Memorable, crazy movie

Fantastic!

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

"The principal" is one of many movies dealing with violence in school . Other movies about this subject are "Blackboard jungle" (1955) , "Class of 1984" (1984) , "Stand and deliver" (1988) ,"Lean on me" (1989) , "Dangerous Minds" (1995) , "The Substitute" (1996) , High School High (1996) ,"187" (1997).The best way to look at this movie is to look at it as unusual western. The lines between good and evil are very clear and there are no real moral dilemmas here. Some people might criticize that this movie is sometimes over the top , especially the action scenes. However I don' t think that this movie is too far from the real life problems. The reality is a lot worse. In my country there have been accidents in last years where teachers were attacked by aggressive teenagers . The problem of bullies , school violence and street gangs existed in 1987 and is even a bigger issue now. I agree with the message of "The Principal" – some kids you can reach to , but some are just lost case. Some punks only understand violence. Some hooligans can be saved by reaching out to them, but some will only understand baseball bat. In a way you could say it's a teacher fantasy , but one that makes you feel better. I believe that a teacher in school should be untouchable and every punk who doesn't know how to behave should get a serious ass kicking.I also don't believe that the movie is racist. Yes , the main villain is black , but we have also a white creep White Zac (JJ Cohen) here and few Latino gangsters. The janitor and female teachers who help Latimer are black and don't forget that there is one black "Baby" Emile (Troy Winbush) and Latino kid Raymi Rojas (Esai Morales )who become friends with Latimer. Most of the kids in this movie isn't portrayed as bad , they just apathetic and the same goes for almost every teacher in Brandel.James Belushi ("Red heat") fits the main role of Rick Latimer incredibly well. He's totally endearing and very likable character from start to finish. It was refreshing to see a teacher who isn't so noble and more down to earth. The film gives him the chance to mix serious drama with his comedy talent. Louis Gossett Jr. ("Officer and gentleman") gives a admirable support as believable tough security guard Jake Philips. The relationship between Belushi and Gossett Jr. is fun to watch thanks to some great chemistry between them. Michael Wright ("The Wanderers") is quite convincing as the main villain Victor Duncan and Rae Dawn Chong ("Commando") is fine in her role of impassioned teacher Hilary Orozco . The students played by JJ Cohen , Troy Winbush , Esai Morales are also very OK.It feels strange to write about action scenes in a movie about inspiring teacher , but the truth is that they are done nicely and the climax of the movie is full of suspense . Director Christopher Cain ("Young guns") did a good job. The screenplay was written by Frank Deese, a real life teacher who also plays a small role in the movie. The story gives enough time for character development and material for actors to work with. Some nice and memorable one liners here "I will expel you" , "No more" , "He's the principal man". The only problem is the undeveloped role for Rae Dawn Chong and her friendship/love story with Latimer. It doesn't seem to go anywhere like the writer didn't knew what to do with her. Some cliché moments at the end of movie , but I didn't minded them. The soundtrack is nice , especially if you like 80's music . Notable songs – Strafe "Set it off" , Jay Gruska /Bruce Roberts / Andy Goldmark "Livin in the line of fire" and Rob Jungklas "Hello heaven"."The Principal" might be a B-class movie , but it's a well made B-class movie. It has some good messages and is a positive movie . It's entertaining and actually inspiring. It's a movie how few people can make a difference. It does quite good job portraying the hard work many teachers have to face every day. It's a movie about fighting apathy and doing what you think is right no matter what. It never gets preachy , it's charming and enjoyable small movie. I give it 5/10.

It was great to see Belushi in this. I have another confession. This is my favourite JB film. He has two assets, apart from some bad vices- a big motorcycle and a big baseball bat. His latest incident, that has him exploding when seeing his ex with another guy, who just happens to be a lawyer, I think, puts him on the bad end of the faculty, where he's demoted and made a principal, of one of the worst high schools, in L.A- Brandell. Don't expect this movie to be as violent as you think. One scene, where he's getting pounded on a rape scene, where Belushi to the rescue, on his big bike, in one of the best and coolest entrances, you'll ever see, is what earned the film it R certificate. To be frank, this film would have the same effect on an 18 year old, as it would a 15 year old. The film is more than a violence for violence sake of a movie. We see a man beaten by the odds, about to rebuild his life, and turn this wayward school around, if it means getting rid of the chief hood, Victor, permanently (a frightening and menacing performance by a fine black actor, Michael Wright, him and Belushi reteamed in 1994'S, Race The Sun). I can't imagine what this film would be like without Belushi, and I don't want to imagine. This is a great, popcorn, bubblegum, high school flick, with action, thrills, and a nice re paint job on Belushi's reconstructed bike, as it was dismantled, by Victor and his boys. The young latino kid, Arturo, who is beyond getting sucked into Victor's gang, lifestyle, was an impressive debut of naturalistic acting, I missed not recognizing him, as Benecio De Toro's partner in Traffic. I do admit The Principal did show room for improvement, may'be a little more ingredients, or structure, in the story, but nonetheless, we're given quite an entertaining ride with a tremendous lengthy showdown, and with Belushi at the helm, we can't go wrong.

