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One of my favorites

This is one of my all time favorite movies! Ranks up there with Weird Science and From the Hip.

Great Comedy

A very underrated film. Val Kilmer's performance was fantastic. His sarcasm rivaled that of Fletch, and in some ways surpassed it. Great casting and story line about a group of college kids whose project(s) are being manipulated by their professor into items of war.
This movie has everything from laser-guided weapons to a guy living in a closet. Complete with unlimited sarcasm. Highly recommend, even for an 80's movie.

Great comedy and character

This movie is a continuous laugh, but you need only mention one thing when reminding people which one it is "POP CORN". It brings growing up, university, intellect and war conscience all into one halarious story. Put that story with great acting, soundtrack and cinematography and you get a well rounded film. We will be collecting this DVD very soon (PAL version), and HOPE that it has specials on it. If you haven't seen it yet SEE IT!

You must buy this film - it's a moral imperative

"Real Genius" is a story about Mitch Taylor (Played wonderfully by Gabe Jarret), a 15 year old genius who is accepted to Pacific Tech (Cal tech) for the winter term, the only student ever admitted for the winter term, whose Laser ideas on fluorescent compounds are the most original Professor Jerry Hathaway (played wonderfully smug by William Atherton) has ever seen. All Mitch really wants, other than to do his work is to be accepted by his peers. He meets Chris Knight (Val Kilmer at his best) a genius like Mitch who becomes his friend and mentor, and a love interest, Jordan Cochran (played exquisitely by Michelle Meyrink) who shows Mitch how to love and strip hardwood floors; it's a shame you never really see girl characters like Jordan in films ("I think most guys are intimidated by me. I'm Brilliant, I'm eighteen, I'm hyperkinetic, and possibly if I stopped to think about it I might be upset").


However, there are also the cautionary characters that Mitch meets (the, "don't let this happen to you people"): Professor Hathaway, the pompous `Carl Sagan' like professor exploiting his student genius' for his own benefit ("You took Advantage of me"). Lazlo Hollyfeld (played incredibly by Jon Gries), the genius from the 70's ("smarter than you and me put together") who lives in the steam tunnels. And lastly Kent Torokvei (Played to a perfect obnoxiousness by Robert Prescott), the brown noser, suck-up, teacher's pet, that no one likes cause he is just so annoying and will stab you in the back if given the chance. These are the obstacles and lessons Mitch must over come if he wants to make it at Pacific Tech.... and in life.



"Citizen Kane" is the film that I tell everyone is my favorite (Or "Woman of the Dunes" if I feel like being esoteric), but secretly, it is "Real Genius". Hands down one of the best comedies with the best lines, I actually like watching this movie with closed-captioning on, there are some lines you don't hear but show up on the closed captioning. Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but this film has been incredibly influential to me and my life -- strange, huh? But with characters like Chris Knight ("he's a Legend in the National Physics Club"), Mitch Taylor ("You know they stuffed me in a mail box in high school, did I tell you that?"), Lazlo ("You want to borrow my Pajamas?"), Ick ("Now if we can only keep it from exploding"), Jordan ("Do you have a bed, cause if you didn't I was going to make you one"), Kent ("I'm not insane... or am I?"), and Professor Hathaway ("Hi, I'm Jerry Hathaway with 'Everything'"); it's almost like some bizarre Beckett play that seems just funny on top but is tremendously meaningful and profoundly insightful underneath. I'd recommend this film to everyone: family members, friends, in-laws, out-laws, and random strangers on the street.


Don't blame me if I sound crazy (blame the voices in my head) but this film is strangely addicting. It's a good day when this movie is on, and recently, it has been on at least 10 times a month; which I try to watch all 10 times. I know what you are thinking, but don't judge me until you've watched this film (or, hopefully, bought it); with all its' great lines, characters, settings and pathos.


The Greatest Quotes:


Jordan: I never sleep, I don't know why. I had a roommate and I drove her nuts, I mean really nuts, they had to take her away in an ambulance and everything. But she's okay now, but she had to transfer to an easier school, but I don't know if that had anything to do with being my fault. But listen, if you ever need to talk or you need help studying just let me know, 'cause I'm just a couple doors down from you guys and I never sleep, okay?




Chris Knight: If you think that by threatening me you can get me to do what you want... Well, that's where you're right. But - and I am only saying this because I care - there's a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing.




Kent: You're all a bunch of degenerates.

Chris Knight: Oh, really? Well, what about that time I found you naked with that bowl of Jell-O?

Kent: You did not.

Chris Knight: This is true.

Kent: Yeah, well I was hot and I was hungry.



And drum roll Please, the Best quote is:



Mitch: The weirdest thing just happened to me.

Chris Knight: Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

Mitch: No...

Chris Knight: Why, am I the only one who has that dream?


Well, now I have that dream too -- and I like it!

Maybe you will too?

Real Genius- The best movie ever made!

Real Genius is without a doubt the best movie ever made. Its comedic humor mixed with excellent plot personifies it as a movie that will stand the test of time.

PLEASE PUT IT ON DVD![....]

