Customer Reviews

Real Genius

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Real Genius", along with Amy Heckerling's brilliant "Johnny Dangerously", is one of those comedies that never seemed to grasp the audience of other famous '80s flicks like "Caddyshack" or "Back to School". Well, now that it's on DVD, it's a perfect time to see what you've been missing.

"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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

This is one of those movies that stays fun no matter how many times you see it year after year. Val Kilmer had made a couple of movies before this one, but this was his breakout role as the genius Chris Knight - a senior in college working on a project for his professor that he is largely indifferent to completing. Along comes the underage freshman, Mitch Taylor (wonderfully played by Gabriel Jarrett), who has been recruited to help finish the project.

The movie is really about Mitch finding his way in a high-pressure college situation. He endures Kent, the jerk that tortures him and who works in the same lab. Kent is not untalented, but not a genius like Chris or Mitch and resents the favoritism genius claims. Kent tries to get attention by sucking up to Prof. Hathaway (brilliantly played in all his corruption by William Atherton), but never gets what he is seeking.

As just one minor example of the riches in this movie is the scene when Mitch is going to a packed math class. Soon people start bringing small tape recorders to class and not attending. Mitch is one of the few actually listening to the prof. Finally, Mitch is the only one in the class, even the prof becomes a reel-to-reel tape player with a sign attached that says encourages the students to listen carefully. While changes in technology would make that scene impossible today, it is still wonderfully effective.

Mitch also meets Jordan, a girl who is so hyperactive she doesn't sleep, finds time to invent things as well as resurface the floor in her dorm room. Jordan is magnificently played by Michelle Myrink and is one of those characters you wish you knew in real life as a friend. Although, frankly, Jordan would be exhausting to know. But her intelligence, innocence and kindness would more than compensate for the energy you would have to expend keeping up with her.

The movie is populated with wonderful characters of all sorts. The plot is hung on a very 80s theme, but that's OK, the final scene draws it all together in spectacular and funny way.

A classic.

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.

Prof: "Why do you wear that toy on your head?"
Chris Knight: "Because if I wear it anywhere else, it chafes. ... I didn't what to seem too stuffy. Y'know, all brains, no penis."
Man: "You are Chris Knight aren't you?"
Chris: "I hope so. I'm wearing his underwear."

'I remember the immortal words of Socrates who said, "I drank WHAT?"'

"This? This is ice. This is what happens to water when it gets too cold. This? This is Kent. This is what happens to people when they get too sexually frustrated."

There are so many really good memorable one-liners, as well as visual effects (re: bunny and crow slippers and an 'I "heart" Toxic Waste' t-shirt, etc.) in this film that it's hard to recall them all... and Val Kilmer delivers most of them himself with perfect timing. He seemed so natural that you forget he's acting... and isn't that the mark of a good actor. Unfortunately for the rest of us, and in this reviewers eyes his best role to date.

Along with another '80's "B" comedy, Running Scared (I wish that Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines had done more comedies together while Hines was still alive,) Real Genius is one of my all time favorite movies, though "Genius" has a much better ending. It's so watchable. I've seen it literally hundreds of times myself. It's an intelligently written and performed little comedy produced by Martha Coolidge, Real Genius has since become something of an icon. It contains both the subtle and the non-subtle. Though dated, the script, which is very well written, and most of the soundtrack holds up well under the test of time, I think.

Without the advent of HBO and Cinemax in the '80's that played it over and over and over, this film might have been missed by many, including this reviewer. Though expensive for a twenty year old movie, it is well worth it in my opinion. You won't be sorry unless you insist on watching mindless comedies ("Dumb and Dumber" comes to mind. The title says it all here.)
There are lots of movies that fit that description. If so, don't see Real Genius.

I hope this review helps you, and Good Luck with your own dreams.

Of all comedic movies I have ever seen, few have been as well written, well acted or as underrated as Real Genius. There are so many great lines that you could sit around and quote them back and forth, assuming you've seen it a couple times and this is the type of movie you can see over and over again. It relies on wit and on some levels, some drama. There is an underlying story in this movie about a young teen genius (Mitch) trying to fit in where you think he would fit in with no problem, a school for gifted young scientists. But due to his young age and sheltered life, he is ridiculed from the moment he steps through the door. Val Kilmer plays Chris, the star Senior student who relates to the kid because he sees Mitch as himself when he was younger. This is Val Kilmer's best role, before he became so particular about his work. His character seems to genuinely care for Mitch. It's as if he's determined to save one soul from the think tank of their head instructor who is using his students to resolve a power problem on a laser project. College pranks are still abound but the hi-jinks that go on are imginitive, as you would expect from highly intelligent students. The script is smart, funny, quick witted and clear. You will love this movie, trust me. Buy it!

The Official Movie Soundtrack Listing from the Credits:

1. All She Wants to do is Dance - Don Henley
2. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
3. I'm Falling - The Comsat Angels
4. Number One - Chas Jankel
5. One Night Love Affair - Bryan Adams
6. Pleasure Seekers - The System
7. Standing in Line - The Textones
8. Summertime Girls - Yesterday and Today (Y & T)
9. The Tuff Do What? - Tonio K.
10. The Walls Come Down - The Call
11. You're the Only Love - Paul Hyde and the Payolas
12. You Took Advantage of Me - Carmen McRae

This ST doesnt exist for sale that I know of, but you can always round up, each song individually, and put it together yourself. The most memorable of songs for me, is the last track in the movie, from the popcorn scene. track 2 on my listing 2. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears, which is on tears for fears 2nd album i believe called, <center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000JR29/qid=1128291801/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/104-4635404-6979966?v=glance&s=music">Songs From the Big Chair</a>,</center> which you can actually buy, and listen to part of right here, check it out, im getting the cd right now, it seems like it would be a good cd. ~Chad Bling Aim:Masonice2k4