The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option
The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option
R | 24 April 2001 (USA)
The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option Trailers

A former mercenary joins a military academy as a teacher. He soon discovers a neo-Nazi group, code-named Werewolves, formed among the cadets. He also quickly finds that they have military leadership among the officers at the Academy.

Reviews
caa821

With the exception of "The Godfather," "Rocky," and "The Jolson Story," I can't think of any movies in the history of the art of film which have been worth watching with a "II" or a "2" after the title - much less the successors with even higher digits. (I'm aware "Jolson" didn't employ a number - but this principal applies to sequels without them as well.) "Godfather III," Rocky's IV and V," the "Batman" successors, sequels to earlier successes such as "Romancing the Stone" -- none lived-up to their originals, and most were basically awful,The "Subsistute" series of dramas has gone farther than it probably should have, especially reaching the "4" level, but at least the settings and scenarios have had some variance.Treat Williams is a good actor - he's portrayed both decent guys and horses' asses capably. But these flicks, when all is said and done, present the types of proceedings which Steven Seagel would deliver but for two things Williams has and he doesn't: classic good-looks, and acting ability.Of all the scenes, the most amusing and redeeming was where the military institution is having a formal ball, with one of the duded-up officers and his lady waltzing like competitors at a dance contest in Vienna -- while the sociopathic Colonel heading the facility, and his hand-picked group of cadets in his nefarious racist cadre, slink out to engage in some KKK-type hi-jinks.Just about every line of prejudiced dialog involving the evil Colonel (whose sole agenda seems to be what David Duke's would be in this position) while delivered in the most sinister and vile manner, seems more like something Belushi and his group on SNL, or the folks on MAD TV, might have dreamed-up and performed with their tongues virtually protruding from their cheeks.Still, a "campy" piece of entertainment, purely average, on an afternoon if you have nothing pressing for a couple of hours. 5* on this basis, 1 additional for Williams' presence.

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Claudio Carvalho

The military officer and former mercenary Karl Thomasson (Treat Williams) is sent in an undercover mission to a military academy by his superior and friend, Gal. Bud Teague, to investigate the performance and methods of the commandant of the base, Col. Brack (Patrick Kilpatrick). Karl is introduced as if he were a history teacher, and sooner he finds that the school has a neo-Nazi group called Werewolves under the direct command of Col. Brack. "The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option" is a totally absurd story. I have been a great fan of Treat Williams since "Hair", I try to see all his movies, but this one has some of the most unreasonable situations I have ever seen. The ridiculous beginning of the story in South America is completely out of the context. The beauty and the breasts of the always-gorgeous Angie Everhart is the best this movie can offer, but is not enough to support this forgettable flick. My vote is three.Title (Brazil): "O Substituto 4" ("The Substitute 4")

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Doc_Who

In the fourth "The Substitute" movie we find Treat Williams going undercover at miltary school for a old friend worried about his son. The story was OK, the action scene totally cheesy and the dialogue pathetic. This movie also stars Angie Everhart as love interest for Treat Williams. Too bad she could'nt say this movie for her few scenes.Also there are really bad signs saying stuff like "Another minority owned installation" and others. Like they would do that in reality? The movie is rated R for swearing, violence and some partial nudity. I hope if they make a fifth movie, it is better than this installment of the series. I often wonder who plays role of the Substitute better: Treat Williams or Tom Berenger? I wish Berenger keep the role as he was real at least. If you really want to see this movie , rent it first before you buy it!

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milau-4

The Substitute 4 is a decent addition to this series of fims. The action is realistic and story is plausible. My only problem with the movie is that the whole white supremist story line that we have seen in a lot of these films lately is really getting stale. Cant anyone in Hollywood come up with an original idea for these movies?

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