The Principal

source: The Principal

Trailer—The Principal

The Principal

A washed-up teacher is offered a principal position, but it is at the worst school in the district. Belushi confronts the school druglord and kingpin as he tries to save the few decent kids that are stuck in this environment. A bit humorous at times, but what do you expect from a James Belushi role? Louis Gossett Jr turns in a decent performance as the school security chief. Violence, language, adult subject matter

Granted, I am a James Belushi fan, and I maybe a little bias, but I honestly think that this is one of his best works yet. This is the best teacher-like movie that I have ever seen. Basically Ladimer (Belushi) was assigned to a principal job at the absolute worst school in the whole state, Brandel, and it became his job to try and change the kids from convicts to students. Ladimer, and security guard counterpart Phillips (Lou Gossett Jr.) team up to take down the drug king pin, Victor Duncan. Although it seems that pretty much everyone Ladimer tries to help, ends up the worse for wear, he is determined to make a change in the school, and make everyone understand two words..NO MORE. I highly recommend this movie if you're like for an 80s movie filled with its fair share of action, almost dark comedy, and a good drama.

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.

This is a great 80's film - James Belushi and Louis Gossett, Jr. are excellent and you're with them all the way as they're so likeable. Rick Latimer (Belushi) is great; he starts off as being a kind-of drunken, violent loser (but he's funny so we let him off) and then becomes a reluctant hero who realises why he's a teacher in the first place and makes an effort to SORT THINGS OUT. This film is full of COOL bits; every scene with Latimer on his motorcycle ("Disneyland!" or 'El Principal'), the scene where the makeshift security team crack down ("...set it off on the left, y'all, set it off on the right..."), the assembly scene ("NO MORE!")...all great. Soundtrack's also TOP (if you like 80's music..!). Recommended. "I got my a** kicked for nothin', Ricky!"

I first saw The Principal as a young boy. It made quite an impression on me, and now as an adult, I can't help but revisit it every now and then. Despite having lost some of its shock value over time, the movie has retained its suspense. The style is unmistakably Eighties (I think in an endearing way) and James Belushi's charisma and drama chops carry the story- which occasionally gets silly (also endearingly). The plot is delivered in a compelling way, and evenly divides it focus between character development and the central conflict. By today's standards, the exaggeration and melodrama would probably lead most to dismiss The Principal as stupid. Although I partially appreciate it in the way it was intended, a lot of what makes the movie entertaining is how easily it can be laughed at.

James Belushi stars as a teacher with a short fuse who gets to become the principal of the roughest high school in the city. He turns out to be just what the doctor ordered and just what the students and employees needed. "The Principal" is a very violent film that could be best described as "Lean on Me" or "Stand and Deliver" gone stark-raving mad. Belushi is solid here and so is high school security guard Louis Gossett, Jr. in a supporting role. 4 stars out of 5.

In order to like this film I think one has to like James Belushi. SInce I do, I found this film entertaining and exciting. Belushi takes a job as a principal at a tough inner city high school where he must contend with many problems there. Louis Gossett Jr. also turns in a strong performance as the custodian who befriends Belushi.