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Real Genius
When he gets mad, he doesn't get even… he gets creative.
When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.
- Original title
- Real Genius
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- $8,000,000
- Revenue
- $12,952,019
Filipe Manuel Neto
Mar 27, 2024 · via TMDB
**After all, it is possible to make a film for teenagers without barracks humor or sexual obsessions.** During the 80s, there was an explosion of films aimed at young audiences, and this is, perhaps, one of the most interesting, although it is as forgettable as almost all of them. Of course, it fits into the young thinking of the time: rebellion, revolt against institutions and parents, incapable of understanding their children, but it combines humor, youthful boldness and a certain education that does not give space to slang or obscene situations. After all, it is possible to make a funny youth film without barracks or sorority jokes, and without a permanent obsession about sex. The story is set in a university (or pre-university) institute, where young people with great mental capacity and ingenuity are recruited for advanced scientific projects. It turns out that one of them is, actually, a secret super weapon that the US Army plans to have, something that not even these teens know about. In the midst of that, the usual conflicts and friendly interactions between them, the rebellion of one of them towards the institution itself and its rules, clandestine parties and other jokes and mischiefs. The script is quite creative and the technical conception of the film deserves praise, thanks to the good sets, special effects, editing and cinematography. However, what supports the film is the unpretentious and witty work of Val Kilmer, who shows us that he was really talented when he didn't have movie star tics or try to be the heartthrob, as in later films. Gabriel Jarret, who I've never heard of, does a good job in the lead role. It's a shame it didn't evolve. William Atherton also manages himself well, in a character that had to be unpleasant.
Wuchak
Apr 28, 2018 · via TMDB
The Big Bang guys when they were in college (not really, but sort of) RELEASED IN 1985 and directed by Martha Coolidge, "Real Genius" is a college dramedy about a 15 year-old genius in laser technology (Gabe Jarret) who’s recruited by physics Professor Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton), who has ulterior motives for having the kid work in his personal lab. The newbie’s roommate turns out to be the most brilliant freshman in history, who’s now a senior and seemingly clouded by college-age mischief (Val Kilmer). Michelle Meyrink plays a kinetic student interested in Mitch (Jarret) while Jonathan Gries appears as a curious wraith-like individual. Robert Prescott is on hand as a brown-nosing foil. To give you an idea of the filmmaking style, the director also made 1983’s “Valley Girl.” “Real Genius” is generally on par with that more popular movie, but different due to the setting being college rather than high school, not to mention that it involves genius types. I found the witty nonchalance of Kilmer’s character to be trying after a while and there’s a pervading sense of un-reality about the proceedings with the peripheral characters unconvincingly over-the-top, like during the pool party or at the restaurant/bar. The ice playground at the frat house is another good example. Why sure! Still, there’s enough good here if you like 80’s youth dramedies. I like the way the characters are unique rather than tried-and-true stereotypes of the genre, like jock types, hot bimbos or John Belushi’s character in “Animal House” (1978). THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 48 minutes and was shot in S. Cal. (Claremont, San Diego, Los Angeles and Canyon Country). WRITERS: Neal Israel, Pat Proft and Pj Torokvei. GRADE: B-/C+
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Val Kilmer
Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret
Mitch Taylor
Michelle Meyrink
Jordan
William Atherton
Professor Hathaway
Robert Prescott
Kent
Louis Giambalvo
Major Carnagle
Jon Gries
Lazlo Hollyfeld
Ed Lauter
CIA Man Decker
Stacy Peralta
Shuttle Pilot
Daniel Ades
Laser Ray Victim
Beau Billingslea
George
Charles Parks
Larry
Sean Frye
Boy at Science Fair
JoAnn Willette
Girl at Science Fair
Joanne Baron
Mrs. Taylor
Harry Johnson
Darlington Recruiter
Patti D'Arbanville
Sherry Nugil
Monte Landis
Dr. Dodd
Sandy Martin
Mrs. Meredith
Severn Darden
Dr. Meredith
Randy Lowell
Cornell
Tommy Swerdlow
Bodie
Brett Miller
Carpet Man
Dean Devlin
Milton
Yuji Okumoto
Fenton
Lynda Wiesmeier
Chris' Girl at Party
Penny Baker
Ick's Girl at Party
Marcia Karr
Cornell's Girl at Party
Isabel Cooley
TV Stage Manager
Deborah Foreman
Susan
Michael Crabtree
Air Force Gate Guard
Peter Parros
Air Force Gate Guard
Jeanne Mori
Laser Technician
David Ursin
Engineer
Kimberly Spak
Girl in Popcorn (uncredited)
Vilmos Zsigmond
Director of Photography
Frederick Elmes
Second Unit Director of Photography
Allan Graf
Stunts
Bernie Pock
Stunts
David M. Graves
Stunts
Debby Porter
Stunts
Marian Green
Stunts
Shane Dixon
Stunts
Spiro Razatos
Stunts
Martha Coolidge
Director
Stephen McEveety
First Assistant Director
Arthur Coburn
Additional Editing
Richard Chew
Editor
Barbara Harris
ADR Voice Casting
Janet Hirshenson
Casting
Brian Grazer
Producer
Gary A. Hecker
Foley Artist
John Roesch
Foley Artist
Thomas Newman
Original Music Composer
Doug Hemphill
Sound Effects
Neal Israel
Screenplay
Pat Proft
Screenplay
Neal Israel
Story
Pat Proft
Story
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Aug 7, 1985
