A movie well-ahead of its time, WarGames follows high schooler David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) as he accidentally finds his way into the US Air Force’s supercomputer while trying to access a video game. Thinking it’s all still a game, he launches a nuclear simulation that could possibly start World War III. WarGames came out before computer hackers and cyberthrillers became popular, so it was rightly lauded by critics and audiences alike for being edgy and forward-thinking, even garnering three Oscar nominations at the time of its release. It may sound gimicky, but WarGames is saved by its smart script, which connects cybersecurity, the military, and gaming in interesting ways. It also features compelling performances by Broderick and The Breakfast Club’s Ally Sheedy. In fact, the film was so convincing that then-President Ronald Reagan, after having seen the film, had federal secruity review their digital defenses and came up months later with the the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. What other film can say that about their influence?
High school student David Lightman has a talent for hacking. But while trying to hack into a computer system to play unreleased video games, he unwittingly taps into the Department of Defense's war computer and initiates a confrontation of global proportions. Together with his friend and a wizardly computer genius, David must race against time to outwit his opponent and prevent a nuclear Armageddon.
Oscars
3 nominations
Cannes
1 nomination
BAFTA
1 win, 2 nominations
WGA
1 nomination
