Substitute 3: Winner Takes All


release year: 1999
genre: action
viewing setting: home DVD, 5/19/13 and 6/4/06

synopsis: Fulfilling his friend's dying wish, a mercenary finds the guy's daughter, just in time to help her fight off steroid-crazy college football players and the people behind their drug ring.

impressions: It was by-the-numbers action, and really looked pretty slick. Treat Williams had more helpers this time: a chunky slob who's also a surveillance master, a sword-wielding guy, and a tough woman. The focus of the good guys' efforts quickly changed from the steroid hulks to the coach and some mobsters, but that's the way it goes sometimes. The obligatory fun classroom scene was at 31:00 when Treat Williams totally kicks the ass of a big football player with 'roid rage.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A death by eyeglass-lens.

trivia: This movie was shot in 16 days.

asses kicked by Treat Williams: 9 (plus 4 by others, plus 2 people tased, plus 1 arm cut off, plus 1 sword impalement, plus 1 crushed by car)

body count: 24, all told

acting: Treat Williams is the head good guy; Claudia Christian and some buff guy are the helpers. This was your basic movie with competent roles from both the good and bad guys.

final word: Good action-fest.

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