Customer Reviews

Real Men [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this funny-assed film, Jim Belushi and John Ritter form an unlikely partnership in this fast-paced sendup of spy thrillers that poses the question, just what makes a real man? Is it Nick Pirandello (Belushi), the best CIA agent in the world, who can handle any situation without flinching, fumbling or mussing his hair? Or Bob Wilson (Ritter) a meek ultracivilized paper pusher who avoids confrontation at all costs? With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Nick recruits Bob for a vital mission. It's no easy job because they're being chased by both the Russians and renegade CIA agents. But as they dodge bullets, outwit their pursuers, face back alley ambushes and try to keep a very important appointment with aliens, Bob gets a lot tougher. And Nick becomes a much more sensitive human being. With this kind of teamwork they might even save all of mankind. It's all in a days work for real men as you safely laugh your butt off at home- boy! Freakin funny as hell.

This is a very very funny film that has gone by almost unnoticed. The plot is simple, all life on earth will be dead in a few years if Jim Belushi cannot get John Ritter, a milquetoast, that he has it in him to save the world. Simple. Along the way you meet a rogue CIA group dressed as clowns, aliens from another world who want a glass of water and the KGB. I say this all matter of factly because that is exactly the attitude that Jim Belushi's character does. He's seen it all before and the hilarity comes when you take someone who has never had an exciting experience in this life (Ritter) and team him with someone that has had so many crazy and wild adventures that even saving the world is mundane. This is a great satire on our national security. I recommend this film to anyone who does not take everything seriously and/or wants to laugh. Some of the components are a little over the top, but that's what movies are for.
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T

Most folks missed this strange little comedy back in the 80's and it's distribution was scarce at best. After viewing it with college buddies back in the 90's I had to buy my copy at a used video store...for a buck. Ritter and Belushi are great together. Slapstick humor mixed with plain old off the wall comedic story telling makes this one of my favorite 'left of center' comedies. Neighborhood bullies, Russian spies, clown agents, pens from outer space, transexual family members, S&M mistresses, and a glass of water...add it up and you get 'Real Men'.

The DVD looks weak though. No widescreen? Just the trailer? Ok granted, a making of documentary might not be needed for this one, but at least give us a double layer disc so we can choose wide or full. I doubt there will be a special edition of this coming from MGM anytime soon, but It would be nice. I guess I should thank them for putting it out at all. However considering the cult following of this movie and our feelings on the matter, MGM should "try to be more sensative".

Ya gotta love MGM for releasing those "forgotten" films that we all grew up with like Mannequin for example. Real Men is one of those films that you probably caught yourself watching on HBO more than once back in the day. In fact, you probably don't even remember the name of the film, but remember John Ritter and Jim Belushi and the aliens and the glass of water, and of course the S&M girl. I've always loved this movie. It's one of the few I can still laugh at after all these years, and that's because it was exceptionally well written. Very witty and very funny, with two fantastic performances from it's leads. Why didn't writer/director Dennis Feldman ever go on to do anything else? Sure he was writer of the rotten sci-fi horror flick Virus with Jamie Lee Curtis, but I'm not sure he wants people to know that. If you missed this the first time around, I'd suggest renting it.

Real Men ranks as one of the most underappreciated comedies of all time. It's easy to turn up your nose at the, campy, over-the-top action and dialogue. But, unlike most films that start with a preposterous premise and follow it to a logical conclusion, Real Men sustains its humor and pace from start to finish.

Jim Belushi (the tough, callous super agent) and John Ritter (a regular family man who's "average, maybe a little less") are perfect foils even as they slowly exchange personas: Belushi finding his more sensitive side while Ritter becomes a more assertive, resourceful, take charge 'kinda guy.

Real Men shares much in common with another of the funniest films ever made: The In-Laws. It's virtually the same premise: a buddy film about a regular guy dragged kicking and screaming into the covert, wacky world of espionage.

Both films hilariously turn the ridiculous into the sublime as the viewer first sees the story from the viewpoint of the "regular joe" whose life is turned upside down while he tries to remain calm. Gradually though, you come to accept the sincereity of Belushi's character (Nick Pirandello) and suspend disbelief at the preposterous situations because they're set up so well (like Soviet agents quitting in the middle of a gunfight because they're going to lunch - no incentives like we have in the free world.)

Well written with a great, bouncy score that compliments the film perfectly.

Finally starting to be taken seriously after some second looks and a new and growing appreciative audience.

This is perhaps my favorite John Ritter movie, other than Noises Off (which is coming out on DVD in December 2003). Unfortunately, the DVD was only released in "standard format", not widescreen. I'm not sure why this is, but I'm happy to have the movie in digital format anyway.

i had almost forgot how funny real men was when i rented it , i had only seen it on tbs a few times but let me just set up this "clip" james belushi is nick, nick walks into his bosses office to give him a map he has gone great lengths to get as he holds his hand out a man standing in the corner leaps infront of him and grabs the map, and throws it out the window where another man catches it and drives off, he is escorted out of the office screaming, "We have the map, and you'll never get it back!!!" nick looks up and says "its ok, that wasnt the map", "what was it?", "it was a note telling them i know who their leaders are", "who are their leaders?", "i dont know", i just died laughing and i am dead set on purchsing this movie now, it is hard to find, no one seems to know this movie, but is it freaking great, the plot line is somewhat silly, but only in the style of the movie, not insane

This is one of those movies that geeky film critics hated and the rest of us loved! Not much of a surprise though since the funniest movies are rarely appreciated. There are so many laughs in this film that there's no way you can watch it just once. Those who say the plot is weak miss the whole point. The plot is simply this: All life on Earth will end unless these two dorks deliver a glass of water to some Aliens. How much more plot do you need? John Ritter is one of the greatest comedic actors of all time and Belushi is in top form as well. A perfect cast all around. What's really fun about this movie is how the characters change. John Ritter starts off a whimp and turns into a tough guy just as Belushi changes from tough guy into a whimp! Check out the scene with John Ritter in the park when he attacks the clown. Classic! Or how about Belushi introducing Ritter to his dad (the dad that just got a sex change!) after Ritter makes out with him on the couch. A complete scream and completely original. Wasn't this soundtrack later used in My Cousin Vinny?

Very much unknown but really a title every collector of good American comedies should own. John Ritter at his very best...

This is a very funny movie. Jim Belushi and John Ritter are great together and really play well against each other. I couldn't recommend this movie more.

You will get some belly laughs from it.