Watch The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
- G
- 1969
- 1 hr 31 min
-
5.9 (5,978)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a family-friendly comedy movie from Walt Disney Productions, released in 1969. The film stars Kurt Russell as Dexter Riley, a college student who experiences an unexpected surge of brainpower after a freak laboratory accident. The cast also includes Cesar Romero as the college's wealthy benefactor, A.J. Arno, and Joe Flynn as the harried college dean who tries to keep up with the antics of his students.
The movie is set in the fictional Medfield College, a run-down school that's struggling to stay afloat. Dexter is a likable but scatterbrained student who works in the college's computer lab. One afternoon, while hooking up the college's new computer, Dexter accidentally activates the machine's experimental brain wave power source. Instantly, Dexter's intellectual abilities are heightened, and he absorbs vast amounts of knowledge on a wide range of subjects.
At first, Dexter isn't sure what to do with his newfound intelligence. But when he overhears Arno discussing his latest scheme to cheat the college out of a large sum of money, Dexter realizes that he has the power to put a stop to the evil plan. He convinces his friends to help him hack into the college's mainframe computer, hoping to find evidence of Arno's wrongdoing.
Of course, nothing goes according to plan, and Dexter and his pals find themselves on the run from the villainous Arno and his henchmen. Along the way, they get into all kinds of zany adventures, including a high-speed car chase, a singing competition, and an impromptu basketball game. But through it all, Dexter remains focused on his mission to bring down Arno's illicit operation.
One of the standout features of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is Kurt Russell's performance as Dexter. Russell was just 17 years old at the time of filming, and he brings a youthful energy and charm to the role. He's a relatable protagonist who's easy to root for, even as he and his friends get into increasingly ridiculous situations.
Cesar Romero is equally entertaining as Arno, the film's over-the-top villain. Arno is a classic Disney bad guy, all smarmy charm and cartoonish evil. He's the kind of guy who twirls his mustache and cackles maniacally as he plots his nefarious schemes. It's impossible not to enjoy watching him get foiled at every turn by the plucky Medfield students.
The supporting cast is also strong, with Joe Flynn in particular standing out as the beleaguered college dean. Flynn is a veteran character actor who brings a sense of warmth and humor to his role, despite his character's constant exasperation with the students under his charge. There are also a number of fun cameos from familiar faces, including William Schallert as a washed-up former athlete and Alan Hewitt as a befuddled judge.
The movie's plot is fairly straightforward, with few surprises in store. But what sets The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes apart is its sense of fun and irreverence. The movie is full of lighthearted gags and goofy set-pieces, all executed with a wink and a nod to the audience. It's the kind of movie that will make you chuckle and shake your head in disbelief, but in the best possible way.
Overall, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a delightful slice of retro family entertainment. It's a movie that captures a specific time and place in American culture, when the idea of a computer with enough power to change the world was thrilling and new. But more than that, it's a movie that celebrates the power of friendship, ingenuity, and good old-fashioned mischief-making. If you're looking for a movie that will put a smile on your face, this one is definitely worth a watch.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a 1969 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 54.