1985’s Weird Science Gave Us More Than You Could Ever Realize
In the 80s, John Hughes was a household name. The writer/director gave us so many films that identified with being a youth in the 80s. He got his start with Sixteen Candles and would later continue with fare like The Breakfast Club and, of course, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
He would later go on to produce other works as well, like the humorous Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles before his unfortunate passing in 2009. But he left quite the legacy. And one film that some people may have forgotten about is Weird Science.
This Universal-produced effort came out in 1985 and, while not a raging box office success like Hughes’ previous works, still managed to make a solid $40 million off a $7.5 million effort. But more importantly, in hindsight, it gave us quite a bit to take in — even more than Hughes’ previous fare.
Not everything clicks, mind you, but there’s enough great stuff here that really connects with nerddom as a whole. Not to mention that a lot of it still stands well today. Let’s break down some of the cooler aspects.
Kelly LeBrock
Indeed, every boy’s dream came to life in beautiful fashion with LeBrock, who also appeared in such films as Hard to Kill and The Woman In Red. But it’s with Science that she hit the sweet spot, not only developing a sexy side, but also smart. She helped guide the boys that “built” her (Anthony Michael Hall, Iian Michael Smith) into becoming something greater — and without the need for sex, no less.
She was outstanding and still made a room full of boys collapse demanding she “drop and give me twenty.” She definitely added a major component to this movie, while at the same time creating one of her best on-screen characters. Still love her.
The Theme Song
Oingo Boingo was an amazing band in the 80s. They had a terrific soundtrack of tunes, but one of the standouts was “Weird Science,” the title song of the film. And all these years later, it’s still a banger.
Along with the bizarro (but wild fun) music video above, it was also a chance for the band to have fun with a rock theme — and boy, did they. Not to mention this kind of marked Danny Elfman’s first foray into making music for a film, which would lead him to working with Tim Burton a number of occasions. And if you need any further proof of what kind of legacy that created, just look up The Nightmare Before Christmas. I’ll wait.
Bill Paxton
This actor was sadly taken from us in 2017 at the young age of 61. But over the course of his career, he gave us so much. Twister is still an all-time fave (the man can just read tornado paths), and of course, you have the likes of Tombstone, Predator 2, Edge of Tomorrow and others.
But Paxton was off to a good start in the early 80s, appearing in such films as Streets of Fire, The Terminator and Commando (the guy telling the duo they had to change course when they were going to the island? That’s him). But it’s Weird Science that we truly got to love everything Paxton does.
Playing the role of Chet, the brother of one of Wyatt, he was a bullying force. But he had fun with it, being larger than life and simply being the biggest dick he could possibly be. Hell, at one point he even blasts a door off its hinges because he’s the impatient type. (A bit unrealistic, but, hey, that’s Chet.)
Of course, he got turned into a short, fat alien later on in the movie, but still remained Chet throughout, eating a fly and laughing like an idiot soon after. The movies just aren’t the same without Paxton — no matter what form he takes.
Michael Berryman and Vernon Wells!
This great actor has appeared in a number of horror films over the years, with a brief stint in Double Dragon as well. (I’m surprised I remember this.) But Michael Berryman briefly stopped by Weird Science in a biker gang that threatens Gary and Wyatt while they try to throw a party.
He’s intimidating to be sure, but fun to watch in his brief time. And it’s hilarious how he asks Gary and Wyatt not to tell anyone about the incident. The guy has a reputation to protect.
Oh, and did I mention Vernon Wells of Road Warrior fame? He shows up as well!
All Bets Were Off
A lot of goofiness happened in Weird Science — and it was all the better for it.
Don’t believe me? There’s so much that unpiles in the second half. Some grandparents end up frozen in time in the now-blue kitchen; a woman ends up being sucked out through a chimney while playing piano; and then there’s a nuclear missile, which pops out of the ground and up through the house.
What’s even crazier, however, is an end sequence where Kelly’s character fixes everything. That means Hughes destroyed all this stuff again, just so he could play it all going in reverse. That’s a bonkers way of filmmaking and, honestly, I wish more people had employed it at the time.
And, Of Course, Iron Man
As if Weird Science didn’t already give us enough gems within its less-than-two-hours of playtime, there’s Robert Downey Jr.
Downey was just getting started in Hollywood at the time, well before his unfortunate drug use days and long before he would make a mighty return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man. Weird Science stands out because, alongside his buddy Robert Rusler (Max), they played douches on their own level. I still remember them dousing our heroes with a slushee and then explaining there was a sale at Towel World. (Wait, was Towel World a real business?)
But eventually, they would convince the boys to try and make a girl of their own, instead of being happy with the two girls they already had. They would eventually duck out and let our heroes win the day, but not before Downey delivers what I believe is the line of the movie. You can see it below.
So, yeah. I think Weird Science stood out for a number of reasons and continues to be a fun movie today. Some stuff might be a little cringe-y, like LeBrock pointing a gun at Gary’s parents (they’d forget about it later — along with Gary), but that’s 80s for you. Different time and place.
I think the movie’s a great deal of fun and well worth picking up. And, yes, give the song a listen as well. You won’t regret it.
Have a great week, everyone!
