The Wizard [DVD]

One day a couple years ago I suddenly remembered this movie and that I was in love with it. Like the Powerglove, it's so bad. Bad in a rad way, dude. So I went out and bought it. Anyway, I made mention of this to friends and family and received two more copies.This movie is just awesome if you grew up in the days when Nintendo's NES dominated the videogame world. It has nods to everything you loved about gaming and a goofy story that will leave you facepalming in happiness.I don't want to spoil it for anyone interested so I will just give a basic rundown.1. Weird kid's sister dies. Only older brother (Fred Freakin' Savage) seems to give a crap.2. Weird kid decides to go to California, Fred goes with him. Mom hires a bounty hunter to get them, dad and older brother take a trip to try and get the kids back before the bounty hunter does.3. Weird kid is like, a gaming savant and somehow scores 50000 points on Double Dragon in minutes just playing the demo screen.4. They meet a girl. Did you know that nowadays she fronts a rock band? And she got hot. I used to think she was Andi from Goonies, but I was wrong.5. Video game training montage after meeting Lucas, the jerkass kid that has all the NES games.6. Video Game Stuff7. Family Stuff.8. SUPER MARIO BROTHERS 3 FIRST REVEAL!9. Family stuff10. The endIntrigued? I know you are. Buy this movie.Overall 5/5

Now a days you can't go anywhere without hearing of some new video game system coming out. Long lines out the door in the hopes to get one of the latest generation video game systems or the various games that are available on said system.Back in 1989, things weren't too differnet. The graphics may not have been up to today's standards but there was one king on the block that everyone had to know. That was Nintendo. The 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System was a must have for kids young and old alike. With games varying from sports, action and adventure this was the must have system of the late 1980's and early 1990's.This movie, pretty much takes a look at life when focused on a young boy, Jimmy and his natural talent dealing with the Nintendo Entertainment System. He is a natural wiz at any and all games, yet doesn't speak much except for exclaiming his desire to go to "California". Fred Savage as Corey, sets out on an adventure with his half brother Jimmy in what seems like a quest to California to compete in the Video Game Championships at Universal Studios.Along the way they meet up with Haley, played by Jenny Lewis, who becomes their female compainon in their quest to reach California and get out of trouble that they happen to get into as they avoid the parents and the bounty hunter who are all after the boys who left without permission on this quest to reach the video game tournement.The movie has a very 1980's feel to it. It comes off as an advertisement of sorts for all things Nintendo. You have the use of the ill fated "Power Glove" that one of the kids rivals who will be at said tournement uses while they challenge him in his home town on the way to California. There is even a point where Haley is on the phone with the "Nintendo Game Councelors" getting much needed help on every and any game for the NES. Of course not telling us watchers of this movie how much that really would have costs as most people knew it was not a free service as they were showing in the movie. Also while on the phone the names of various popular games are being mentioned left and right, a lot of the games not possibly ever going to be used in the tournament as they are RPG in nature. There was even one point where Corey's father and brother (played by Beau Bridges and Christian Slater) have to get their car fixed and pop out a NES to play on a small TV in the repair garage. It was moments like this that dumbed down the movie a bit. What could have been great, really comes off as a dated commercial for how wonderful the NES is and how even adults use it and get a kick out of it.The biggest and probably main draw of the movie, was the fact that it proudly displayed a long awaited game at this time "Super Mario Bros 3" which was not even out in game stores at the time this movie was in theaters. I won't give away the details surrounding the use of this game, but it was a real reason that people ran out to see this movie. As the Super Mario craze was alive and well at this time and just for the sight of the next edition of the long running Mario saga, was a reason that most Nintendo fans had to see this film. Yours truly included. That thrill of seeing the game used in this movie is probably not as big a deal now with the game already out for so many years and in differnet editions but if you can take yourself back to this time period and put the advertisement factors aside, you will see why this is a cool moment in the film.Advertisements aside, the movie is a blast to watch again. It comes off as a great piece of pure nostalgia. Remembering a time when things were easy and simplistic yet still fun. A lot of people who were in their teen's when this movie came out all probably wished that they were stars in such things as a video game competition. This movie really plays up on the idea of going cross country just to prove one's worth in said tourny, but also shows that the kids who were the focus, were more then just video game crazed kids wanting to show off their skills. We learn towards the end that there really was other goals then just video games behind the whole film. So what turns out to be a kid just wanting to win a video game championship turns out to be about much more. Again not the deepest of moments but at least they did try to make the story more then just being to play video games and nothing else.Over all, this film comes off as a weird mixture of "Over the Top", "The Fugitive" and "The Goonies" sponsored by Nintendo. It should also be noted that Universal who made this film, decides to get in on the advertising in the movie as well of their own brand, proudly showing various characters and locations in Universal Studios, California where the tournament takes place. Once you get past all the ads within, you will find a fun and enjoyable film that I think all in the family should enjoy. It's not the most creative or deepest of stories ever seen in a movie, but it is fun and you start to root for the kids and get involved in the situation you find yourself in as if you too were on a similar quest to just accomplish something and to have your parents understand what you are going through.It's a fun watch and a great trip down memory lane. The NES may be a memory now, but this is one trip down memory lane you won't be sorry getting. And of course like most 1980's movies, everything works out happily ever after in this story, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Check it out. If you haven't seen it, it will be a new and great experience, especially if you were a kid growing up in the 1980's and if you did see it, see it again as this is one of those hidden treasures that you will be glad to see after not having seen it in so long.

