Real Genius

The CIA approaches Professor Jerry Hathaway to lead an innovative project at Pacific Technical University. This undercover mission aims to develop a revolutionary power source for the notorious Crossbow laser weapon intended for covert political assassinations from space.

Hathaway gathers a group of bright students for the project but intentionally excludes his devoted protégé, Kent. Instead, he focuses on Mitch Taylor, a teenage whiz kid with impressive skills in laser physics, marking the beginning of a competitive environment.

Mitch's exceptional talents quickly earn him the leading role in the project, much to the jealousy of Chris Knight. Chris, who once inspired Mitch as a childhood hero, reveals himself as a carefree slacker, contrasting with Mitch's driven nature.

Amidst the project’s demands, Mitch unexpectedly connects with Jordan Cochran, another student dealing with insomnia. As their relationship develops, Mitch struggles to balance his academic responsibilities with his growing feelings for Jordan.

Mitch finds himself overwhelmed by academic pressures after Hathaway reprimands him for attending a pool party. The incident takes a toll on him, particularly when Kent broadcasts a private conversation between Mitch and his parents over the school's PA system.

As Mitch contemplates quitting the project, Chris shares a heartfelt story about Lazlo Hollyfeld, a former student who succumbed to academic pressures. Inspired by Chris's experiences, Mitch realizes the importance of perseverance and decides to stay committed to the project.

Kent’s jealousy escalates as he subtly sabotages Mitch and Chris’s work, leading to feelings of frustration among the dedicated students. Despite being aware of the underhanded tactics, Chris struggles with his exclusion from the academic success he yearns for.

Through determination and innovative thinking, Chris develops a successful solution, earning Hathaway’s praise and gratitude. The recognition revitalizes Chris's spirit and reignites his ambition to graduate in laser physics.

Lazlo reappears to warn Mitch and Chris about the potentially lethal applications of their work, disclosing his own retreat from academia. The implications of their project now weigh heavily on their conscience, injecting urgency into their work.

Realizing their project has been undermined, Mitch and Chris devise a plan to outsmart Kent and Hathaway. They cleverly insert a covert radio transmitter into Kent's dental device, enabling them to broadcast false messages that captivate him.

Mitch and Chris break into an Air Force base to reprogram the laser's target coordinates. Their daring mission redirects the weapon towards Hathaway's home, demonstrating their resolve against the challenges they face.

As guests arrive for the critical laser test, chaos ensues when Kent, driven by curiosity, enters the building against their warnings. The laser inadvertently heats a bag of popcorn, leading to a spectacular explosion and an unexpected turn of events.

In a stroke of luck, Lazlo appears at the scene in a flashy RV he won in a math contest. His arrival amidst the popcorn explosion provides a moment of levity, even as the serious implications of the students' work linger in the background.

Hathaway arrives to find his home in disarray from the chaotic test and the unexpected popcorn explosion. He faces the consequences of the mission's original intentions against the reckless behavior of his students.