Summary

The 1992 film Sneakers is a hacker-themed suspense comedy that, despite its outdated technology, is considered to have stood the test of time due to its charm and strong cast.

Abstract

Sneakers is a 1992 film featuring an ensemble cast led by Robert Redford as a reformed hacker, Martin Bishop, who now runs a tech-savvy criminal operation with a group of eccentric characters. The plot revolves around their attempt to steal a black box capable of decoding all encryption systems, leading to a mix of danger and intrigue. Although the movie showcases now-antiquated technologies like landline phones, VCRs, and voice identification security systems, these elements add to its nostalgic appeal. Despite being over two decades old, the film's blend of comedy, light action, and a touch of romance continues to entertain audiences, earning it a rating of 3.5-4 out of 5 stars.

Opinions

The author finds the outdated technology in Sneakers endearing and part of the film's charm.
Sneakers is not overly demanding or intense, offering a lighthearted viewing experience.
The author suggests that modern technologies like cellphones could replace all the outdated technologies featured in the film if it were remade today.
River Phoenix's role in the film is deemed minimal and not his best work, with the author recommending other films like Stand By Me and My Own Private Idaho for better performances by Phoenix.
The film is recommended as a "sweet comedy light action film" suitable for a casual Friday night viewing.
The author notes the irony that discussions about Russian-American government relations are still relevant in 2020, as they were in the film's 1992 setting.

Can a 1992 Hacker Movie Stand the Test of Time?

Featuring five outdated technologies.

Chunky computer monitors, landlines, and video recorders play prominent roles in the 1992 suspense comedy, Sneakers. The ensemble cast is led by a middle-aged Robert Redford who plays Martin Bishop, hacker-turned-criminal on the run. His new business involves a quirky undercover techy crime ring of questionable friends.

Martin’s friends include Crease (Sidney Poitier), Mother (Dan Aykroyd), Carl (River Phoenix), and Whistler (David Strathairn). Ben Kingsley plays the film’s antagonist, Cosmo.

Sneakers (PG-13), directed by Phil Alden Robinson, was released on September 11, 1992. When it came out, I was in 8th grade. I don’t remember having any interest in seeing it — honestly, I don’t even remember it crossing my radar.

Recently, when doing some research on River Phoenix, I came across this film and thought, why not give Sneakers a chance? It’s billed a “comedy caper.” I don’t like action, suspense, or spy films in general, but the comedy part and strong cast drew me in. I decided it was worth the five bucks for me to buy on Amazon Prime.

18 years have now passed since the movie’s release in ‘92 — a whole childhood gone by. Does this 90s hacker movie stand the test of time?

The Plot

What’s the storyline of Sneakers? Graeme Roy, featured on imdb.com, has a more articulate answer than me:

Martin Bishop is the head of a group of experts who specialize in testing security systems. When he is blackmailed by government agents into stealing a top secret black box, the team find themselves embroiled in a game of danger and intrigue. After they recover the box, they discover that it has the capability to decode all existing encryption systems around the world, and that the agents who hired them didn’t work for the government after all.

Sneakers’ opening scene takes place during a 1969 December snowstorm. Two young college-aged kids, Martin and Cosmo, prepare to take down the system with their hacking skills. Jazzy music plays in the background.

When Martin leaves for pizza, Cosmo gets caught by the police and thrown in prison where he eventually purportedly dies. Fast forward to 1992.

The group gets entangled in a battle over securing a black answering machine box and the action of the movie takes off. Although it’s now dated, especially as a hacker film, the outdated technology adds to the film’s charm.

The Russians are a big part of the plot point — you still can’t trust the Russians, is the general sentiment. It’s ironic that we’re still discussing the Russian-American government relationship, and fervently, in 2020.

Outdated Technologies

1. Landline Phones

Certain Sneakers scenes wouldn’t work well in 2020 now that cellphones are in use everywhere. This wasn’t the case in 1992. At one point, Mary McDonnell’s character, Liz, excuses herself to go upstairs and use the telephone.

I suppose someone could excuse themselves to make a private cellphone call these days, but it might seem a bit strange on a date. By the way, Liz pretends to be “Doris” on this “computer date” in order to get a voice recording for bypassing a security system — it’s pivotal to the plotline.

2. VCRs and Camcorders

Advanced versions of recorders are still used by professionals, but the technologies are more advanced in 2020 and don’t revolve around bulky the VCR tapes that we knew in the 1980s and early 90s.

There’s lots of setting up tripods to get video recorded footage and playing it back in rewind, pause, and fast forward mode in the team’s spy van. Today, cellphones would likely take place of this equipment.

3. Answering Machines

Some of you youngin’s probably don’t know what an answering machine is. We old fogies used them back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. They served as a voicemail device but weren’t magically recorded within our phones. Well, eventually, maybe they were — my memory’s a little fuzzy.

In any case, the answering machine plays a main role in this film. It’d have to be played by something else today — a tiny computer chip perhaps? It’s forgivable though; even kind of charming in its old-fashionedness.

4. Voice Identification Security

Security technologies have advanced by leaps and bounds since 1992 and fingerprints on touchscreens and eye detection are two newer security systems that would be a lot harder for the quirky team to hack into than simply copying someone’s voice.

5. Computers before the World Wide Web and Internet became mainstream

This hacker film takes place prior to the advent of widespread access and knowledge of the web and the internet. If Sneakers was remade in the 2020s a cellphone could serve the function of all 5 of these older technologies. It makes one wonder what technologies will be outdated eighteen years from now…

Does Sneakers Stand the Test of Time?

It’s not the best film but it won’t make you think too hard or worry too much. It’s lighthearted, even coy. There’s a sweet little romance-but-not-romance between Bishop and Liz that’s not too ooey-gooey.

If you’re wondering, River Phoenix’ role is barely there and the acting is not that good. If you’re looking for a quality Phoenix film I’d recommend Stand By Me, Running on Empty, or My Own Private Idaho.

I’d recommend this as a sweet comedy light action film to watch on a Friday night. I agree with the 3.5–4/5 stars it seems to garner elsewhere. I bought it on Amazon Prime and it’s also rentable there. I did not find a place to stream it for free.

Can a 1992 hacker movie stand the test of time?

With Sneakers, I’m going to say Yes.

To stream Sneakers online, check out justwatch.com.