Rick Latimer (James Belushi) is a high-school teacher with some social issues. Hard drinking and soon to be divorced, Latimer flies of the handle when he spies his ex out having a drink in a bar with another man. Up before the school board, who have tired of his combustible attitude, Latimer is informed that he has finally got the Principal position he has long since courted. Trouble is is that it is at Brandel High, a notoriously troubled school where violence and crime are part of the curriculum. Taking up an attitude of fighting fire with fire and working from his motto of "No More," Latimer hopes to bring order and respect to the school. But with only Security guard Jake Phillips (Louis Gossett Jr) as an ally and the thuggish school kingpin Victor Duncan (Michael Wright) after his blood, Latimer will do well to just survive the first week.The formula of such movies like The Principal is now seen as old hat, post the release of Christopher Cain's movie you can trace a line from Lean On Me in 1989, to The Substitute 1996 and on to One Eight Seven the following year. Prior to The Principal the topic is a bit more thin on the ground, we can probably laud the excellent Blackboard Jungle from 1955, while 1984 saw Mark L. Lester tap into the video nasty zeitgeist of the early 80s with his trashy Classs Of 1984. So plenty of film's, and similar types like Stand And Deliver, from which to choose should you require a night in with a teacher intent on straightening out those ruffians; whilst ensuring the good kids get the education they deserve. So why choose The Principal then?Well James Belushi's fans don't need much convincing here, an always likable star who knows the limits of his talents, the film gives him the chance to mix serious drama with his comedy bent. This played out with immeasurable cool too. Latimer is one bad ass teacher, he drinks hard, plays hard, whirls his baseball bat and rides a motorcycle. He's no Dolph Lungdren (Detention) or a Tom Berrenger (The Substitute), but Belushi can carry off the tough side of Latimer, whilst showing his fallibility's via little comedy moments as he wonders just what the hell he is doing here. Belushi is admirably supported by Gossett Jr, a believable tough security guard if ever there was one, while a lot of the film's strength is drawn from the developing relationship between the two men. Of the rest of the cast it's Michael Wright who stands out as head thug Victor. Already at the time of release a cult actor thanks to his turn in The Wanderers, Wright is supremely cool and terrifying into the bargain. When he shouts "I expel you," you start to pack your bags, that is unless you are Principal Latimer of course.As ever with a film of this type there are complaints that it's full of stereotypes, but were they in 1987? Director Cain is for sure not addressing the then fledgling problems of education and crime amongst African-American and Latino school kids. But he is not shying away from the issue either. That the most unsavoury point in the film sees a white youth perpetrate crime on a black teacher tends to get over looked by snarky PC critics. Make no bones about it tho, this is more macho than the rest, again this is something that has upset many a critic who prefers the "reach out to the kids" approach in something like Morgan Freeman's excellent, but tonally different, Lean On Me. Oh yes sir, this is taking a different tack, but I for one appreciate having a different angle from which to view such subject matter. Some hooligans can be saved by reaching out to them, but lets not kid ourselves that some of them don't need more than just a telling off from The Principal. Yes the film is also very 80s, none more so than with the soundtrack where we get a mix of the bad; some American Heartbeat sounding fluffer, and the great; Strafe's pulse rocking "Set It Off". Not setting out to win awards or moralise about an ongoing problem, The Principal goes for a tough and gritty approach for this semester. Amen to that sir. 8/10

"The Principal" is a good movie to watch on Sunday morning or late, late cable. We get badass characters and some kickass fighting sequences. I even wanted to behave like Rick or Jake! I also wanted to speak like in the ghetto you know. Now seriously, this is a fairly entertaining B-Flick. The plot is simple, easy to follow, and overall interesting. James Belushi is hired to straighten some lower class trash students. Most of them insult, threaten, and even kick the hell out of the principal. But he won't give up with his badass attitude. He fights against the most dangerous gang from high school and teaches them the basics to respect. James Belushi delivers a kickass performance as Rick Latimer. The man is hardcore. But Louis Gossett Jr. steals the show as the tough Jake Phillips; the janitor and overall school vigilante. I love the scene where he says that he won't fight against Victor because when that day comes, one of them will die! Rae Dawn Chong also is fine in her role and looks very sexy. I didn't like the scene where one of the gang members tries to rape her. She seemed very uncomfortable with that scene. Michael Wright is truly one creepy tough guy. He's mean, imposes fear, and kicks some serious asses.Watch "The Principal"; a quality B-movie from the 80's. It has the elements to make you enjoy it if you are into fighting sequences and badass characters.