Substitute 3: Winner Takes All

release year: 1999
genre: action
viewing setting: home DVD 9/26/25 and 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 eventually shifted from the steroid-fueld football players and their coach to a bunch of 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.

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 main good guy, and is both clever and tough at the same time. James Black and Claudia Christian are his friends who help out.

final word: Good action-fest.

back to the main review page