classicsoncall There was a time and place for movies like this, but even during my younger years I managed to avoid pictures this pointless. The dialog is witty at times, I'll grant that, but it sort of loses it's punch the closer we get to transforming the laser project into a military weapon. Val Kilmer looks so young in this film that I had to look up his stats here on IMDb. This was in fact his very first starring movie role, but a far cry from the performance he delivered as Doc Holliday in "Tombstone". My primary reason in watching this movie was it's presence on IMDb's Top 250 list way back in it's very first year of 1996. I'm finding that the early years of IMDb were influenced pretty heavily by an audience that thought "Up in Smoke", "Dazed and Confused" and "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" were cinematic masterpieces. With a goal of watching and reviewing all of them, it's going to be a formidable task. If I catch a break, there might even be a good one in there.

gwnightscream Val Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, Jon Gries and William Atherton star in this 1985 sci-fi comedy. Kilmer (Top Gun) plays Chris, a smart college student who tries to have fun. He takes whiz kid, Mitch (Jarret) under his wing and they work together to design a laser for their professor, Hathaway (Atherton). Soon, Chris and Mitch complete their experiment and discover it's designed for the military. Since Hathaway tricked them, Chris and Mitch decide to teach him a lesson. Meyrink (Revenge of the Nerds) plays Jordan, a girl Mitch finds romance with and Gries (The Monster Squad) plays Lazlo, a computer genius who helps Chris and Mitch. I grew up watching this and always enjoyed it. Kilmer is great in it as well as Thomas Newman's score. I recommend this good 80's flick.

SnoopyStyle The CIA is developing a secret weapon called the Crossbow. Arrogant popcorn hating Dr. Hathaway (William Atherton) is making the important high energy laser for the program. He recruits high schooler Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret) into his university team. Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) is the irreverent science genius. Kent (Robert Prescott) is the brown-nosing student leader. Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) is the awkward science girl. Lazlo Hollyfeld (Jon Gries) is a mysterious guy who lives in a secret room in the closet. Chris is about to graduate but Hathaway blackmails him unless he fixes his laser.Val Kilmer is great as the irreverent genius. It's like a really smart John Belushi. I do wish that Gabriel Jarret has more charisma. Michelle Meyrink is one of the great 80s adorable geeky girls. And Robert Prescott is always good as the annoying douche. The cast led by Kilmer is just perfect and fun. This is one of the better director Martha Coolidge movie from the 80s.

iangibb2005 I remember seeing this movie many years ago and really enjoying it. So this year I watched it again and may I say, "Wow!". It was just as good as the first time I saw it many years ago. It was truly a huge blast of nostalgia. I truly did enjoy this movie, it's a reminder of how comedy should be these days. Also, Val Kilmer does a great job in this movie as " Chris Knight", definitely one of his best roles next to Iceman in "Top Gun". All in all, this is a great classic but, sadly forgotten 80s film, it's probably my favorite film of the 80s and definitely ranks in my Top 5 Favorite Films of All Time. Real Genius: 10/10