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{{italic title}}
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[[File:The Wizard Poster.jpg|thumb|''The Wizard'' poster, featuring [[Mario]] at the top-right corner.]]
{{film infobox
'''''The Wizard''''' is a film directed by Todd Holland, released on December 15, 1989, that stars Luke Edwards, Fred Savage, and Jenny Lewis. The movie featured several cameos and direct references to [[Nintendo]]-related products, as well as many video games released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. Due to this, the movie has been called a commercial for Nintendo, but has nevertheless gained a cult following. It is also notable for being the first introduction of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' to North American audiences, and the game is featured prominently in the climax of the film. ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' was referenced in the movie almost a year until its release in North America.
|image=[[File:The Wizard Poster.jpg|200px]]
|alias=
|format=
|creator=
|devel=
|writer=David Chisholm
|direct={{wp|Todd Holland}}
|creadir=
|star={{wp|Fred Savage}}<br>{{wp|Beau Bridges}}<br>{{wp|Christian Slater}}
|voice=
|compose={{wp|J. Peter Robinson}}
|origin=[[United States of America]]
|language=English
|rating=PG
|execprod=
|prod=
|editor=Tom Finan
|prodloc=
|prodcompany=The Finnegan/Pinchuk Company<br>Pipeline Productions<br>{{wp|Cinergi Pictures}}<br>[[Universal Pictures]]
|cinema={{wp|Robert Yeoman}}
|camera=
|runtime=100 minutes
|budget=$6 million
|release={{flag list|USA|December 15, 1989<ref>{{cite|title=The Wizard (1989) - Financial Information|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Wizard-The#tab=summary|publisher=The Numbers|language=English|accessdate=November 25, 2024|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523025734/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Wizard-The#tab=summary}}</ref>}}
|boxoffice=$14.3 million
|status=
}}
'''''{{wp|The Wizard (1989 film)|The Wizard}}''''' is a family film directed by Todd Holland, released by [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] on December 15, 1989, that stars Luke Edwards, Fred Savage, and Jenny Lewis. The movie featured several cameos and direct references to [[Nintendo]]-related products, as well as many video games released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. The movie has been criticized for its excessive product placement of Nintendo material and for its heavy similarities to the film ''{{wp|Rain Man}}'' from the previous year, but has nevertheless gained a cult following.


==''Mario'' references in ''The Wizard''==
==''Super Mario'' references in ''The Wizard''==
[[File:TheWizardSMB3.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Super Mario Bros. 3'' being played by the title character of ''The Wizard''.]]
''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' is featured as the game played in the final event of the Video Armageddon competition at the end of the film, predating its western release on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]. As the scene progresses, protagonist Jimmy Woods (Luke Edwards) manages to find the [[Recorder|Magic Flute]] in the [[Grass Land|World 1]] Fortress and wins the competition by warping to [[Giant Land|World 4]] (which would not actually score extra points in the game itself, implying that the competition had a different scoring system). Additionally, the emcee at the Video Armageddon announces several level names incorrectly (for instance, calling level 1-3 "World 2"). ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' is mentioned and seen being played occasionally at earlier points in the film. Sound effects from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' can be heard at a few points as well. [[Mario]] and a [[Sidestepper]] were prominently featured in the background of the film's poster artwork (which was later reused as the box art for the VHS and Blu-ray release<ref>https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Wizard-Blu-ray/30506/</ref>).
''Super Mario Bros. 3'' is featured as the game played in the final event of the Video Armageddon competition at the end of the film. As the scene progresses, protagonist Jimmy Woods (Luke Edwards) manages to find the [[Warp Whistle]] in the [[Grass Land|World 1]] Fortress and wins the competition by warping to [[Giant Land|World 4]] (which wouldn't actually score extra points in the game itself; the competition probably has a different scoring system). Curiously, the audience becomes immediately aware of how the game is played, despite the fact that at the time of the film's release, the game would not be available for another three months. Additionally, the emcee at the Video Armageddon announces several level names incorrectly (for instance, calling level 1-3 "World 2"). ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' is mentioned and seen being played occasionally at earlier points in the film. Sound effects from ''Super Mario Bros.'' can be heard at a few points as well. Mario was prominently featured in the background of the film's poster artwork (which was later reused as the box art for the VHS release).


[[Category:Movies]]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
TheWizardSMB3.jpg|''Super Mario Bros. 3'' being played by the title character of ''The Wizard''.
</gallery>
{{br}}
 
==References==
<references/>
 
{{TV series and films}}
[[Category:Films]]

Latest revision as of 18:02, November 25, 2024

The Wizard
The Wizard Poster.jpg
General information
Director(s) Todd Holland
Writer(s) David Chisholm
Starring Fred Savage
Beau Bridges
Christian Slater
Composer(s) J. Peter Robinson
Country of origin United States of America
Original language English
Rating PG
Production
Editor(s) Tom Finan
Production company The Finnegan/Pinchuk Company
Pipeline Productions
Cinergi Pictures
Universal Pictures
Cinematography Robert Yeoman
Runtime 100 minutes
Budget $6 million
Distribution
Release date USA December 15, 1989[1]
Box office $14.3 million

The Wizard is a family film directed by Todd Holland, released by Universal Studios on December 15, 1989, that stars Luke Edwards, Fred Savage, and Jenny Lewis. The movie featured several cameos and direct references to Nintendo-related products, as well as many video games released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The movie has been criticized for its excessive product placement of Nintendo material and for its heavy similarities to the film Rain Man from the previous year, but has nevertheless gained a cult following.

Super Mario references in The Wizard[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 3 is featured as the game played in the final event of the Video Armageddon competition at the end of the film, predating its western release on the NES. As the scene progresses, protagonist Jimmy Woods (Luke Edwards) manages to find the Magic Flute in the World 1 Fortress and wins the competition by warping to World 4 (which would not actually score extra points in the game itself, implying that the competition had a different scoring system). Additionally, the emcee at the Video Armageddon announces several level names incorrectly (for instance, calling level 1-3 "World 2"). Super Mario Bros. 2 is mentioned and seen being played occasionally at earlier points in the film. Sound effects from Super Mario Bros. can be heard at a few points as well. Mario and a Sidestepper were prominently featured in the background of the film's poster artwork (which was later reused as the box art for the VHS and Blu-ray release[2]).

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Wizard (1989) - Financial Information. The Numbers (English). Retrieved November 25, 2024. (Archived May 23, 2023, 02:57:34 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  2. ^ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Wizard-Blu-ray/30506/