“Shall We Play a Game?” WarGames
WarGames, a teenage film that played on real fears ~Image via Wikipedia
One movie that had real impact on me as a kid was the movie, WarGames (1983). We were still living the second Cold War, so this movie touched on real fears I had as a teenager: At any moment, the powers that be in Washington and Moscow could end it all in a brilliant flash of deadly light. It was a reality I lived with all of my teenage years.
Plot Summary
The movie centers around a teenage computer wizard, Matthew Broderick, who accidentally connects to a top-secret government computer and sees the game Global Thermonuclear War. He and his girlfriend, Ally Sheedy, do not realize when it asks, “Shall we play a game?” they are about to initiate World War 3.
The U.S. military takes the simulation to be real and begins preperations for an appropriate counterattack. Of course, everyone understands that by counterattacking, the entire world is going to be destroyed. But you know how it is with the big boys, it’s all about tit for tat whatever the cost.
The message at the end of the movie is loud and clear.
Still Here!
Although the movie was a light take on a serious situation, WarGames gave me hope that the short-sighted adults in power would realize the folly of their ways and not hit the big red button. And look, I’m still here today!
Watch the WarGames trailer: “Shall we play a game?” (Love that sound bite!)
Check out the ancient computer equipment. Gotta love it!
Did you have any fears of a nuclear war back in the 80’s? How did it affect you growing up?
I was a tween when the 80s started. I spent my formative years being influenced by the culture, music, and fashion of that crazy and loveable decade. This is an interactive blog designed for women to share what they loved, loathed, and lived in the 80s. It's gonna be a fun ride! 
Ladies Loving the 80's 