I first saw Real Genius years ago, probably not that long after it was first made.  If I remember right, I saw it on a movie channel at a relative's house.  I hadn't heard of the movie before then, but I really enjoyed it and have watched it again over the years when I've found it on.  I recently spotted the DVD for only $5 and picked it up.

College professor Jerry Hathaway has been contracted by the CIA to develop a special laser that will be used in space as a weapon.  Hathaway teaches at Pacific Tech where all the students are considered geniuses and his students have actually been doing the work to develop the laser without knowing the ultimate plans for it.  The CIA wants the laser to be more powerful and since the team has been having trouble reaching the new goal, Hathaway decides to recruit Mitch Taylor, a fifteen year old science genius.

Mitch ends up sharing a dorm with Chris Knight, a student who started off focused on his school work before becoming a slacker.  Chris is supposed to be working on the laser project, but he spends more of his time goofing off and trying to get Mitch to lighten up.  Hathaway puts Mitch in charge, which upsets Kent, the student who had been in charge and Hathaway's assistant.  Kent tries to cause Mitch some trouble and embarrassment.  Mitch starts to settle in and even sort of gets a girlfriend in Jordan.  He and Chris figure out what Hathaway has planned for the laser and start planning to stop him.

The plot for Real Genius isn't really complex, but I don't think it is simple either.  Several things are going, and the things with the laser are a bit more complicated.  Most of the movie is somehow focused on the laser project and a lot of things tied to it are shown.  The whole reason that Mitch is even accepted at the school is because Hathaway needs him for the laser project, so that drives basically everything that happens.  Some of the work on the project is shown during a montage, which quickly illustrates all the work being put into the project.  Some of what happens in regard to the laser project does seem a bit far fetched, but it works to make an entertaining movie.  A few things that happen are predictable, but there are also a few surprises.

Most of Real Genius takes place at the college.  All of the students are supposed to be geniuses in science.  All of them are shown studying at different times, some more than others.  The fact that they are under incredible stress is also touched at and one student is even shown seeming to have a bit of a breakdown.  A lot of scientific stuff comes out during the movie.  I have no clue how accurate it is, though it does sound believable for the most part.  Even when the students do things to have fun, science is usually involved, like when they turn the dorm into a skating rink.  

I think there is a decent amount of humor in Real Genius that helps to make the movie more fun.  A lot of the humor comes from some of the things that Chris does while goofing off.  He walks around wearing animal slippers and saying silly things.  That sort of humor won't appeal to everyone, but I think it works for the movie.  Chris and Mitch do play a joke or two on Kent that are funny, especially the one involving is car.  Lazlo, an eccentric genius who comes and goes through Chris's closet also adds some humor to what is going on.  A few things done for humor are a little suggestive without really being offensive.  There really isn't gross humor in the movie, though other people might feel differently about a couple of things.  One or two scenes are slightly serious, but the movie is more funny and light hearted overall.

Chris is a very smart young man who has turned into a slacker after years of just being focused on school work.  He realizes that people need fun in their life to avoid breakdowns, though he may go a bit overboard in the other direction.  He does make a few questionable decisions at times, but he is nice overall.  This is only Val Kilmer's second movie and I think he does a good job with the part.

Mitch is a young science genius who is accepted to Pacific Tech in the middle of the school year.  He has done research with lasers, which is why he is recruited to the school.  Mitch is very focused on his schoolwork and doing good work for the project though he still has some trouble fitting in for a while.  Mitch is a nice, likable character.  Gabe Jarret handles the part well.  Mitch's parents are only a short scene early in the movie when Mitch learns that he has been accepted in the school.  That short scene is enough to show that neither of them are as smart as their son.

Lazlo is a genius who had a breakdown after learning what his work was really being used for.  He has been living in the school, entering and leaving through Chris's closet.  Lazlo just sort of turns up for a while before he finally talks to Mitch and Chris.  He is an interesting character.  Jonathan Gries is fine in the part.  Jordan is a female student at the college who doesn't sleep.  She tends to act a bit hyper.  She seems nice enough and she ends up helping Mitch and Chris and basically becomes Mitch's girlfriend.  Michelle Meyrink is fine in the part.  

Jerry Hathaway has been a professor at Pacific Tech for a while and he also hosts a local science related television show.  He is in charge of the students working on the laser project.  Hathaway has been contracting for the CIA to create a laser to be used as a weapon without letting the students know what he is up to.  Hathaway is rather arrogant and willing to do anything to get what he wants, including threatening students.  He is not a nice guy and makes a good villain for the movie.  William Atherton is really good in the part.  

Kent is another student who is an assistant to Hathaway.  Kent is a huge jerk most of the time, and has delusions about the exact nature of his position.  Robert Prescott does a good job with the part.  Several other students are shown throughout the movie without any of them add that much to what is going on.  

Main Cast
    
William Atherton - Professor Jerry Hathaway
Jonathan Gries - Lazlo   
Gabe Jarret - Mitch
Val Kilmer - Chris Knight
Michelle Meyrink - Jordan
Robert Prescott - Kent

Martha Coolidge - Director

DVD Information

The DVD of Real Genius that I have has the widescreen version of the movie.  I don't know if there is a full screen version available as well or not.  There aren't any special features, which is a bit disappointing.

Real Genius is a bit silly, but it is also a fun, entertaining movie that I still enjoy watching.  The movie won't appeal to everyone, but it is worth watching. 

This review is part of CaptainD's Good Movie EpiGuide 3 Write Off.


 

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD