I loved this when it was released and I still love it today. This is an intelligently witty and wacky romp in The Twilight Zone. Every style of comedy is catered for from wordplay to slapstick; satire to sarcasm.The main storyline is that aliens exist and we have been talking to them for awhile. They are willing to save our planet from certain destruction or we can have a big gun! So, of course, our hero's CIA Agent Nick Pirandello, played super-coolly by James Belushi, and everyday-Joe Bob Wilson, played brilliantly by John Ritter, who's a look-a-like for a dead agent, set off across America to make the deal. All the ET's want in return is a glass of water.Along the way, Nick and Bob have to deal with quite a few obstacles, such as the Russians and the CIA Clown Squad. It also turns out to be a spiritual trip for the pair as Nick gets in touch with his feminine side while Bob builds his self-confidence and becomes a stronger person.Even though the Dream Quest Images carried out the special effects the only really good effect is the space pen. Which isn't actually a hindrance as it's the comedy that makes this film. One scene that's stayed with me is the cigarette after sex sketch where Nick and the Russian Agent come out of the back room smoking.Nick says, "I'm really trying to give up smoking... I only smoke after sex" Bob, "That's not too bad." Nick, "Well... I'm down to twenty a day!"Also, the scene where Bob meets Nick's family had me rolling around in bouts of laughter.I would recommend this to lovers of comedy. This is one of my favourite films and I will be watching it a lot more in the future as it always brings a smile to my face and a laugh to my voice.

You had to have been alive in the 1980's to fully understand the tensions that existed between the Soviet Union and the US. Everyone thought that war would break out, and the future looked grim.Many movies dealt with this topic, and so did Real Men, only they poked fun at everything, and satirized cold war feelings.The plot is a little over the top, but interesting. Aliens want a glass of water, and in exchange, we will get something that will save the world, or get a big gun that will totally destroy the world. Why aliens who are peaceful would even posses such a weapon, we'll just ignore that.The film starts off with Agent Pillbox (Ritter) being killed during a dry run of the meeting with the aliens. There's no time to replace him, so the idea is do the next best thing, find his exact double.And with that they find Bob Wilson, a bland, unimportant man with no spine, and no clue. It's up to super agent Nick Pirandello to take Wilson under his wing, and a super agent out of him.Part cop buddy movie, part road trip, Real Men does strain the suspension of disbelief, but still manages to be very entertaining. One of the classic scenes in the film involves Ritter being seduced by a woman who turns out to be Pirandello's post sex change father! Despite the crazy plot, and some sophomoric humor, the film is still entertaining, a time passer, and a nice guilty little pleasure. Give it a view, you won't be disappointed.

James Belushi plays a tough CIA agent saddled with John Ritter who bears a striking resemblance to one of his fellow agents who was killed before he could give a glass of water to the aliens so that they would give us the special package to stop the destruction of all life on earth in five years. Yeah, it's a comedy. John Ritter is perfect as the fool, nobody does it better. The bit where he thinks pointing at the bad guys while saying bang is killing them is a good example. The problem is the direction, the pacing is way off. There is too much time between punchline and payoff. It leaves the audience too much time to notice the absurdity of the plot, which wouldn't matter if the plot zipped by. Reality doesn't matter as much in comedy. This is fun to watch every once and awhile, but it's no Airplane! or Young Frankenstein.Nick * "You have a good sense of humor. I like that in a guy." * Bob "What do you like in a girl?" * Nick "Big tits."

I first saw this film whilst visiting the States at the age of 15. Unfortunately I missed the start (which meant I didn't know the name of the film and was kinda important plot wise) but I still really enjoyed it. Years later I stumbled across it being shown on ITV here and thus discovered the films name. I caught it from the start, and being that little bit older, enjoyed it even more.Belushi's character is superb and he delivers his lines with perfect timing, "I only smoke after sex" "oh not that much then"...."about a pack a day." Not wanting to make a big thing out of this, I can only recommend if you haven't seen it to give it a try - you'll be using the quotes for years to come.Enjoy.