Captures The Essence of College Life

"Real Genius" is a gem among 80s movies and college films. Filled with all the music, intrigue, and uniqueness of the 80s, "Real Genius" is a great 'remember when' film to watch for those of us who grew up in that crazy decade. Beyond that, "Real Genius" is a great portrayal of college life. Take your more recent, contemporary 'school' films - practically all they revolve around is teenagers trying to have sex or going out with the most attractive/popular person in school (with the ultimate objective of having sex with them). "Real Genuis" has an original storyline that doesn't link to a quest for popularity or sex drive. Anyone who's ever gone to college will connect with this film, as it has all the earmarks of undergraduate education - from final exam panic attacks to heartless professors who assign impossible projects. All in all, this is a great film...I just wish it'd be released on DVD!

Quotables On Parade!

Oh, the 80s. This indefatigably defining 80s movie definitely deserves to be on your list of guilty pleasures. Val Kilmer plays a genuis-slacker who delights in wreaking havoc and using his brain power to concoct ways to outsmart the vending machine. He attends an MIT or CIT like school and is given a 15 year old, stiff-as-a-board super genuis as a roommate. Kilmer's character, Chris Knight, takes his new roommate, Mitch, under his wing as they create a laser for an advanced class, though the professor may have ulterior motives (William Atherton, deliciously type cast as the two dimensional sycophant).


The real genuis of this movie is its one liners:
"I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, when he said, 'I drank what?' "

"I want to see more of you around the lab." "Fine, I'll gain weight."

Give it a try when Dour documentaries and political pieces are too taxing for your brain to handle and you desire a bit of clever fluff.

The Definitive 80s College Film

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.

One of my all time favorite 80s movies

I was excited to see that his movie was finally released on DVD. Definitely an 80's classic. It was interesting to see Val Kilmer play a whimsical role (although prior to this movie he was relatively unknown) You'll laugh, you'll cry...okay, you'll mostly laugh. And okay, the plot is not that great, the special effects are virtually nonexistent, but the atmosphere of the film is one you can't help but laugh at. Who can forget Lazlo the guy in the closet, the girl that never sleeps, and one of the funniest parts, the call from "God" to Kent. Good soundtrack to this film too. A must for your 80's film collection. =)

I bought the DVD to replace the VHS version

It's a great movie. I had always hoped that it would come out on DVD to take advantage of the enhanced SOUND & VIDEO qualities of DVDs in my home theater system. Alas the DVD looks like it was copied from the VHS tape. There is NO performance increase. The only advantage is the storage space saved in my library.

Getting even

Geniuses don't have to be stuffy or boring. Val Kilmer plays a wacky cut up who still manages to be brilliant. The story wraps around a quest to build an extremely powerful and portable laser under the direction of an egomaniac. Once the laser was achieved, the brilliant minds discovered that they were duped. The only thing left to do was get even. It was a moral imperative.

quirky, funny movie about smart kids

This is a "teen movie" in that it follows the formula fairly closely, but the details are delightfully different. For one thing, it's about smart kids that actually act like smart kids (I can't think of another such movie offhand). For another, it's populated with characters that are distinct and memorable (I'm especially fond of the hyperactive girl). And finally, try to think of another movie where a character says "radiatively coupled to the ground state" and means it...

This is a definite pick for smart teenagers, but I recommend it for adults as well.

Nerd Humor

What others say about this movie is all true. It is a clever plot with the brainy, socially inept nerds triumphing over evil in the end. But the characters are all crafted brilliantly by this very underrated cast. Kilmer is superb as the glib, irreverent leader, but the honest earnestness of Gabriel Jarret as Mitch is hard not to like. Not mentioned in the other reviews is Michelle Myerink as the hyperkinetic Jordan who drives her roommates insane and does floor sanding to combat insomnia. She is outstanding in her role here. This movie is also totally riddled with California Polytechnic in-jokes, but honestly you need a guide to spot them. Even without knowledge of those, you have to love the witty dialog and eccentric character portrayals.

Movie Great, DVD blows

The movie itself is great. Cheesy, but a true 80s classic. Unfortunately, this DVD version is horrible. If you already own the VHS, don't bother with the DVD. There is nothing extra on the DVD at all. No commentary, no notes, no trivia, no cast info, no original trailers, nothing. Totally slapped together. I'm sick of McDVDs like this. Personally, I'm waiting for the Special Edition that you *just know* they will crank out once the market is saturated with this version.

Real Genius

I am of the 60's generation, and this one just fits right in. Val Kilmer young but very likeable is great as the wise one. I have been waiting for this one to come out on DVD, I own the VHS version also. Have been a fan even with Top Secret, but this one is my favorite. The pranks they pull at colleges has not changed in years, and the reality of our government and how things are discovered are still true today. Great easy watching and love for popcorn.....

Really Genius

Real Genius was the 1st time I saw Val Kilmer. He is very funny. At a school for genius young people, you see how some of them cope with their skills. Val was once a very serious student & almost went brain dead. Now he copes by being a funny goof-off. I enjoyed the antics & behaviors that are brought out of these real genius's.

multifaceted comedic drama

A true classic this by far is a must see a accurate depiction of a 1980's film the acting done by Val Kilmer is truly remarkable his portrayal was right on target trust me you will like this film . Chris Paris Esq.

Still Great After All These Years

This movie has aged well. The plot is believable even today. It is funny everytime I watch it. I love the characters in this movie. You will see a little bit of yourself in at least a few of the characters. This is a fun movie to watch by yourself or with a group of friends.

A cult classic

The witticism come fast in furious.

I've loved this since it's first release, while I was in college. It motivated me, and gave me some one-liners that I still use.

Real Genius

Great movie I like the last few scenes with the giant pop corn popper. It is a really funny movie.