Weird Science

Weird Science has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on YouTube TV, and in the UK on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 1,558 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Anthony Michael Hall is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on YouTube TV.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Weird Science earns its spot. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Weird Science from the crowd. Two unpopular teenagers, Gary and Wyatt, fail at all attempts to be accepted by their peers. Their desperation to be liked leads them to "create" a woman via their computer. Their living and breathing creation is a gorgeous woman, Lisa, whose purpose is to boost their confidence level by putting them into situations which require Gary and Wyatt to act like men. The chemistry Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. It was released in 1985. What keeps Weird Science from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Weird Science is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Anthony Michael Hall's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.