Came in a plastic baggy and no slipcover :( ... so if you're really wanting the slipcover, beware! I never seen the bonus stuff, so can't wait 'til I get time to watch it!

So this version has like 45 minutes of deleted scenes that reveal so many unrealized subplots. It was a total surprise, and such a cool thing to discover. Dante Basco (Rufio) from "Hook" is in the deleted scenes!!

This movie was really a testament to Nintendo's supremacy in the late 80's with the NES. Basically, it stands as the single greatest marketing technique in the realm of video games. A motion picture aimed to advertise not only great hits of the NES, but a brand new game, Super Mario Bros 3.The movie tries hard to make use think that video games were the cool thing to be into, going so far as old business men playing it on break, and little Nintendo gangs that sit around and play Nintendo all day and keep their trusty Power Glove in a box that looks like it should be holding a Nuclear Launch Panel rather than a toy.The story is basically a trip to reconcile the past, and to figure out who you really are. Whether it bet the middle brother in torn family, a roadie girl without a real family, or an emotionally disturbed boy who is looking for an outlet for his pain. Though the film itself is far from being realistic, (I mean three young kids traveling along the highway from Utah to California?), it defintely is a keepsake for classic gamers from that era.Besides, the ending is pretty cool, getting to see Super Mario Bros 3 being played at a huge contest (which in real life was called PowerFest and DID happen) at Universal Studios, it was quite a treat. However, hardcore gamers will be quick to point out several faults in the gaming aspect of the movie, such as games playing by themselves and the Power Glove making sounds when you pressed the button that it didn't.All in all, it's not in print anymore, you might as well try to get it while you can. If you are German, pick up the DVD under the title "Joystick Heroes".

Que bom que a Amazon disponibilizou o O Gênio do Videogame (The Wizard) no Brasil.Assim facilita muito à nós fans. Já que provavelmente. Não será lançado oficialmente por aqui no Brasil assim como foi com o DVD.O filme é claro, é clássico da geração Nintendo 8 Bits lá do final dos anos 80!Destaque para o disco de extras!

Ovviamente per certi titoli in Italia, la speranza è vana.in realtà non capisco il motivo sia cosi difficile recuperare e digitalizzare la traccia sonora di un film anni 80.Eppure, questa è la situazione.il prodotto in se è ottimo, e rinnovo il mio apprezzamento per il catalogo home video Spagna, che include titoli minori, ma evidentemente tutt'ora apprezzati.

No había tenido oportunidad de verla anteriormente y me generaba curiosidad.Es una película entretenida en la cual se hacen referencias a videojuegos todo el tiempo (como si fuera un comercial gigante)No tiene subtítulos, audio en español.

Leider kam der Film erst nicht an nach langem warten hat der Verkäufer den Artikel ohne Probleme nochmal versendet und dieser kam dann auch zügig an. Toller film meiner Kindheit nicht für jeden was aber genau was für mich.

Llevaba tiempo detrás de esta película ya que me encanta y quería tenerla para mi colección. Aproveché la rebaja de black friday para conseguirla y por ese precio está muy bien.