One of the most gripping scenes in The Principal is when Jim Belushi's Principal saves a teacher from being raped by a student. Without hesitation he revs on his motorcycle up the steps and saves the day - the filming and editing of this scene was impressive, and props to the director Christopher Cain and editor Jack Hofstra.The Principal needs to be a TV series. Each week's episode could be self-contained, or there could be a season long story arch. The Principal can weed out the bad apples and ensure students really want to learn. The Principal can also be up against the bureaucracy and suits and superintendents, and fighting against The Man.

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.

If you enjoyed Dangerous Minds, 187, High School High, Lean on Me, or any other movie of its ilk, I highly recommend "The Principal". The aforementioned movies are pretty good, but what I enjoyed about this one is that, thanks to the talent of James Belushi, is never dull. Louis Gossett, Jr. also gives the picture some energy. Unlike most of these other movies, it doesn't necessarily take place in the classroom; it's about more than just getting these students to learn. And it doesn't sermonize. It's what this kind of movie should be: gritty and realistic.*** out of ****

High School Teacher Rick Latimer (James Belushi) is been transfer to other High School in the urban part of the city. Which he's been promoted to be The Principal, where the school has a very bad reputation. While he tries to get back his life in track, after been in a nasty divorce. He becomes friends with a tough security officer in the school (Oscar-Winner:Lou Gossett Jr.) and some of the struggling students. But he finds his biggest changeling, when the tough teenager Drug Dealer Victor Duncan (Michael Wright). Who thinks he's owns the school by corrupting the youth and senseless violence that happens during the week in school. Latimer didn't expect that Duncan would be tough, since Duncan has a tough gang and He might be a murderer as well.Directed by Christopher Cain (That Was Then... This Is Now, Pure Country, Young Guns) made a tough urban drama with fine performances by Buleshi and Gossett Jr. Which is one of Buleshi's best roles to date. This film represents fairly how is Urban High School are like during the 1980's. Which High Schools are becoming much worse now, then they were over 20 years ago. A much more controversial movie came out the early eighties that was "Class of 1984". "The Principal" didn't have a big success in theaters but it sure when to have a cult following on video. Perphas one of the flaws of this movie, it has a odd if unusual high mix of Comedy and Drama. If it stayed more to being a Drama and less humour, this movie would be have been more effective. This has good supporting performances by Rae Dawn Chong, Kelly Jo Minter, Easi Morales, Tony Winbush and Jacob Vargas. The reasonable tense finale between Latimer and Duncan are one of the best parts of the movie. Certainly worth a look. (*** ½/*****).