Weird Science’s Chet Is Bill Paxton’s Most Underrated Performance
Weird Science is a 1985 John Hughes sci-fi comedy that cast Bill Paxton in a supporting role, with Chet being one of his most underrated turns.
In a career filled with breathtaking turns, weird science Chet is perhaps Bill Paxton’s most underrated performance. Writer/director John Hughes was extremely prolific throughout the 80s and 90s and was responsible for some of the greatest comedies of that decade. After having scripted films like those of 1983 National Lampoon’s Holidayhe went behind the camera to direct teen comedies sixteen candles and Ferris Bueller’s day off. The Breakfast Club – which featured five college students from different walks of life bonding over a detention weekend — might be his most beloved work.
He later moved on from teen movies to directing movies like Planes, trains and automobiles – whose perfect ending was a happy accident – with Steve Martin and John Candy. While he retired from directing after the 1991 middlings curly suehis name continued to appear in the credits of the first three Alone at home Jennifer Lopez movies and romantic drama Made in Manhattan. His work has also had a huge influence on filmmakers like Kevin Smith and Jon Watts.
Even among his eclectic resume, weird science from 1985 – the same year The breakfast club was released – is one of his weirdest. It’s a mix of teen comedy and sci-fi b-movie, where two dope teenagers create a beautiful woman named Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) with their computer. Lisa then teaches them important life lessons, though her presence also creates chaos for both of them. Although his screen time is all too brief, the late, great Bill Paxton’s turn as Chet is one of weird science comic highlights.
Bill Paxton – who almost had a alien vs predator 2 cameo – Chet is in military school and is tasked with caring for his younger brother Wyatt while their parents are away. weird science Chet is the stereotypical bullying older brother pushed to age 11 who delights in tormenting his sibling. Paxton has a long line of credits – often in sci-fi movies – where he steals scenes, including aliens‘Hudson or edge of tomorrow. weird science Chet is perhaps Bill Paxton’s most underrated performance, because while he received great reviews for the role, it truly is comedic perfection.
From Chet’s flat-out haircut to his horrible laugh, Paxton has created one of the most disgusting screen bullies of all time. He hammers punchlines like “How about a good greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray?— which is a line Paxton took — to sicken his hungover brother. Even when weird science Chet is turned into a festering Jabba The Hutt-style beast by Lisa as punishment for his bullying ways, his voice work sells the illusion that this blobby puppet is still the same Chet inside. Whether or not weird science Chet is one of Bill Paxton’s most underrated turns, he went on to cite the role as one that gave his career at the time a real boost.
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