There is a definite style to the teenage comedies of the 1980's. They all followed a basic formula: Smart kids outsmart dumb adults. This isn't a new formula by any means, but it was treated with a sort of twisted innocence in the 80's. This was before the cruel humor of the early 90's (Home Alone) or the gross-out humor of the late 90's (American Pie). In a way, the successful teen comedies of the 80's are examples of pure inspiration and genius in that they rely on true comedy, rather than shocks, to get their laughs.

Of all of the great comedies of that decade, a true case could be made to place Real Genius at the top of the pile. The mark of something funny, something honestly funny, is that it has the ability to make you laugh even when you know the punchline. It's all in the delivery. By that guideline, Real Genius never misses a beat. What propels the film even further into greatness is that the characters are all portrayed as highly smart kids and the wit reflects that.

The film takes place at a west-coast university that may or may not be CalTech. The film also may or may not be inspired by actual events (some elements in the film actually did occur in some for or another -- for instance, the sweepstakes entry bit).

The plot involves a university professor, Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton), who is exploiting his students to create a powerful laser. Unbeknownst to the university or his students, Hathaway has contracted with the military to produce the laser as a weapon. With the project plagued by failures and a deadline fast approaching, Hathaway recruits young genius Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret) to help.

The problem is that Mitch is the youngest student accepted to the University and not quite ready for college life. For one thing, his roommate, legendary genius Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), is not at all what Mitch expects. Rather than dutifully attending his studies, Chris seems more intent on partying, playing practical jokes and attracting the coeds. Then there's the problem of Kent (Robert Prescott), a brown-nosing weasel intent on making Mitch's life miserable.

In the midst of dealing with the insanity produced by a bunch of adolescent geniuses, Mitch, Chris, the strange guy living in their closet (Jon Gries) and Mitch's newfound girlfriend Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) discover Hathaway's intentions for the laser and try to come up with a plan to stop him.

What makes Real Genius work is that these characters are all treated and portrayed with genuine personalities and emotions -- these are not cookie-cutter characters, but unique and lovably odd people. Even the most absurd sequences seem fitting because the characters remain authentic and believable. Neither the film nor the characters are ever an insult to the audience's intelligence and even though much of the humor is silly, never once does the film go for a cheap laugh.