Real Genius (1985)

An underrated little picture, Real Genius offers a rare college comedy that doesn't rely on gross-out humor--and a look at Val Kilmer before he turned into a star. A high school whiz kid (Gabriel Jarret) arrives at a brainy college, where the crème de la crème of the science students are marshaled under an ambitious professor (expert villain William Atherton). Unbeknownst to them, the kids are working on a weapons system that the prof plans on selling to the government. The star student, and chief rabble-rouser, is played by Kilmer, in good early form as a cocky genius who hasn't lost touch with his goofy side. The director is Martha Coolidge, whose Valley Girl was one of the brightest (and most unexpected) of '80s comedies; she keeps the movie perking along and never worries about dumbing down a film that just happens to be about smart people. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Val Kilmer Party Dude

Val Kilmer is the ultimate party dude who happens to be a genius. Fun and crazy. October 6, 2008

Real Genius at a great price

I've only seen Real Genius on cable television, so it was great seeing it in its original screen aspect. The movie is fun, somewhat intelligent, & worth the time to watch. Whether you're a Val Kilmer fan & haven't seen this movie or if you just haven't watched it in a while, this DVD movie is worth the price. September 18, 2008

"Socrates said it best, I drank what?"

A lot (but not most) of my favorite movies are from the 80's. This was one of them. Val Kilmer (The Saint) plays Chris Knight, a college student at a very prestigious school in which the professor wants him to create a highly classified laser weapon (Chris doesn't know why him and his team have to create this laser; they just need to build it and see that it works) that can be used on a spaceship and can target anything on earth. Working a long side of him is Kent (Ed Begley Jr.) who also kisses Jerry's (William Atherton from Ghostbusters and the Die Hard movies) rear. Kent and Chris are also trying to get on Kerry's better side because of a sleek job. While Chris is a slacker and fools around a lot, Kent tries to solve the power problem with the laser and at the same time, as I said before, kiss Jerry's rear. Jerry recruits a smart 15 year old, Mitch (Gabe Jarrett) to work with Chris. Chris tries to get Mitch to mellow out and have a good time. Too many brain cells means no party and no "fun."

When Jerry threatens Chris to get his act together and solve the power problem, Chris as usual dooesn't take him seriously until Jerry also threatens to not allow Chris to graduate. The mad dash to create the ultimate weapon (looks a lot like the old Star Wars project from the Reagan years), to making this semester count with the usual college antics (turning the floor into a ice that turns to gas, going after beauticians, taking apart a car and reassembling it in a dorm bedroom, and inserting a listening device and microphone in the braces.

What follows up to the hijinks and laughs is when Chris, Lazlo (a middle aged student), Jordan, and Mitch find out the plans of the mad professor Dr. Hathaway (Atherton). They make a plan to try to stop the professor, leak it out to the local representatives and also end it with a laugh.

Lots of laughs and hijinks in what you would think would include nudity, but surprisingly; there is none. The picture and sound are great. There are no extras like deleted scenes, director's commentary and/or outakes. Just the usual interactive menu, theatrical coming attraction. This DVD includes both Widescreen and Fullscreen. If you like comedies, this is a great addition to your DVD library. If you like college hijinks and have Animal House and/or Revenge of the Nerds; you will like this one. The laughs are spread out and while it's not hillarious; it is a funny movie. August 7, 2008

Real Genius

I purchased this movie for my husband who absolutely LOVES this movie...We watched the movie with our 8-year-old and 4-year-old sons and they loved it too! May 21, 2008

Excellent underrated classic from the 80`s

Real Genius is one of the best and most underrated movie ever made in my opinion. It is one of those movies you never get tired of watching. The humor in it is very funny in a more intellectual manner, which is a change from the usual gross out humor in most college movies. In fact seeing the pranks in it increased my interest in science.

The standout performer in the movie without question is Val Kilmer. In the last few years, he has become known for more darker roles, but he really shows his comedic talent in Real Genius. Kilmer perfectly portrayed Chris Knight with great irrelevance and biting snarkiness. Chris is one of my favorite characters ever created. He`s one of those guys that you instantly want to become best friends with when you spend a few minutes with him. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship with him and Mitch throughout the movie.

Another aspect of Real Genius i liked was the brillant political commentary on the government and military getting or i should say hijacking a project created by young geniuses, who never meant for it to be used as a weapon, which was very subtle, but at the same time doesn`t come off as preachy. In fact it`s still pretty relevant today. After all you never know if a science project at a local college could be the next secret weapon.


So in closing Real Genius is a great underrated classic that i highly recommend to everyone. May 8, 2008

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