a review of 天才反击

Real Genius was already on my watchlist before the sad passing of Val Kilmer past week, on April 1st, 2025. Following Val Kilmer’s death, I read that every geek should watch Real Genius, and that it is an underrated film. Having finally seen it now, to be honest, I think it is a dated, predictable, typical light-hearted 1980s goofball comedy that is too lengthy and at times boring. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like it, because I loved the mid-1980s atmosphere, wardrobes and overall sense of contemporary carefreeness oozing from Real Genius. And Val Kilmer’s charisma and disarming smile is already very magnetic, though I think his real genius became apparent when he transformed into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors biopic. Rest in peace, Val.