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Real Genius

Play trailer 1:58 Poster for Real Genius PG Released Aug 7, 1985 1h 46m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.
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Real Genius

Real Genius

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Critics Consensus

It follows college tropes, but Real Genius has an optimistic streak that puts you on Val Kilmer's side all the way.

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Critics Reviews

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Paul Attanasio Washington Post Coolidge has gotten onto something here, and the pity is that the story she's stuck with never gets her any deeper into it. Jan 3, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader The humor is relentlessly cruel, smug, and disconnected from any sense of how human beings might behave in similar situations. May 30, 2007 Full Review Variety What lifts the production above the run-of-the-mill is swift direction by Martha Coolidge, who has a firm grasp over the manic material. May 30, 2007 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault The mid-’80s were big on teen-oriented sci-coms (scientific comedies), so you may have overlooked this gem with a great early performance by Val Kilmer. Rated: A Dec 2, 2022 Full Review Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Not only does the film hold up fairly well, but the deeper aspects of the narrative become more obvious some 37 years since its release. Sep 13, 2022 Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Let’s face it, how can you go wrong with “Smart people on ice!” ? Rated: 4/5 Sep 13, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Nevin C Possibly the most underrated 80’s teen movie. Actually, it definitely is. 5 stars. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review Margaret C Not the kids playing in freshly popped corn. You know it's got to be burning hot. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review Horror fan 4 Val Kilmer is hilarious and the comedy delivers many laughs. The characters and music are great. This is a classic 80's Movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Jay H I wish Val Kilmer had done more comedies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/20/24 Full Review S B Better than expected. Worth a watch if you enjoy Kilmer, Meyrink or 80's college comedy movies. Unexpected decent soundtrack also. Which is a bonus. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/24 Full Review Jim S Almost perfect movie, a rare non-exploitative 80s comedy, with a pitch perfect cast , including an all-in performance by William Atherton, and Val Kilmer in Amadeus-like abandon. Gets better with each watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Real Genius

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Cast & Crew

Real Genius

Real Genius: Official Clip - A Moral Imperative Real Genius: Official Clip - A Moral Imperative 2:07 Real Genius: Official Clip - Stop Playing With Yourself Real Genius: Official Clip - Stop Playing With Yourself 2:09 Real Genius: Official Clip - Jordan Never Sleeps Real Genius: Official Clip - Jordan Never Sleeps 1:51 Real Genius: Official Clip - File Under "H" for "Toy" Real Genius: Official Clip - File Under "H" for "Toy" 2:11 Real Genius: Official Clip - Lazlo's Lair Real Genius: Official Clip - Lazlo's Lair 2:11 Real Genius: Official Clip - All Brain, No Penis Real Genius: Official Clip - All Brain, No Penis 2:04 Real Genius: Official Clip - Jerry's House of Popcorn Real Genius: Official Clip - Jerry's House of Popcorn 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.
Director
Martha Coolidge
Producer
Brian Grazer
Screenwriter
Neal Israel, Pat Proft, Neal Israel, Pat Proft
Production Co
Delphi III Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$130.8K
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Surround
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