Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Manhattan Project’

Written by Scott Edwards

I believe that children are our future. I know that seems like a pretty tacky line, and yes I know it is from a song, but it is the truth. What happens when we all get older and do not get to be in charge anymore? The children take over and start trying to correct the mistakes that we have made during our reign. Well, hopefully they will let us still live on this planet, unless of course they are able to find a better place amongst the stars for us to live out our latter years.

Paul Stephens is just a normal genius high school kid that does not have a father in the picture anymore.  Taking care of his mother and keeping her in line, Paul is happy with how his life is working out. Being able to find an answer to most questions that take adults a long time to figure out, Paul is just looking for the next big thing to do to make a name for himself. Being known as the smartest class clown his teachers have seen, they hope that Paul can focus his talents on something bigger that could at least keep him out of trouble.

Dr. John Mathewson has just moved into town and is looking for a place to live. Having just written his own ticket from the Department of Energy, Mathewson is thinking very highly of himself and trying to make a name for himself as well, but with Paul’s mother. Trying to con a date out of Elizabeth, Paul’s mother, Mathewson bribes Paul with a tour of his lab and shows off the biggest lasers in the country to the aspiring youth. Paul loves the show that is put on before him but believes that the laboratory is up to something other than doing fancy laser shows and is in fact making weapons in secret.  

---

As Paul’s mother and Mathewson get to know each other better, Paul decides to break into the lab and take a green substance that is under lockdown and do his own experiments with it. Knowing that it is plutonium, Paul comes up with the great idea that instead of proving what the lab is really up to, he will be the first nonaffiliated person to build and possess an atomic bomb. With help from his new sweetheart Jenny, Paul acquires his substance and builds an atomic bomb. Wanting to win at the upcoming science fair, Paul keeps the bomb hidden, but when the government catches wind of the project, they jump into action, putting the youth on the run.  

The Manhattan Project follows young Paul Stephens as he is striving for the affection of his new high school sweetheart Jenny, and to become the youngest person in history to build an atomic bomb. Under his mother's and Dr. Mathewson’s noses, Paul breaks into the laboratory and steals plutonium and researches bomb making. Coming up with his perfect design, Paul wants to keep it under wraps until the science fair takes place so he can win first prize and give his girlfriend Jenny the inside scoop as she is trying to become a reporter. As the government finds out about Paul’s plan, they have to find the boy and the bomb before any other country finds out about this threat and takes action on the United States. 

This movie is just a look of what could and possibly would happen if a genius child puts together an atomic bomb in our society. Although this movie was made during the Cold War and tensions were always on edge between the U.S. and Russia, it is kind of scary that the government could still make someone disappear. This is a classic eighties movie that brings just enough levity into play since the end of the world is heavily contemplated in the story. And as only an eighties movie could do, there is such a happy song playing as Paul is working on and completing his bomb. Happy Viewing.

---