Hackers (DVD, 1998)

First off, I was in high school when this movie came out in 1995 and some how had no interest in seeing and by passed altogether. I became curious about a year ago when I saw my wife's cousin carrying a UMD version of the disc with his PSP. I decided to check it out on youtube, and low and behold I found my way into the underground cult which recognizes that awesomeness of this movie. At that point, I went ahead and bought my used copy for less than se7en dollars.

It should be said up front that if you are looking for realism or accuracy of what real hacking is like, this movie does not have it. What it does have is an exhibition of what a hacker or someone who makes use of hacks (like myself) feels when they are in the computer or "on the mainframe". I was thrown back by the camera sequences of the actual signal/packet travelling from a hacker's phone line to the Gibson, even now at 15 years of the film's age. The references to the Pentium and the modem are inaccurate, but it reminded me of when it was cool to be able to ramble specs of computers back then while knowing exactly what you were talking about. The costumes of the characters are unforgettable, as it reminds us how bright colored the mid-nintys were. If your like me, you'll be noddin your head to the electronic soundtrack for just about the entire movie. The cast, for this type of movie, is pretty solid along with the acting. The delivery of all the lines in the movie is pretty convincing and didn't have me thinking that the lines were memorized a few minutes before filming. Even if you don't like the movie, at least Angelina Jolie is a reason to carefully watch the movie... Overall, the film makes me flashback to my high school experience and think about where I was at the time. The only thing I didn't like in this movie was the obvious cigarette placement, as there are several scenes where one of the main supporting characters is showen sucking down cigaretts like there is no tomorrow. Coke was also prominently placed, but it makes sense that a hacker would want constant caffine intake in order to stay up all night. If your remotely a techie, its a movie that shouldn't taken too seriously, but should be enjoyed.

As a depiction of the computer-hacker underground, this movie is bogus to the bone. As a thriller, it's cartoonish and conventional. The premise (computer-happy kids hack into the wrong system, and the Forces of Repression come after them) is recycled from John Badham's 1983 WarGames. And the corporate-creep bad guy, played by Fisher Stevens, steeples his fingers and growls mossy villainous clichés. ("By the time they realize the truth, we'll be long gone with all the money.") For all its postmodern trappings the movie is working with sub-prehistoric storytelling tools. But it does succeed on one level, as a movie about adolescent bonding and alienation. The director, Iain Softley, helmed the Beatles-in-Hamburg biopic Backbeat, and he seems to have an instinct for the emotions that pull kids together around common interests and the insecurities that drive them apart. The familiar crises of loyalty and betrayal have an ache of real loneliness. It doesn't hurt that the two stars, Jonny Lee Miller (Sick Boy Williamson in Trainspotting) and Angelina Jolie (Gia), are just about equally gorgeous and charismatic; their longing glances steam up the screen.

A genius computer geek, Dade Murphy (played by John Lee Miller), that has
been on the sidelines for some years rejoins the computer crime underworld.
Enlisting fellow hackers KILLER (Matthew Lillard); Nikon (Lawrence Mason)
and Kate (Angelina Jolie), they stumble upon a sinister cyber plot orchestrated
by a corporate computer expert. High tech suspense ensues. A good thriller
that will fill an evening with good entertainment. Will be enjoyed by the
entire family includeing teens.

Hackers, great movie. You have to remember it was in released in 1998, and its Hollywoods version of Hackers, so on that part you have to take it with a grain of salt. I found it entertaining. A young group of hackers stumble upon a computer virus planted in the Ellington computer system by their very own IT guy. In turn, the Ellington hacker tries to set up the hackers to take the fall for the partially discovered theft he's in the midst of doing. Its definitely a fantasy version of what a Hacker is, but like all movies, either you love it or hate it (I love it), and found it very entertaining. A young Angelina Jolie; Acid Burn other characters include Lord Nikon, Zero Cool... Need I say more! I put it up on the shelf next to my Star Wars, LOTR, and Napoleon Dynamite. Its a classic in my opinion. Drink Jolt Cola (do they still make it?, YES They do!!) I really did enjoy this great DVD. So, if your with me.... HACKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!

I have loved this movie from day one. Just a great movie in a small super sleuth way. Sure it maybe chessy or dated since technology has changed so much in 10 yrs. But at the time it came out it was one of the better computer geek movies.

The music is great and to this day you can still hear it on some stations which should always remind you of the film. Angelina in her first role...not digging the short hait too much, but hey, it fit the cyber image. Now look at her today.

If you like like movies with just pure fun and teen angst, this is for you.
Nothing to serious and nothing to dramatic, just great fun. If you like it as well as I do...then I highly recommend getting it. I finally was able to find it on DVD and for a great price. It arrived as described in NEW sealed condition and plays great. If you like it a lot then I also recommend getting a simular type movie called "Gleaming the Cube", with Christian Slater. Same style but with skateboards, murder and intrigue.....lol.

Thanks for letting me write a review for a great movie.

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