Real Genius
TriStar Pictures | Release Date: August 7, 1985 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Salem Alaton
Real Genius is great, the freshest, most insouciant Hollywood inspiration since Risky Business. Director Martha Coolidge was handed a fleet cast and a well- oiled screenplay and she plumb took off. The darn thing works so well it fairly sings. [12 Aug 1985]
91
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Martha Coolidge's bright, whimsical Real Genius can credit part of its substantial and richly deserved cult following to the fact that nothing has changed: Raunchy, lowbrow teen comedies are forever in vogue, and SDI is still an impossible, money-sucking political mirage. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
It's a brisk, smart satirical comedy from the writers of "Police Academy" and the director of "Valley Girl," set in a Caltech-like institution for the whiz kids of the sciences. How refreshing it is to see young people depicted as having a capacity for thought as well as emotion. Read full review
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Real Genius contains many pleasures, but one of the best is its conviction that the American campus contains life as we know it. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneGene Siskel
Real Genius is packed with characters and jokes, easily containing three times as many attempts at humor as other summer comedies this year. Frequent moviegoers will appreciate the extra effort. [9 Aug 1985, p.A]
88
The Associated PressLee Siegel
Hysterical. [26 Aug 1985]
80
Washington PostPaul Attanasio
Fabulously acted and written with zing and zong, it's one of the few enjoyable movies of the summer. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
What lifts the production above the run-of-the-mill is swift direction by Martha Coolidge, who has a firm grasp over the manic material. Read full review
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