Themes: Terrorism, Heroic Mission, Teachers and Students
Main Cast: Treat Williams, Angie Everhart, Patrick Kilpatrick
Release Year: 2000
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
An undercover commando poses as a teacher to root out the neo-Nazis at a military academy in this fourth installment of the tough-love educational/action saga. At the behest of a friend, commando Karl Thomasson (Treat Williams) heads to an Atlanta academy so he can root out the racist skinheads who are running amok. As it turns out, the little white supremacists are working at the behest of the school's uber-racist headmaster, Brack (Patrick Kilpatrick). Thomasson finds an ally, or at least a bedmate, in the person of Jenny (Angie Everhart), the school's medical officer. Meanwhile, he bullies the skinheads, rallies the other students, and uncovers a plot to blow up a minority-built nuclear power plant. Although this is the fourth episode in the series, it's only the third outing for Williams, who took over from Tom Berenger in the second installment. Director Bob Radler previously helmed The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Review
Within the silly confines of the direct-to-video action genre, this retread is fairly typical. Model/actress Angie Everhart, among others, provides the T & A, while formerly respected actor Treat Williams continues his undercover sting operation in the world of low-budget quickies by handling the ass-kicking duties for the third time in a row. The plot for this installment is actually fairly comprehensible and the military academy setting even injects a little variety into the franchise. Kitted out in fatigues, and, in some cases, swastikas and buzz cuts, the young actors (such as Scott Miles) acquit themselves with professionalism if not inspiration. Given the proportion of Hollywood action flicks that merely break even or actually lose money, it's hard to make fun of a movie like The Substitute 4, which probably earned money for its producers thanks to its microscopic budget and easy distribution via rental outlets and cable channels. This is a film that knows its audience, doesn't insult it, and delivers more credible action, a sturdier plot, and more famous bare breasts than it needs to. In short, The Substitute 4 exceeds its admittedly low expectations. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
James Tarzia - Casting, Peggy Stamper - Costume Designer, Marty Jedlicka - First Assistant Director, Robert Radler - Director, Lou Angelo - Editor, Thomas J. Busch - Executive Producer, Phillip Ivey - Hair Styles, Steve Edwards - Composer (Music Score), Teresa Foshee - Makeup, Darwin Hensley - Makeup, Teresa Foshee - Makeup Special Effects, Darwin Hensley - Makeup Special Effects, Rory Robert Knepp - Camera Operator, Michael Fedack - Camera Operator, Joseph Litsch - Production Designer, Richard Rawlings, Jr. - Cinematographer, Robert Radler - Producer, Andy Peach - Sound Recordist, David Leitch - Stunts, Mark Stefanich - Stunts, Simon Rhee - Stunts Coordinator, Tom Busch - Unit Production Manager, Dan Gurskis - Screenwriter, Nancy Segler - First Assistant Camera, Jordan McMonagle - First Assistant Camera, Fred Thomas - First Assistant Camera, Grady Upchurch - First Assistant Camera, Joe Connolly - Properties Master, Marti Humphrey - Re-Recording Mixer, Liz Sroka - Re-Recording Mixer, Alicia Accardo - Script Supervisor, Karen Davis - Second Assistant Director, Rory Robert Knepp - Steadicam Operator, Guy D'Alema - Still Photographer, John Sisti - Supervising Sound Editor, Steve "Ziggy" Zigler - Best Boy Electric, Fred Lloyd - Costumes Supervisor, Donny Fowler - Electrician, David McLean - Electrician, Mark McKinney - Electrician, Chad Darnell - Extra Casting, David Dreyer - Leadman, Joe Branton - Set Dresser, Michael Choyce - Set Dresser, Ellen L. Kerr - Set Decorator, Melinda Sanders - Set Decorator
The Substitute 4: Failure Is Not An Option is a 2001 actionthrillerfilm starring Treat Williams once as again as Karl Thomasson who is now an undercover policeman that must infiltrate a military school's faculty to cease the actions of white supremacists.
