This movie had its fans, particularly those whom who like; its honest portrayal of the highs and lows of adolescent, it's not so stereotypical 1980's teen characters and the theme of the little guy trying to become somebody within his society, but for me, I found this movie to be, somewhat unwatchable. I'm not a fan of this movie at all. I give the movie, some credit, the movie does have a terrific young cast. Both the main actor, Corey Haim and the female lead, Kerri Green were amazing and very attractive in their role. Supporting actors like Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder weren't that bad, as well. However, this movie wasn't that inspirational to me. The reason, why I'm say this movie is a poor man, Rudy is because, unlike the 1993 movie, which had a very inspiring main character, wanting to join the football team in order, to better himself and his family, by getting a college education. This coming of age movie about a socially inept boy, Lucas Blye (Corey Haim) trying to join the high school football team, only, because he was suicidal by heartbreak. By heartbreak, I meant, that the local girl, he has a crush on, Maggie (Kerri Green) doesn't want to date him. You can see the problem of the story, right here. He isn't doing this, because he has love of the sport, he just doing this, in order to change her mind of him. It's in the same mindset levels of a man like John Hinckley Jr shooting the President in order to impress Jodi Foster. It's disturbing. It felt a little more self-centered and selfish, than inspiring. I hate the fact, that this movie was market as a sport movie, because it isn't all about his dreams of being a football player at all. The football plot, only plays a part, toward the end. The movie is more about learning to deal with first love and teen angst. Don't get me wrong, I love 1980s coming to age stories that deals with this. After all, 1985's Breakfast Club is one of my favorite movies of all time, but this movie directed by David Seltzer, really anger me, in saying it's a sport movie, when it's barely is. The reason why Rudy works, and this film doesn't, is because Rudy's not only fighting to get into the team, but also driven to help others, reach their goals. They is a reason to root for him. Not only does Lucas barely show, any interest in the sport, but he rarely treat his friends any better. Ignoring them, isn't going to help you. The movie really tries to make him, into a hero with the idea of him, being a victim of bullying, but when you think about it, the school wasn't really that mean to him. Most kids in his school, honestly somewhat accept him. It's only a few guys that really doesn't like him! Honestly, how many nerdy teens in the 1980s, do you know, are able to hang out with the captain of the football team, while, also being cool with one of hottest girls, in school? Not that many. So, I don't buy the whole, stand up against natural selection, BS, this movie is, saying, because of the fact that there are girls that secretly love Lucas. Yes, I get that, his best friends—somewhat betrayed him, when his older-brother figure, Chappie Roew (Charlie Sheen) and his crush, fall for each other. However, as upsetting, it is, to him and for me to see those two hook up. I still can't feel too much pity for Lucas. I feel worst for Chappie ex, Alise, (Country Thorne Smith), because she end up with nobody in the end. The reasons why, I couldn't felt pity for Lucas, is because he still good friends like Reda (Winona Ryder). It's very stupid to see him, always overlooking her sexual advances throughout the film. You have to be really crazy, not to want to date a girl like her. I would love to see a scene where Lucas finally admit, that he mistreated Reda, so badly, and ask her to forgive him. You know, like address the love, he has for her. It would had, made a better ending than the misguided slow clap for Lucas after getting himself, nearly kill and quitting football. Honestly, what the hell!? How is getting a football jacket, supposed to solve anything!? He still lives, poor with his alcoholic father. He's now suffers from a severe concussion and most, likely not going to finish school. Also the fact, that the movie never resolve that conflict with Reda, nor does look for a solution to the love triangle between Chappie, Maggie and him. What a horrible ending! I hate how the movie ends so abruptly with him, getting a varsity jacket. Anyways, take off your nostalgia glasses, people! That wasn't the only problem with this movie. The whole symbolism with the locust was also a bit off in its message in morphology. I get the movie wants to use it, as a metaphor for growing up, but if the filmmakers read any science book, they would know that having locusts around, isn't a good thing like having butterflies. They're a serious economic threat to agriculture. If anything, the sign of locusts returning, is bad news than good. Overall: Besides the good acting, the wonderful music by Dave Grusin, this movie isn't a film, I will rewatch, anytime, soon. If you want to check it out, go ahead. You might like it, but for me. I'm staying far away from this film. It upset me, too much.

It's a pretty good film showing a boy who's not popular but still variably appreciated in the end for his efforts short and to these points. Yes it's portrayal of an outcast who still manages to have a girlfriend.Yes The now late Corey Haim may well have been typecast as an outcast as we may see from film to film and even on TV like in "Roomies" later on.Yes Lucas' love of bugs doesn't even draw his girlfriend away from him anymore than when they go to a concert underground where he can move the round lid & ask some man above to lend him his program but without giving to much away we get to see how in the end Lucas get's to be appreciated more and more.What can anyone also say but sadly Corey Haims's Star had faded upon his getting older.Truthfully, Stephen "Steve" G.Baer a.k.a. "Ste" of Framingham,Ma.USA

Though "Lucas" falls into the usual teenage film trap, it is saved by very sympathetic characters and a very good performance by Corey Haim. It's so interesting and revealing to see Winona Ryder, Jeremy Piven and Marty Sheen when they were young teenagers.The film tries to discuss the age old problem of a very bright teenager, who at 14, is advanced in high school. While he may be academically suited to be with the other students, physically, emotionally and socially he isn't.The trap that this film falls into as well as so many others with similar subject matter is that the young lad has to do something to impress everyone, even if it endangers his life. How many times have we seen these first-love films where the older young lady falls for the only friend that Haim (Lucas) has? The bitterness, the brave act and a change of heart by the group he has tried to impress are all common denominators in such films.The ending is inspiring though well predicted beforehand.

Lucas (1986) **** (out of 4) Marvelous coming of age film has Corey Haim playing the title character, a 14-year-old dork who finds himself in high school due to his brains. During the summer he meets a new girl (Kerri Green) who he falls in love with but she ends up with the popular quarterback (Charlie Sheen), which Lucas doesn't quite understand. This comedy/drama is without question one of the best of the 80s as it features a terrific story, a great young cast and some down to Earth real moments that make it an easy classic. The screenplay by writer/director Seltzer makes the right decision to have the characters we're watching to be realistic and smart to the situation going on. I think the script makes the right choice to have Lucas know he's a dork and know that in the real world things don't always go his way. The fact that Lucas falls in love with someone he obviously can't have makes for a lot of movies like this but this film takes it to the next level because Lucas is someone we can all identify with and the supporting players are likely people we know as well. We get the popular character, the dorky character, the popular one and the mean one. All of the characters are given enough time to fully develop where we can connect with all of them and that's why this film works so well. Most films just give us one-note characters but all of the ones here change over time and full develop as the movie unfolds. The film is smart enough to make us understand why some might not take a liking to Lucas and we even turn on him a little as his attitude towards the Green character changes. The performances are also a major plus here as we get a very talent cast and many future famous faces. Haim was born to play this role and he does a terrific job with it as he's able to capture every emotion that his character has and really nails all of them. Be it comedy, drama or romance, Haim hits all the right notes and delivers one of the more memorable performances of the decade. Both Green and Sheen are excellent and really deliver on all their scenes. We even have Jeremy Piven and Winona Ryder delivering good supporting performances. The movie follows a somewhat familiar storyline but it takes a few different spins on the familiar plot and in the end really becomes one of the more memorable films from this genre. It seems there was a different teen movie being released each and every week during the 80s and God knows there are some really bad ones out there but this one here is certainly at the top of the class in terms of heart and entertainment.