• Real Genius (2003)

    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
71
metacriticBased on 15 Critics

Release Date: June 15th, 2003

DVD Release Date: June 11th, 2002

PG |1 hr 46 min

Plot Summary

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.

Cast: Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, William Atherton, Michelle Meyrink, Jon Gries, Patti D'Arbanville

Director: Martha Coolidge

Genres: Comedy

Production Co: Delphi III Productions

Keywords: Offbeat, House, Rise, Underdog, Competition, Growing up, Creative, Amusing, 1980s, Friendship

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 88
    Gene SiskelChicago Tribune

    Real Genius is packed with characters and jokes, easily containing three times as many attempts at humor as other summer comedies this year. Frequent moviegoers will appreciate the extra effort. [9 Aug 1985, p.A]

  • 88
    Roger EbertChicago Sun-Times

    Real Genius contains many pleasures, but one of the best is its conviction that the American campus contains life as we know it. show more

  • 100
    The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

    Real Genius is great, the freshest, most insouciant Hollywood inspiration since Risky Business. Director Martha Coolidge was handed a fleet cast and a well- oiled screenplay and she plumb took off. The darn thing works so well it fairly sings. [12 Aug 1985]

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com