The Wizard is a 1989 adventure film directed by Todd Holland, starring Fred Savage and Luke Edwards. The movie follows the journey of two brothers, Jimmy and Corey, as they embark on a quest to compete in the Video Armageddon, a video game tournament held in California. Along the way, they meet a mysterious drifter named Lucas, who turns out to be a video game prodigy with a troubled past.
The film was released during the peak of the video game craze of the 1980s and was marketed as a celebration of the world of fantasy and gaming. The Wizard was a box office success and has since become a cult classic among fans of the genre.
The film is notable for its attention to detail in depicting the world of gaming. The Wizard features a variety of classic arcade games and consoles, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Rad Racer, and Tetris, which are used to showcase the skills of the characters and to advance the plot. The film also features a memorable climax set in the final round of the Video Armageddon, where Lucas shows off his incredible gaming skills and takes on the reigning champion, a mysterious figure known only as “The Wizard.”
The Wizard is more than just a movie about video games, it is a story about the bonds of family, friendship and the idea of finding oneself. The main characters, Jimmy and Corey, are brothers who are recovering from their father’s death, and their journey together to the Video Armageddon is a means for them to reconnect and heal. The character of Lucas, the drifter, is portrayed as a loner and outcast, but as the story unfolds, we see how his life is changed by the friendship and acceptance of the two brothers.
The Wizard also explores the idea of fantasy and escapism as a means of dealing with real-world problems. Lucas is revealed to have a troubled past and finds solace in the world of gaming. The movie implies that it is not just a form of entertainment, but a way to cope with trauma and difficult emotions.