For the latest in “What the Heck For? News” we go to Val Kilmer, who is apparently considering doing a sequel to his breakout hit “Real Genius.” As this is one of my favorite movies — one of the top movies of all time, as measured in quotable lines — I have to admit I accepted this news with shuddering horror.
Does it need a sequel? Would it be possible to get the same feel, the same tone? Would you even want to try? Whatever else it is, “Real Genius” is unquestionably an 80’s movie right down to the cut and dried “military is evil” attitude and the moussed hair. The same (or similar) plot, in today’s atmosphere, just couldn’t be as light hearted. Why not do a sequel to “Willow” instead?
That said, I approve of Val Kilmer getting back into the laugh biz. His performance in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was fantastic and the season’s been light on good comedies lately. And there’s only so many more dead musicians still without biopics. So, hey, maybe this will be the 20-year-later movie that breaks the curse of horrible sequels.
Or it’ll end up in the bargain bin next to “Blues Brothers 2000.” Place your bets.