MovieChat Forums > The Manhattan Project (1986) Discussion > The screenplay here was mindless and stu...

The screenplay here was mindless and stupid

posted 17 years ago by ediaz8
15 replies | jump to latest

This naturally is a ripoff of "WarGames" but at least it was based on a real life incident that occurred in 1980 (see the "WarGames" DVD booklet for details). There wasn't a credible reason for Paul to do what he did, he went crazy and he should've been arrested or even shot because he was a threat to National Security as well as Dr. Mathewson for violating the nuclear protocol when he sided with Paul instead of neutralizing the standoff as he was ordered to. Nuclear facilities are guarded 24/7, 365 days a year and it was inaccurate how desolated that facility was, very weak security. Did he do that because he was mad at his mom for dating Dr. Mathewson? This was obviously done in a hurry or the studio simply wanted a popcorn/exciting movie.

[–] meangirl3 17 years ago

I agree. This movie was on tv late the other night and it seemed interesting at first..but the storyline was just LAME. I mean, COME ON! The national guard and the nuclear scientists acted like such pollyannas. I can't believe everything was all honky dorey at the end, with no arrests. I mean..most movies are a little unrealistic and i accept that..but this was just plain STUPID. The two teenagers were obviously mentally ill..haha.

"Was your vagina drunk?!" ~Knocked Up

[–] rexcass2185 17 years ago

I completely agree with everything said here. Nonetheless I got much enjoyment out of this movie, I loved seeing all the 80s science sets and laughed at most of the dialogue it even built me up to a good level of suspense there at the end. Plus it has one of the best lines in cinematic history "because life my dear is more than freezing toads." It was a completely 80stastic movie and I found myself quite entertained. Plus it moved at a good pace, which is something that can’t always be said for more critically acclaimed pictures. All in all a very pleasing 5/10.

BestRaceEver http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000114/thread/94568306?d=94568306&p=1 #94568306

[–] christhepenguin3 17 years ago

Here's a protip for you fellas...

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

IT'S A MOVIE

It's ok to watch a movie once in a while without overly criticizing and laughing at it. It obviously wasn't meant to be a serious film.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rexcass2185 17 years ago

This film was obviously meant to be a light entertainment piece not a serious film that could happen in real life. That is what the poster means when he/she says this is a movie and that it should not be over criticized. Any Idiot could point out plot holes in this film; it was not intended to be a realistic thought provoking film. Those who pick this film apart are to dense to understand or comprehend a film that was intended to be brought under heavy criticism so they have gone after this easy target. Mindless movies can however be laughed at, that is part of their charm and if done right, like this one was, can add a lot to the picture.

Evolution is a fact, not a theory. - Carl Sagan

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rexcass2185 17 years ago

All the user in question was trying to suggest, and I find myself agreeing with him/her more and more, is maybe you all are reading just a little to much into this movie. He/She never said his/her opinion was the only right one. This Idea of "I am right you are wrong" comes through much more strongly in some of the previous posts then the one in question.

Evolution is a fact, not a theory. - Carl Sagan

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rexcass2185 17 years ago

what makes you think you're not reading enough into it?

The kid uses a remote control car and Frisbees to break into a government secured nuclear testing facility and steals a canister of Plutonium that he replaces with dish soap (and no one notices for at least a week!!!!!) and he shuts down the security system by removing a little green button with his pocketknife.

Just because a movie deals with the a nuclear bomb does not mean it has something to say about the state of the world.

Evolution is a fact, not a theory. - Carl Sagan

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rexcass2185 17 years ago

The execution was excellent the writing was poor.

Evolution is a fact, not a theory. - Carl Sagan

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] arthurab 8 years ago

Evolution won't get you to Heaven, a FACT Carl Sagan found out too late, I'll bet.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 3 years ago

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

IT WAS A SILLY MOVIE

ETC.

And it had more holes in it than a championship golf course! 5.8/10.

😎

[–] Simon-140 9 years ago

While the screenplay wasn't great, I don't think it was stupid.

One point that nobody seems to have mentioned (although I'm sure someone must have, at some time is the past) is the metaphorical fission or chain-reaction which the protagonists used to create a 1980's "flash-mob" outside the facility. That struck me as a modestly clever device, in a film about nuclear fission.
____
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