The Substitute (1996) Review in 2025
A former Special Forces operative goes undercover as a high school teacher to take down a crime lord.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
No, due to the intense action and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching if you're a fan of action movies or Tom Berenger, but it's not particularly memorable or standout.
Spoiler Alert!
Hover to reveal spoiler summary
The movie follows Jack Collins, a former Special Forces operative who goes undercover as a high school teacher to gather evidence against a crime lord, Victor Machado, who is secretly controlling the school's administration.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and well-paced, but it's not particularly original or memorable.
acting7.00/10
The acting is good, but it's not particularly memorable or standout.
characters6.00/10
The characters are well-developed, but they're not particularly complex or relatable.
direction7.00/10
The direction is solid, but it's not particularly noteworthy or memorable.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is excellent, with great use of lighting and camera angles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has great action sequences, excellent cinematography, and a solid direction.
Cons
The story is not particularly original or memorable, the characters are not complex or relatable, and the acting is not particularly standout.
Notable Quotes
"I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to get the job done."
"You're not a substitute, you're a replacement."
