REAL GENIUS

1985 / Director. Martha Coolidge.
Review by Glenn Cochrane.

The early to mid 1980s saw an influx of nerdy science related comedies saturate the market. Technology was on the cusp of a generational boom and the world was in a state of excitement over the possibilities. Films like REVENGE OF THE NERDS, WEIRD SCIENCE and MY SCIENCE PROJECT were some of the better titles amongst a bunch of geeky exploits. Another gem was REAL GENIUS starring a very young Val Kilmer. Having come off the moderate success of the Zucker brothers classic TOP SECRET he was proving to be a new Hollywood hot-shot and his performance in REAL GENIUS remains one of the best in the whole frat-house genre. The CIA are conducting a top-secret project, which has disastrous ramifications if in the wrong hands. With the ignorant assistance of some of Pacific Tech University's brainiest students, they are developing a laser strong enough to evaporate a human from outer space. For the students it's all too easy and they spend most of their time partying and using their genius to win chicks. I have always loved the film and I recently introduced my 13 year old son to it. As the final credits rolled his response was "that-was-AWESOME!" which proves that it has stood the test of time and definitely has a longevity. What helps sell the film's credibility is the fact that director Martha Coolidge and writers Pat Proft & Neal Israel (Police Academy) went to great lengths to ensure that most of the science was accurate and that the laser technology was scientifically credible, albeit far-fetched. Add to that some fantastic poster art and we are left with a classic 80's teen comedy that sets itself above many others. It needs a blu-ray released (kind of appropriate really). 

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