Rating: PG

Running Time: 106 minutes

Starring: Val Kilmer, Gave Jarret, Michelle Meyrink and William Atherton

Screenplay by: Neal Israel & Pat Proft and Peter Torokvei
Story by: Neal Israel & Pat Proft

Directed by: Martha Cooldie

Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star

Retail Price: $19.95

Features: Bonus Trailers

Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.33:1 Full Screen, English Dolby Surround, English Subtitles, French Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, English Closed Captions, Scene Selection (28 Scenes)

Released: June 11th, 2002

"So tell me, Mitch, are you going to miss your friends?"

"Well no, uh, I think I intimidated the kids."

"Good boy."

Mitch Taylor (Gave Jarret) is accepted into a prestigous program at Pacific Tech where he's teamed with the legendary Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a special laser. Chris, as it turns out, is also Mitch's roommate and isn't quite into the perks of his brains, but rather, having fun and being a normal sixteen year-old. As these young geniuses have loads of fun with their parties, girls and and practical jokes, they soon are out for their own revenge when it turns out the laser that has been worked on has been stolen by their mentor and professor, Hathaway (William Atherton) for military use. It's time for the geniuses to use their smarts and have fun along the way with their new vengeance project.

The 1980s was a wonderful time for movies if you ask me, and I can't resist fare like "Real Genius." I've seen the film on cable television before, and it's perfect fun, kitchsy fare from that time period. This is a light movie that doesn't set out to be deep, but just pure entertainment with some pretty solid production values. It a movie that is truly a lot of fun and often hilarious. All of it is a teeny far-fetched, but I suppose that's the point of it. It's something you would expect from Pat Proft and Neal Israel, the two behind "Police Academy" and who have worked on other entertaining films (especially Proft, who's worked with Jim Abrahams and the ZAZ team). There are some very fun lines and comedy here, and the story is also out there, but is wrapped up in some very nice elements. Despite their solid script, I suppose it offers something to take to heart among the madness: kids are kids, and not adults. No matter how gifted they are, and what work they may do that wasn't aimed for them, even if they can do it, they're only young once and should have a good time, not to mention do things their own age and the like. That is presented in a subtle but always great manner throughout the film.

The film is sharlpy directed by Martha Coolidge, who gives the movie an excellent pace that's fun and confines the story well. Thomas Newman once again delivers a fine score, but there are some rather charming and excellent perfromances. William Atherton is a joy as Professor Hathaway, while there's an easy going innocence and enthusiasm to Gabe Jarret. Still, I think Val Kilmer takes the cake as Chris. Despite how much of a genius us, he's always out looking for a good time and that means it involves girls, being a smartass, pulling pranks and acting his age. Kilmer does this all with sleek style. He plays a sixteen year-old in this movie, and then a year later in "Top Gun" he plays someone much older. A bit amazing, eh?

"Real Genius" has always been an entertaining and fun (I've used that word a ton in this review) film, and it has a time and place where it belongs: the 1980s. This film reeks with that clasic, neon and somewhat campy feeling from that era, all down to the little details, which probably makes it more enjoyable. Still, it should be a bit nostalgic for you old-timers. If you're looking for a nifty movie that you can lose your brain in, "Real Genius" is one the better ones out there.

We're treated to "Real Genius" in both anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers. I'm quite happy to see "Real Genius" in widescreen finally, all in its glorious 2.35:1 aspect ratio (thought it seems a bit wider to me). These transfers are overall pretty good. There is some edge enhancment to be found, and a lot of cropping on the full screen version. And yes, there is a lot of the halo effect and grain to be found, plus your usual nicks and pieces of dirt, as well as scratches. Still, there are good black levels, fine fleshtones and strong color saturations to bring the various colors out. Nothing perfect, but pretty good stuff overall.

We have an English Dolby Surround track that's pretty good. Dialogue is in good shape and is easy to hear, while there are some nice sound effect elements that bring punches to the track such as parties, lasers, spaceships and other scientific like action noises. The pranks also have their moments to shine. There's a lot to the track and the pay off is pretty nice, and all the sound elements come into play well and suit the film nicely. Thomas Newman's score is also very cool too. Overall, not bad and not disappointing. Also included are Spanish subtitles, English subtitles, English closed captions and French subtitles.

Too bad there's no supplements pertaining to this movie... it would have been nice to see some retrospective interviews or something about making the film. We are treated to two Bonus Trailers though, which happen to be family movies that star Robin Williams. We have "Hook" and "Jumanji," both in full frame.

A cool little flick from the 1980s, "Real Genius" has finally made its way to DVD. Sadly, there are no supplements of importance, but you get a full screen transfer and a widescreen transfer, a decent English Dolby Surround track and a modest price. Fans of the movie... be sure to pick it up.