Real Men

source: Real Men

I've never understood people who can't see great comedy underneath the surface of a plot. Secret agents, spacemen, UFOs, bad clowns, all haphazardly wrapped up in a road trip/buddy movie. Sure, it's equal parts ridiculous and bizarre, but the plot feels a lot less dumb the more you pay attention to the actors and their hilarious dialog. There is a subtle and likeable brilliance to the chemistry between Jim and John here. Ritter's timing and expressions in particular are incredible and the result is one of his funniest roles ever, and it really shows his talent as an actor. Easily one of the most underrated comedies of the 80s.

I'm a very picky movie-goer. But I consider this gem one of my all-time favorite comedies, a very short list that also includes "Raising Arizona," "A Fish Called Wanda," "Groundhog Day" and anything written by Albert Brooks. Although it can't fully compete with these outstanding comedies, it actually comes pretty close. I generally reject movies with severe logic problems--even when they're comedies. And even though this picture had a big one (Jim Belushi and John Ritter spend most of the movie being chased by bad guys trying to get a map indicating where aliens will land, but when they arrive at the spot they find the bad guys already there waiting for them.) I didn't really care. Between the "clown attack," clever banter and the premise of aliens offering a formula to save the world in exchange for a glass of water, this movie delivers by continually taking the viewer in unexpected (and often ludicrous) directions. Watch it with an open mind and few expectations (as I did the first time I happened to catch it on cable late one night) and you may be pleasantly surprised.

When a CIA agent is killed, Nick Pirandello (James Belushi) is sent in to save the world. Nick is an unorthodox, uncontrollable uber-spy with a sense of humor and some panache. Friday, 20:00, Washington D.C. is the rendezvous. The fate of the world revolves around that date and place. Nick is forced to recruit a timid insurance salesman look-alike, Bob Wilson (John Ritter) and drive cross country to the destination. This is mostly a buddy picture, in which each of our protagonists learn something from the other and they bond. Nick becomes more sensitive and Bob becomes tougher. This is not a great movie, but ever since I saw this movie on HBO during the 80's, its just stayed with me. Its fun and it moves quickly. This soundtrack is also pretty good (catchy). If you like movies like Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour 1 & 2 then you'll like this movie. It has a nice mix of action and comedy. Some of my favorite scenes : Nick's Macguyver-like nail gun creation, his shoelace Tarzan impression and the bad clown attack. One of the most interesting aspects of this movie is that Ilsa, Shewolf of the SS, is Nick's dad. -Celluloid Rehab

Man, you realllllllly have to have a broad sense of humor for this one. It totally has to hit you the right way, or it could easily end up on your worst of all time list. Which is only one of two places it could end up. You either love it, or despise it, I can't imagine there being a middle ground for anyone. You could write an entire review (which I probably will) moreso on the type of humor in the film, than the actual film content itself. Well, here, I'll try anyway. Belushi is a confident, expertly trained CIA agent who knows all the right moves. Ritter is a look-a-like of a dead agent who the CIA needs to help deliver a message to aliens (see, here we go). Belushi pseudo-kidnapps Ritter to go along with the mission, which is where the laughs really began for me. Ritter's angry resistance is so hilarious and Belushi's sauveness is extremely catchy. The film then turns into a road movie with Ritter going through a transformation from the wuss to a more confidant guy. The fever pitch of the film is the much mentioned clown fight with a classic line from Belushi of "No hittin' in the n*ts, allright?", then BANG, he delivers a foot to a clowns groin. Belushi starts to go a little soft toward the end and it's up to Ritter to (you ready for another one) deliver a glass of water to an alien-human in exchange for the secret to a better earth. Now, in just those few examples you can tell if you'd be in for the whole ride or not. As it is, it's only 85 minutes and was released to (if it was lucky) a hundred theaters. I didn't even mention Belushi swinging from a balcony by his shoelace(!) or the moment he feels up his FATHER. Something must be said as well for the music, which is itself, too, funny-stupid, an oddball mix of southern violin work and Italian mob music. The tone is set early so you are at least prepared for what you're in for. An absolutely dopey, silly comedy that may just hit you the right way.

ABC Tuesday night alums (John Ritter and James Belushi) come together for this waste of film. Ritter is a super-cautious suburban husband/father who unwittingly gets involved with silly super-agent Belushi who happens to be chasing down some Russian thugs in America. Nothing makes much sense as a long week of spying goes on with Ritter becoming much tougher and Belushi becoming much more sensitive emotionally. Women into bondage and science-fiction antics turn this into a film that basically has lots of short skits that are just barely connected because of the two leads. Neither performer can do much except grin and bear the torture of being in this stinker. Avoid completely. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).

Today we lost one of Hollywood's true comedic talents in John Ritter. I write this review today in salute to him after his untimely passing. Too me Real Men is one the best worst movies ever made. I have seen it multiple times and wish it would hit dvd asap. Ritter and Belushi hit the mark in this comedy team up. While many dislike like the movie because of its whacked out plot and choppy editing, this is what endears the movie to me. The plot is so far fetched and crazy you think that Ritter's character is just being set up for something else. Is he or isn't he, as with the crazy scenarios in the film: the clown fight, the cup of water trade, the spy lunch break, the PEN, the nail gun and so much more make this a total hoot. This a true example of John Ritter at his best. Don't miss it. Bottom Line: 7/10! RIP John Ritter

So yes the whole concept of the movie is ridiculous. But that is the whole point. This movie is to make you laugh. If you take this seriously then of course you are not going to like it. If you are willing to let you surrender to the absurdity then you will find that this movie has more to offer than comedy alone. For one thing there are some very nice action sequences in this.Then there is the buddy factor.Jim Belushi and John Ritter make a great pair and are the main reason to keep you watching. Now last but not least it is Jim (James) Belushi. Somehow James Belushi always gets underrated. Sure he does a lot of comedies but those do fit more with his acting style. However he can do so much more. In Real Men he actually is quite convincing as the ultra suave super spy. He is very likable and funnily enough not that goofy as he is in his later movies.Do yourself a favor and give this a try. You won't regret it.

I must be missing something here, subliminal messages or something. From the evidence gathered here, I'm almost certain that there HAS to be another movie named "Real Men" from 1987 starring James Belushi and John Ritter that has a better script, fewer embarrassing situations and more sense. Anyway, this has got to be one of the biggest disappointments I have seen since "Batman Returns". I am a fan of both Belushi and Ritter, I even liked the trailer for this movie (where both guys just talked into the camera about their contrasting lives) and the idea of a macho CIA operative (Belushi) clashing with a milquetoast-y middle class guy (Ritter) had some promise. But every time they try to make a funny scene, there's either too much gun fire, too many explosions, too many painfully un-funny one-liners or too much S&M. And the whole clown thing was kind of a head-scratcher (Sure, you would have to be good to be able to get away with that, but why go to all that trouble?). In the end, Ritter becomes a little more assertive through his adventures and Belushi gets in touch with his more tender side (thanks to a girl who is into leather and electrical current). If I made any of this sound funny, it was a mistake. My bad, sorry. "Real Men" - real bad. Three stars. One each for Belushi and Ritter and one more for the business with the ink pen. THAT was cute.

This is quite possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. I had to sit through it while my spouse watched it, and I can honestly say I'd have rather been at the dentist's office!! Of course it's unbelievable; that's to be expected. However, the jokes all fell flatter than John Ritter's hair, and the performances were worse than Jim Belushi's clothes! Don't watch this movie. Your time would be better spent watching paint dry.