The Substitute

In truth, however, the entire film is too goofy and ridiculous to be taken seriously on any level.....Berenger is adequate in his role;.... ... Full Review

In fact, the movie did so surprisingly well at the box office, there was a sequel about five years later. Yet this isn't a film big on actual special effects as we've come to know them today. ... Full Review

Amid the mayhem, wit and emotion develops; "The Substitute," handsomely photographed by Bruce Surtees, actually has more on its mind than just bone-crunching. There's a sense of shrewd observation throughout "The Substitute" that makes it come alive and seem quite a few cuts above such usual genre fare. ... Full Review

He's a good "Substitute' Not that his latest, "The Substitute," is a work of greatness. Berenger's handsome enough to make you want to look at him and rough and unpolished enough to not make you nervous about it. ... Full Review

Maybe that's why ``The Substitute'' is so refreshing. The Substitute'' is a guilty pleasure, but it's not garbage. The script isn't bad, either. But this Shale character goes them one better. ... Full Review

demands Shale in one heartbreakingly poignant scene.....The clever screen writers have found a way to incorporate lots of nasty adults into the mix.....This is really a Steven Seagal movie with Tom Berenger doing his best Seagal impression (although, even at his worst, Berenger has about 300% more range than the wooden-faced action star).....Not much is done with this theme beyond the redemption of a few minor characters, which is probably a good thing.... ... Full Review

If nothing else, "The Substitute" is aptly titled. "The Substitute" is aptly titled. ... Full Review

Not only is Robert Mandel's The Substitute dumb, it reeks of racism. Tom Berenger plays a moral substitute teacher/mercenary who must teach his students the value of learning and disrupt the drug trade flowing through the school. ... Full Review

The audience reaction to this makes me think that it could be, potentially, a camp classic in bad filmmaking. I had a lot of trouble rating this one - yeah, it's a bad movie, but it was so much fun - the MST3K guys aren't even needed! ... Full Review

Although the film's regressive tone and its clumsily handled racial politics are indeed reprehensible, The Substitute is just too ridiculous to take seriously, and so the movie is not as offensive The Substitute can only hope to capitalize on the inexplicable success of last year's Dangerous Minds, despite being an even sillier white bread fantasy. ... Full Review