Tom Berenger) Diane Venora) When we first meet Jonathan Shale (he is just making his get away from a black ops mission that seems to pretty much have gone to shit. The politics involved with the incident lead to his group of men being scapegoated so, jobless and blacklisted, he heads back home. In Miami he surprises his girlfriend (when she comes home after a long day of teaching at Columbus High School, which seems to consist of watching kids get beat up and being threatened by Marc Anthony. After their reunion his fiance, Jane Hetzko, tells him that her drive for education has caught the unwanted attention of the local gang’s leader Juan Lacas ( Marc Anthony ). Of course Shale doesn't like what he hears and when the two are attacked during a romantic stroll, breaking Jane’s leg, Jonathan has no choice but to pose as a substitute to get to the bottom of all the troubled youth madness. After laying down some crazy-vet-uncle style knowledge on his class, the situation escalates and he decides to recruit (some) of his old crew to take down the violent gangsters. Using his gruff wits and military training he faces off against the crew of gangbangers to avenge his wife and reform the public school system.

The Principal (1987) the plot moves along at an entertaining pace, with adequate fight scenes sprinkled in to keep things going. Like the Death Wish (1974) clone minus perhaps their graphic rape scenes. While not as brutal as some proper trash it doesn't really skimp on the action and sports the semi-nihilistic tone of the best 90's genre flicks. More to its credit it has for the most part a coherent and satisfactory ending not falling into the common trappings of several others in its type. It's not going to grab you by the curlies as far as the drama goes, all imposed peril comes with a guaranteed avenging. Sure there is a vague social issue in there somewhere but it's violent no brain fun. While it's no(1987) the plot moves along at an entertaining pace, with adequate fight scenes sprinkled in to keep things going. Like the Belushi film it devolves into an Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) type situation using the school as the confined space and battlegrounds. Although the story has been done(possibly better) a few times over, the movie makes it through the 90's action cinema checklist in a enjoyable enough way. As long as you do not put too much importance on logic it's well worth its time limit using its actors well enough for the most part. It had a theatrical release in its day, but can feel a lot like a Straight To VHS Revenge or(1974) clone minus perhaps their graphic rape scenes. While not as brutal as some proper trash it doesn't really skimp on the action and sports the semi-nihilistic tone of the best 90's genre flicks. More to its credit it has for the most part a coherent and satisfactory ending not falling into the common trappings of several others in its type. It's not going to grab you by the curlies as far as the drama goes, all imposed peril comes with a guaranteed avenging. Sure there is a vague social issue in there somewhere but it's violent no brain fun.

Our main character is Tom Berenger who has no trouble in the lovable badass role. Admittedly it's my favorite role of his and he seems to work well in a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. His fiancee is played by Diane Venora , who does well enough but seems like she could kick more ass than the script allowed. Luis Guzmán pops in for comedy and William Forsythe shows up to show us how friendship works in disbanded blacks ops groups. The school principal is played by my favorite Ghostbuster, Winston Zeddmore . I'm always glad when he shows up in shit.



1h 54min | 1996

Director: Robert Mandel



Writers: Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli, Alan Ormsby



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On Amazon While hardly scholastic The Substitute is a lot of cornball fun and reminds me of the good times spent in front of a television during TNT’s action marathons. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in active pacing and fun characters. I can't really speak for much lower quality TV sequels movie that replaced Tom Berenger with Treat Williams , but excuse me while I go watch them all.Director: Robert MandelWriters: Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli, Alan OrmsbyLinks: