This is probably the best of the three big "science" films that hit the theatres in the summer of 1985. Well shot, lots of production values, and just fairly epic in scope compared to the other two films ("My Science Project" and "Weird Science"). The film focuses on a real dilemma some students who major in the hard sciences find themselves before or during graduation. If their genius is recognized, then they might be hired or otherwise lured to work on research that may have consequences. There's wit, there's romance, there's intrigue, there's a kind of "legendary" status injected into the film in the form of a character who reminds me of many a former student burnout that hangs around the outskirts of the UC Berkeley campus. I remember the making of documentary for this movie, and being curious about all of the strange stuff they were doing to get the film accomplished. It made me want to see it, and when I did I was genuinely entertained. A recap, "My Science Project" was an adventure film. "Weird Science" was a comedy for teenage boys. "Real Genius" was truly a film about university science students with a moral and genuine humor. And I guess that's why I tend to remember this film over the other two. There were one or two other minor players in the student genre that year, but again this film had them beat.Well shot, well acted, good production values, if you need a nostalgia blast in the science student genre, give "Real Genius" a try.Enjoy.

The CIA is developing a secret weapon called the Crossbow. Arrogant popcorn hating Dr. Hathaway (William Atherton) is making the important high energy laser for the program. He recruits high schooler Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret) into his university team. Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) is the irreverent science genius. Kent (Robert Prescott) is the brown-nosing student leader. Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) is the awkward science girl. Lazlo Hollyfeld (Jon Gries) is a mysterious guy who lives in a secret room in the closet. Chris is about to graduate but Hathaway blackmails him unless he fixes his laser.Val Kilmer is great as the irreverent genius. It's like a really smart John Belushi. I do wish that Gabriel Jarret has more charisma. Michelle Meyrink is one of the great 80s adorable geeky girls. And Robert Prescott is always good as the annoying douche. The cast led by Kilmer is just perfect and fun. This is one of the better director Martha Coolidge movie from the 80s.

I remember seeing this movie many years ago and really enjoying it. So this year I watched it again and may I say, "Wow!". It was just as good as the first time I saw it many years ago. It was truly a huge blast of nostalgia. I truly did enjoy this movie, it's a reminder of how comedy should be these days. Also, Val Kilmer does a great job in this movie as " Chris Knight", definitely one of his best roles next to Iceman in "Top Gun". All in all, this is a great classic but, sadly forgotten 80s film, it's probably my favorite film of the 80s and definitely ranks in my Top 5 Favorite Films of All Time. Real Genius: 10/10

While there were a lot of popular teen comedies from the 80's only a few really standout in retrospect, this film along with most of John Hughes work is amongst them.The story follows teenage prodigy Mitch who is recruited by the fictitious Pacific Tech University so that he might join other top young scientific minds bent on developing a powerful laser ostensibly to advance science but in reality to provide the military with a weapon for their arsenal.Mitch is played by Gabriel Jarret who is adequate in the role, while the supporting cast includes William Atherton (Die Hard, Ghostbusters) as the professor in charge and Michele Meyrink playing the hyperactive Jordan who becomes Mitch's love interest, Meyrink is very effective in her role but didn't have much of a career subsequently. The big star of the film though is Val Kilmer who plays Chris Knight who mentors the uptight Mitch both academically and socially.The films director is Martha Coolidge who seems to have had less success than her talent might have justified.The film offers an interesting portrayal of college campus life in the 1980's (at least) which seems for the most part far more accurate than other depictions. The film also covers the fairly common 1980's theme of a government conspiracy.In closing the film features a great choice of closing title music, at least for the 1980's with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears.