Real Genius

In a clandestine operation, the CIA has enlisted the expertise of Professor Jerry Hathaway at Pacific Technical University to develop the cutting-edge power source for "Crossbow": a laser weapon capable of perpetrating covert political assassinations from outer space. Under the guise of academic research, Hathaway employs his position to assemble a team of brilliant students, with the exception of his loyal protégé Kent. He conceals the true purpose of their work, instead focusing on harnessing the innovative ideas of his latest recruit, Mitch Taylor - a teenage prodigy who has already made a name for himself in the realm of laser physics.

Mitch's exceptional abilities have earned him the lead role in the project, much to the dismay of Chris Knight, a self-proclaimed legend within the "National Physics Club" and one of Mitch's childhood idols. However, this revered figure is revealed to be more of a slacker than a diligent student, shattering Mitch's initial perception. Meanwhile, Hathaway hopes that Mitch's influence will inspire Chris to adopt a more studious attitude, allowing their combined intellects to yield a revolutionary power source.

As Mitch navigates the pressures of his new role and the complexities of his relationships with his peers, he forges an unlikely bond with Jordan Cochran - a high-energy student plagued by insomnia. As Mitch's feelings for Jordan grow, he finds himself torn between his academic responsibilities and personal aspirations.

With the deadline looming, Mitch feels the weight of expectation bearing down upon him. Chris, on the other hand, remains blissfully unaffected, preferring to indulge in his carefree nature. The tension culminates when Kent reports Mitch's invitation to a pool party to Hathaway, prompting a scathing rebuke from the professor. Crushed and feeling overwhelmed, Mitch turns to his parents for guidance, only to have Kent secretly record the conversation and broadcast it over the school's public address system, further humiliating him.

As Mitch prepares to abandon his academic pursuits, Chris shares a poignant tale about the pressures of academia, drawing parallels with the tragic story of Lazlo Hollyfeld - a former Pacific Tech student who succumbed to the stresses of his studies. Rather than suffer a similar fate, Chris has learned to find balance and appreciate life's simple pleasures. Moved by Chris's words, Mitch chooses to stay and exact revenge on Kent by dismantling his prized 1972 Citroën DS and reassembling it in their dorm room, a testament to the power of friendship and perseverance.

As tension simmers beneath the surface, Hathaway (character) unleashes his full fury upon Chris, citing unfinished work and an attitude problem as reasons for his intention to fail him in the final course necessary for graduation. Moreover, he coldly informs Chris that a prestigious job, originally promised to him, will instead be awarded to Kent, while taking steps to ensure Chris's future prospects in laser physics are all but extinguished. The once-enthusiastic Chris is now beset by despair and disillusionment, leaving Mitch to employ Chris's own reasoning to counteract his friend's growing sense of hopelessness and stay the course. United in their determination, they redouble their efforts to complete the five-megawatt laser, with Hathaway's final exam looming large on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Kent secretly sets out to sabotage their progress, deliberately destroying their latest apparatus, much to Chris's dismay. Though he is painfully aware of Kent's treachery, Chris is powerless to do anything about it, and instead must grapple with the bitter taste of injustice, which ultimately galvanizes him to devise a novel solution. The new approach proves a resounding success, earning Hathaway's praise and validation; Chris is finally given the green light to graduate, much to his relief. As he and Mitch celebrate their hard-won triumph, however, Lazlo arrives on the scene, revealing that he had been hiding out due to the devastating consequences of his earlier work being used in military applications that resulted in loss of life, casting a dark shadow over the potential uses of such a powerful laser. This revelation sparks a sense of urgency and foreboding, prompting Chris and Mitch to return to the lab only to find it empty, with all evidence of their work having been spirited away by Hathaway himself.

As Jordan (Jordan) navigates the intricacies of their new partnership with friends and fellow innovator Ick Ikagami, they masterfully deploy a covert radio transmitter within Kent's dental apparatus. Mitch seizes this opportunity, employing the device to convincingly channel Jesus in a series of prophetic messages that captivate Kent. With the test date now revealed, the group meticulously tracks Hathaway, ultimately pinpointing the location of an Air Force base where a cutting-edge B-1 Lancer bomber has been equipped with advanced technology. Chris and Mitch execute a daring heist, infiltrating the airbase to reprogram the target coordinates, redirecting them to Hathaway's residence. The boys, accompanied by Jordan and Ick, converge outside Hathaway's home to witness as two esteemed guests – a school professor and a Congressman – arrive on the scene, having been informed of the impending test. Despite being warned by the purported voice of Jesus, Kent elects to enter the premises, whereupon the laser test commences. A gargantuan bag of popcorn, an abomination detested by Hathaway, is unwittingly heated to scorching temperatures by the refracted laser beam. The resulting explosive force propels Kent out the front door, borne aloft on a tsunami of popcorn kernels. As the mayhem unfolds, Lazlo arrives in a gleaming RV – a prize won through his mathematical prowess in a blind sweepstakes contest – announcing his departure as neighborhood children frolic amidst the sea of popping corn. Hathaway subsequently arrives at the scene, bewildered by the transformed state of his once-peaceful home.