I like this movie, for being a tolerable family movie for it's time. Even more, my dad's best friend's great-uncle was the General at NORAD at that time. Suspense is a good factor of this movie, hackers may not want to risk starting a nuclear war because of this. Funny, but watch out, language is present in this movie.
WarGames
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Is it age appropriate?
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Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A war-era cautionary tale.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of WarGames was written by Randy White
Parents need to know that this film deals with mature topics such as nuclear war and nuclear holocaust, but also has as its main character a computer hacker who breaks the law without remorse.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about Cold War history. Also, while the movie is dated, it might be provide a way to talk about the current war, and to ask your kids about their own fears.
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More on WarGames
What’s the Story?
America comes to the brink of World War III when a teenager accidentally hacks into a military computer. The story begins when computer gamer David (Matthew Broderick) accidentally cracks into the Pentagon's computer system and starts to play the game "Global Thermonuclear War." But the game is real, and the fate of the world is at stake, leaving David, his friend Jennifer (Ally Sheedy), and government official McKittrick (Dabney Coleman) are in a race to stop the Pentagon computer from bombing Russia.
Is It Any Good?
Although dated in appearance, this clever and suspenseful movie questions both an over-reliance on technology and the Reagan-era defense policy. This movie makes a strong case against nuclear war, portraying it as a game of brinksmanship with no winners. It also warns against leaving the responsibility of starting a nuclear war to artificial intelligence technology. The final sequence dramatizes these dangers with simulated explosions on wall-sized screens.
Nevertheless, WarGames manages to have fun with a very serious topic. The overall atmosphere of the movie is playful, as kids ride their bikes from house to house while the fate of the world rests in their hands. The Pacman-era technology may seem hokey by today's standards, but the military command center, with its multiple screens, is still impressive. Ironically, much of the "computer" simulation was accomplished with good old-fashioned animation. The movie anticipates various technological advances, most notably the explosion of the Internet. Teens interested in computers and game theory will find much to enjoy.
Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA, Director: John Badham
Run time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/3/1983, DVD release: 4/28/1998
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic intensity
Run time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/3/1983, DVD release: 4/28/1998
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic intensity
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