The Wizard

Director: Todd Holland Todd Holland

Overview

After discovering that his emotionally disturbed younger brother Jimmy has a special talent for playing video games, young Corey decides to enter him in a national competition. This children's comedy-drama follows Corey, Jimmy, and their friend Haley as they journey to the competition, all the while pursued by their concerned relatives.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/22/2006
UPC:	0025192932427
Original Release:	1989
Rating:	PG
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	36,584

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Fred Savage	Corey Woods
Luke Edwards	Jimmy Woods
Jenny Lewis	Haley
Christian Slater	Nick
Beau Bridges	Sam
Will Seltzer	Putnam
Sam McMurray	Bateman
Frank McRae	Spanky
Vincent Leahr	Tate
Wendy Phillips	Christine
Dea McAllister	Counselor
Roy Conrad	Bus Clerk
Chuck Skinner	Grease Monkey
Sonny Dukes	Biker
T. Dan Hopkins	Old Navajo
Beth Grant	Diner Manager
Gregor Hesse	Younger Boy
Jackey Vinson	Lucas
Tom Kerley	Pinball Teen
Gene Skillen	Stickman
Blair Anthony	Hotel Security
Thomas Stanczyk	Rick
Jacqueline Lear	Bubblegum Girl
Valana C. Hatter	Diner Waitress
Terri Lynn Neish	Poolside Waitress
Lee Arenberg	Armageddon Registrar
Steven Grives	Armageddon Announcer
Marisa Desimone	Mora Grissom
Zed James Frizzelle	Lucas' Buddy
Jim Pirri	Studio Tour Guide
David D'Ovidio	Armageddon Official
Roderick Dexter	Trucker #1
Ray Bickel	Trucker #2
W.K. Cowan	Salesman #1
William C. Thompson	Salesman #2
Jason Oliver	Tough Teen #1
Rowdy Metzger	Tough Teen #2
Preston Scott Lee	Tough Teen #3
William Thompson	Salesman
Stephen Grives	Armageddon Announcer
J. Robinson	Composer

Technical Credits

David Chisholm

Todd Holland	Director
David Chisholm	Producer,Screenwriter
James Halty	Stunts,Stunts
Lindsley Parsons Jr.	Executive Producer,Producer
Ken Topolsky	Producer
Eddie Surkin	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

In a move right out of the genius book of movie marketing, The Wizard exploded onto screens in 1989 to a resounding roar from the legion of original Nintendo adopters in anticipation for the first glimpse of the Super Mario Bros. 3 game. Though it didn't skyrocket into box office bonanza-land, the film did exactly what it set out to do -- prepping hoards of fans for the new incredible lands for which they were about to play in the upcoming months. As if having the big reveal of anticipated sequel wasn't enough, the movie is jam-packed with enough other Nintendo promotions to secure it as a time capsule of the second ascent of home gaming after Atari. If the young leads aren't playing Double Dragon at a truck stop, then they're wide-eyed over the local pro as he deftly maneuvers the car in Rad Racer with the Power Glove. Sure, the dialogue is dreadful, as is Fred Savage, but the audience at the time could have cared less. Also making a supporting appearance is Christian Slater, still in full Jack Nicholson via-Heathers mode, as well as a young Jenny Lewis of future indie rock songstress fame. The Wizard might age a bit worse than the games it was pimping (which says a lot), but it does stand as a fine reminder to how exciting it was to be a kid in those days.