A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

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+

I love this movie! I watch it every time it's on cable. The song "Everybody wants to rule world" by Tears for Fears has become one of my all time songs.

Watching this movie always gives me fond memories of the 80s. The song that ends the movie, "Everybody Wants to Rule the Word" gives it just the right feel. I love the depiction of college life, and William Atherton's character is wonderfully smarmy. One of the things I especially like about it is that the kids in it are SMART. I never did like the kind of movie that promotes idiocy as a virtue.

I was born mid 1980's. I remember seeing this film early 90's. I loved it when I first saw it. It basically inspired me to pursue knowledge. It was after this film that I began disassembling my toys and making bigger cooler toys. It sparked my imagination. It's the film that made me pursue Physics up to now. :) It's a classic film that's underrated by most. The soundtrack is awesome. The last scene when Everybody wants to rule the world by Tears for fears starts playing is very Nostalgic. It makes me remember all my memories as a child growing up. It actually makes me wonder that in this fantasy world of Real Genius what's going to happen to these guys (C. Knight and gang). Do they start their own company? Do they get rich? Anything is possible. Sometimes I really hope they made a series out of this with the same actors because their chemistry is really awesome. It would have been more fun to see more of them working on something. :)