The Principal (1987)

Why? Because it has all the elements that make for an excellent story. I've always liked James Belushi but hadn't figured out why until I first saw The Principal. Then it hit me while watching the first minutes of this one, he is really a good actor, with a range that is missing in many of the new generation.Rick Latimer (Belushi) is a down and out loser in the educational system, a drunk and trouble maker. He gets sent to a high school to be the Principal of an inner city crime infested multi-racial school at the bottom of the list for academic excellence. Knowing that he is at his last stop, Latimer realizes that he really does care about education and begins to clean up the school, raising eyebrows and taking names in an effort to help the students realize their own potential. With the help of a crusty school security head (Louis Gosset Jr.), and a young teacher who cares, plus a growing group of kids who see the light, Latimer takes on the resident student kingpin, a very unlikable young man who deals drugs openly and believes he is in charge. The interplay between the two factions comes to a head when the kingpin and his goons try to kill Latimer after school one day. The fight and subsequent ending is quite amazing.This movie deserves a lot better grade than has been given to it in the past...

This is a very good action film. The movie moves at a quick pace and there is a lot of action. The characters are cartoonish and stereotyped. There is the dedicated teacher, the bad kid with a heart of gold, the evil bad guy always in black,and of course James Belushi doing his best to copy his brother's John wildman acting style. However, the film is really as stupid as a movie can be. A wild,out of control teacher, involved in bar room brawls and drunken fits of anger being promoted to be a principal. Once a principal, he drops f-bombs, throws fits, knocks out students and is just an overall crazyman. But, that is Hollywood. Besides, there is a very happy ending after a High Noon type showdown in the school, and everyone lives happily ever after. Jim Belushi best role and a good way to relax and enjoy an action packed entertaining movie.

James Belushi, Louis Gossett Jr., Rae Dawn Chong and Michael Wright star in this 1987 drama. A teacher is sent to be principal of a drug-infested high school. Rick Latimer (Belushi) is a school teacher who gets himself in trouble and is asked to be principal of drug-infested high school, Brandel. He meets hall monitor, Jake Phillips (Gossett) and learns that student, Victor Duncan (Wright) is the drug-dealing king of the school. Rick tries to clean up Brandel with his rule, "No more" and gets in over his head. Chong plays Miss Orozco, a history teacher who dislikes Rick at first, but gets close to him later after he saves her from getting raped by a student. Soon, Rick is forced to fight against Victor and make him an example of his rule. I've always liked this film and think it's one of Belushi's best. I recommend this great 80's drama.

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.