
Jim Green	....	extras casting: Central Casting
Carl Joy	....	extras casting: Central Casting
Nancy Nayor	....	casting coordinator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Phyllis Corcoran-Woods	....	costumer: women
Greg Hall	....	costumer: men
Silvio Scarano	....	costume supervisor: men
Barbara Siebert	....	costume supervisor: women (as Barbara Siebert-Bolticoff)

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter (as Donah J. Bassett)
Jerrie Fowler	....	assistant editor: Chicago
Jack Garsha	....	color timer
J.W. Kompare	....	assistant film editor
Steven Ramirez	....	first assistant film editor
Craig Ridenour	....	assistant film editor
Lauren A. Schaffer	....	apprentice film editor

Music Department
Jeff Carson	....	music editor
Alf Clausen	....	composer: additional music
Alf Clausen	....	orchestrator
Raechel Donahue	....	vocal effects advisor
Jim Harrison	....	assistant music editor (as James Harrison)
Jimmy Iovine	....	composer: special musical material
Jimmy Iovine	....	song producer
Gary Ladinsky	....	score mixer
Kathy Nelson	....	music supervisor
Greg Fulginiti	....	music engineer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Russ Dwyer	....	transportation captain
John Hardy	....	transportation coordinator: Chicago
Robert Wilson	....	transportation coordinator
Chris Haynes	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Rafe Blasi	....	publicity coordinator
Jerry Evans	....	choreographer
Ron Filbert	....	cost estimator
Billy Higgins	....	location manager: Chicago
Luca Kouimelis	....	script supervisor
Willy Kupahu	....	location auditor: Chicago
Ron Payne	....	production assistant
Willie Radcliff	....	craft service
Ron Rotholz	....	assistant: Joel Silver
Kathleen Sacchi	....	secretary: John Hughes
Millie Sacks	....	studio teacher
Kimberly Sizemore	....	production assistant
Mary Thomas	....	secretary: Joel Silver (as Mary C. Thomas)
Elaine K. Thompson	....	production associate
Susan Vanderbeek	....	production coordinator: Chicago (as Sue Vanderbeek)
Lisa J. Watters	....	production coordinator
Jim Michaels	....	24 frame computer playback operator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• United International Pictures (UIP) (1986) (France) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• CIC Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures (Spain) (2005) (Spain) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures

Special Effects

• R/Greenberg Associates (special visual effects)

Other Companies

• Central Casting  extras casting
• R/Greenberg Associates  titles
• Video Image  computer animation
• Video Image  displays

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Central Street, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Kelly LeBrock initially turned down the role of Lisa, as she was vacationing in France at the time and was "having too much fun riding horses on the beach".

Goofs:

Continuity: Gary's Cubs hat When they're using the computer to create Lisa.

Quotes:

Henry: I'm not going to stand here and listen to this baloney.
Carmen: He won't, you know. He doesn't stand for baloney.

Movie Connections:

References Sudden Impact (1983)

Soundtrack:

TESLA GIRLS

Funky Teen Sci-Fi (spoilers)

80s! I'm living in the 80s! If you love 80s teen movies, then Weird Science ought to be in your catalogue. It is one of director John Hughes most memorable, and one of the 80s most original.

Written in two days, this is a teen science fiction film, the story of two teenage loners, Wyatt (the always grimacing Ilan-Mitchell Smith) and Gary (Anthony Michael Hall before he went deadpan) and their weird way of discovering girls. A variation on Frankenstein, the teenagers create a beautiful woman (the super cool Kelly LeBrock) using their computer and some clever hacking skills (of course, it's exaggerated). Their creation is Lisa, the chic English accent woman who brings a little life to the subtle Illinois suburb. As the antithesis of both Wyatt and Gary's personalities, she's going to show these boys a little adventure, get them to loosen up, and for crying out loud, gain some self-esteem.

Because Lisa is a lady with some supernatural power like freezing grandparents in time, erasing the memory of a bad first impression with Gary's parents, turning Wyatt's obnoxious military school brother Chet (Bill Paxton in his funniest, most arrogant role yet) into a giant pus maggot, or even having a gang of mutant bikers storming a house party. And Lisa's greatest gift to the boys: showing them true love by helping them along to meet the two girls they've been after all along, their high school classmates, Deb and Hilly, who are unfortunately hung up on the dweeb bullies, Max (Robert Russler) and Ian (Robert Downey, Jr.). So essentially, it deals with many aspects of teen angst (but more like just teen self-esteem or self-consciousness issues) within one story. Parents, class status (done subtly here as opposed to Some Kind of Wonderful or Pretty in Pink), relationships, etc. It works well, and is done quite humorously.

One of my favorite scenes is when the trio (Lisa, Gary, and Wyatt) go to the night club looking pretty out of place (they're not only the only white people there, but probably the only ones under thirty). Once Anthony Michael Hall's character, Gary, gets drunk and starts with his slang, it's hilarious. Reminds me a little of Adventures in Babysitting when the gang drops in on the club and they're not allowed to leave until they sing. So eventually, they loosen up and have a little fun.

It's a wonderful movie with a classic John Hughes comic touch (says the mutant biker to Gary and Wyatt after they threaten to kill them if they don't leave, "Please don't tell anyone about this. I'd hate to lose my teaching job.). Plus, it's got a great soundtrack, featuring Killing Joke, Lords of the New Church, and Oingo Boingo doing the title song. The music video for it was fantastic, and not only features clips from the movie, but Kelly LeBrock herself in Oingo Boingo's own rendition of creating the woman via technology.

Although not one of John Hughes' best (I think Sixteen Candles is still his greatest), it is certainly one of his most memorable and one that I will love no matter how old I get. So have yourself a lazy Saturday, pop in the movie, and enjoy.