Movie Review: WarGames - The Dead Code

It’s not very often that you will catch me doing a review for a movie that has yet to be released. WarGames: The Dead Code is the start of a direct-to-DVD series that are apparently sequels to the original. The first movie of this series (The Dead Code) doesn’t actually come out until July 29th, how I’ve seen the movie already isn’t important but I wanted to share my thoughts before you spent (or wasted) your money on the upcoming DVD.

I’m somewhat disappointed that they decided to take the name of a geek culture classic and slap it onto these new movies. I mean if they are expecting a geeky audience, from what I’ve seen in The Dead Code I’m less then impressed with the realism or even comical appeal that was found in the original. If they are targeting people who are into unrealistic computer hacking movies and suburbanite families looking for something to watch on a Saturday night, I doubt they would know about the original WarGames movie, so why use the name for this new series?

Wargames: The Dead Code tells the story of Will, an 18 year old kid who through his efforts to impress a girl named Annie, unwittingly gets registered with the Department of Homeland Security as a potential terrorist. Now Will and Annie must work together to clear their names and save Philadelphia from total annihilation! It sounds a lot like the original WarGames story right? While the movie makes plenty of references to the original WarGames including bringing back a special guest from the dead (perhaps that’s why it’s called The Dead Code?) I doubt the new title will become an instant classic mostly due to the ‘made for TV’ acting, mediocre effects, and subpar attention to detail. But if you’re a collector of tech related movies like me, you will probably end up purchasing a copy anyways.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of WarGames and help spread the word about the upcoming sequel, the studios are doing a special one night event at select theaters nationwide this Thursday, July 24th. The showing will include never-before-seen interviews with the film’s creators and cast, it will also have a sneak peek at the making of the upcoming WarGames: The Dead Code. I doubt that my local cinema will be participating but it’s tempting to drive down to the cities to see this classic on the big screen. Check out the WarGames 25th Anniversary website to find a showing near you.