The CIA hires Professor Jerry Hathaway to develop the power source for a laser powerful and precise enough to vaporize human targets from outer space. Hathaway's newly recruited genius Mitch, along with his previous prodigy, Chris, work together to develop the technology and succeed, only to later learn of Hathaway's true intention for their work. The students and their friends sabotage their own invention and teach Hathaway a lesson by having the laser to pop an enormous bag of popcorn in Jerry's house, knowing that he hates popcorn.