"Real Genius" is a simple story really. It's about a 15-year-old whiz named Mitch who goes off to this technology school, where's he's forced to fit in with all of the other brainiacs who spend most of their time simply being smart. While there, he meets up with fellow genius Chris Knight, played with full gusto by Val Kilmer. Chris and Mitch are hand-picked by their professor and head genius, Jerry Hathaway, to lead a team of students that will develop a laser. Seemingly harmless, the team later learns that Hathaway has his own agenda for the laser (actually, the military's agenda), and they attempt to spoil the plot as only really smart kids can.

Mitch and Chris' on-screen chemistry works, simply because as Chris puts it, "I was just like you." Kilmer's Chris Knight is the rebel of the group, scheming against the brown-nosing Kent and causing Hathaway's major headaches throughout the film. Kilmer's facial expressions are some of the best of the decade, and he's got some classic lines to boot. It's too bad Kilmer went on to things like "The Saint". His best work is in "Real Genius". Consider this: When Hathaway tells him he needs to be "seeing more of him at the lab," Kilmer replies, "Fine. I'll gain weight." Oh yeah, comedy baby.

So if you haven't seen "Real Genius" yet, I urge you to rent the DVD when it arrives. And make sure you're eating popcorn.

49 of 51 found the following review helpful:

college should be like this  Mar 16, 2004
By Jon Norris
Real Genius is definitely a great film. I don't know that I would say it is Kilmer's best, but it does show off his considerable comic talent, and I consider it one of his best.

It is a delightful college romp with geeks aplenty, and the humor is a lot classier than Animal House, which is another good college flick. It is full of subtle and not so subtle satire on society, such as the botched saying ("like shooting ducks in a barrel") in the slick video boardroom presentation for the weapon concept, and the remark from one general after hearing about having a working weapon system by June - "Don't ask me, I haven't had a working weapon system since Korea."

I can't add anything about the Cal Tech trivia, but it did seem to me that the limo used for the weapon test looked an awful lot like JFK's ill-fated Dallas limo. Veiled commentary about the Military-Industrial Complex?

There is, of course, lots of geek/college humor, but nothing really gross. The sexual humor and references are pretty light, well handled, and fit in with the story. The humor covers the social commentary well, and the film makes its statements without preaching. It is a film I recommend to all students entering college. It is also one of those films that I watch regularly to boost my spirits and have a good time. It reminds one not to take onself too seriously. Highly recommended.

23 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Best College Comedy EVER  Aug 16, 2002
By Duane N. Burghard
Maybe it's just that I was in college when this film came out, maybe it's that I'm a big Val Kilmer fan, but whatever the reason, Real Genius is one of the funniest films ever made. It contains what I consider to be the single funniest line ever put on film ("Was it a dream where you see yourself in sort of sun God robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you? Why am I the only person that has that dream?"). The mostly never heard from again cast (aside from Kilmer and Atherton) does a great job, and Martha Coolidge directs her best effort with a perfect contemporary soundtrack (though another reviewer is *definitely* right about the music being mixed far higher than the dialog). All of that said, it is an incredible crime against all people my age (mid to late 30s) that this DVD has **NO** features. An interview or commentary by Kilmer would be a must (not to mention director Coolidge). Kilmer told *great* stories at the time about his research for the role with the brainiacs at Pepperdine ... those should be ON THE DVD. What is it about these studio people that they don't get the whole point of the DVD medium. Putting just the film on DVD makes the studio look stupid, makes it clear they don't care about the film, and it's insulting to those of us who have been anxiously awaiting this release.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Despite all the makeup  Feb 14, 2001
By Jason Spiro
Great acting, excellent cinematography, punchy script (Pat Proft, Neal Israel, et al.). Wonderful cameo by Severn Darden. Great acting by a young cast, many of whom were only seen in movies 2-3 years before and after REAL GENIUS. Those who remained in the spotlight: Val Kilmer (of course), Jon Gries, William Atherton.

I wish they would release this with deleted scenes, montage scenes with instrumental music restored with original dialog, full aspect ratio, separate soundtrack and incidental music, on DVD. The incidental music and every pop song used in the soundtrack was perfect.

Aside from the excessive use of makeup, the occasional grammatical slip by an actor, and other minor gaffes this is a near perfect movie. There is a quality to this movie that certainly says, "80s"--the movie-in-a-movie at the beginning which used models in space, to the soundtrack, clothing, cars, thematics, etc.--but it is still enduring.

I wish Martha Coolidge would oversee the transfer of a print to DVD. She is a great director and this stellar example of her work should not go out of print!

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

The Definitive 80s College Film  Oct 19, 1999

Real Genius is one of those timeless films you simply never forget. While the 70s had "Animal House" the 80s had "Real Genius." Unlike contemporary college/high-school films, Real Genius focuses on the eccentric student/instructor personalities and satirical idiosyncracies of university life (the scene where Mitch walks into a lecture hall full of tape recorders is classic). With a perfect balance of college comedy, 80s music & style, and Reagan militarism, Real Genius hits the nail on the head as one of the ultimate college movies. I was six years old when the movie first came out and when I saw it, I wanted to get into college immediately after watching it. This movie is an absolute must see for the younger generation. It's a refreshing reminder of the kind of quality movies used to be made with.

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