Real Genius

When a movie sticks with me for almost 25 years, I have to know it's a good movie. I think of Real Genius periodically from time to time whether I'm thinking about really smart people, nerds, or even Jiffy Pop.

This school is for the kids that are too smart to stay in their own public school system and get shipped out looking for a challenge, as if you don't keep them challenged, they're only going to use that intelligence to wreak havoc somewhere. Not that they don't wreak havoc here, as Val Kilmer's character as the un-crowned king of the nerds seems to be on a constant search for it. The female genius in the movie stays awake at night doing things like knitting sweaters and refinishing floors, and being that I got to bed around 4 AM every morning, I have to kind of identify with that.

These kids would be happy just using their excessive brain matter to drum up trouble and do their giant loads of homework every day, but their brains are also being used for to create a weapon of destruction, yet they aren't clued in to that by the staff at the school. Oddly, the person that seems to know everything that goes in in the school is the guy that lives in the closet and has for several years.

For me, it's another fun 80s movie, full of precocious teenagers and adults that should know better, but don't. It was a winning formula back then that in many ways, still works.

Holy crap! I am so glad someone else reviewed this, because it reminded me of how very very much I love this movie. I mean, this was THE movie you always hoped was on TV somewhere when you were home sick from school, so you wouldn't be stuck watching daytime soaps...and really anytime you flick on the TV.
The basic nerd movie plot: nerds are put to use to create a deadly weapon for world leaders without realizing what they're doing. Of course, you have to throw in the guy in the closet, a crazy romance involving knitted sweaters at all hours of the morning, ice skating in the hall and a house full of popcorn.
And what would the movie be without Val Kilmer in his best role EVER????
Love this movie. An absolute 80s classic. I think it's definitely time to finally get around to buying it.

One of my favorite movies of all time! It's more of an indulgence than anything, I think, but I've seen this movie well over 50 times. Bought it on DVD twice because I lost for a short time.

I first watched this when I was young and impressionable, and dreams were obviously attainable, if you worked at it even a little. Of course, life's path is more like a rocky canyon than a freeway. The movie still gives me that same awe inspired, anything is possible feeling though. As a movie snob, it has a lot of flaws, but it was made in the 80's. If a movie should get slack for anything, the 80's is a good enough reason.

If you are a geek, this is a must see. For me, it holds more credence than Revenge of the Nerds. It has lasers, college pranks, a strange guy that lives in a closet, and tons of the best humor Val Kilmer has ever pulled off this side of Top Secret!.

I think you'll enjoy the sharp wit, the science, and the underdog story in this.