Real Men

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"The fate of the world is in their hands. God help us all."
  • PG-13
  • 1987
  • 1 hr 25 min
  • 6.0  (4,682)
  • 47

Real Men is a 1987 action-adventure-comedy directed by Dennis Feldman and stars Jim Belushi and John Ritter in the leading roles, with supporting performances by Barbara Barrie and Bill Morey. The movie revolves around two complete opposites being paired together by the CIA on a mission to save the world. Bob Wilson (Belushi) is drafted into the mission by CIA agent Jim Smiley (Morey) because of his resemblance to the genius scientist, Dr. Sidney Toliver, who is believed to be in possession of a chemical weapon that could annihilate the planet. The other half of the dynamic duo is James Stewart (Ritter), a mild-mannered insurance salesman, who is charged with escorting Wilson to the destination - a secret meeting with Dr. Toliver.

The movie opens with a scene in a lab where an old man is frantically trying to escape the clutches of two burly men who break in, but they are quickly stopped by an assassin who kills the old man and absconds with some classified documents. Cut to CIA headquarters where Smiley is briefing the senior officials about the gravity of the situation and how Toliver's weapon is capable of wiping out every living creature on the planet. Wilson is brought in, and Smiley tries to convince him to undertake the mission, but Wilson is reluctant and duly intimidated. The CIA then decides to bring in James Stewart and pair him with Wilson to complete the mission.

Wilson and Stewart are entirely different individuals - Wilson being a rough, tough, and crude individual, while Stewart is nerdy, whiny, and inefficient. The movie progresses as the two embark on their mission safeguarding the planet, and the contrast between their completely opposite characters is one of the highlights of the film. As they set out, they encounter various obstacles, including assassins, rival intelligence agencies, and a van full of vengeful transvestites.

The humor throughout the movie is not overly sophisticated or ground-breaking, but it is genuinely amusing and creates an overall light-hearted feel to the story. Ritter and Belushi both commit fully to their roles, and their chemistry is undeniable. Ritter's performance is understated but endearing in the way he tries to assert himself in the face of Belushi's overbearing behavior. Belushi, on the other hand, brings his trademark style of humor to the proceedings, playing the part of the gruff, brash Bob Wilson flawlessly. His timing is impeccable, and his delivery of some of the movie's more memorable lines is inspired. Even though the movie is dated, Belushi and Ritter's comedic timing and energy are still relevant today.

The action in the movie is well-done, and the pacing is good, with the sense of danger and urgency maintained throughout the movie. The climax is frenzied and action-packed, as the two heroes perform acrobatic stunts and fight off the villains in a deserted warehouse to save the world from destruction. The resolution may be a bit simplistic, but that does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the movie.

The movie's underlying message is simplistic and moralistic - that real men stand up for what is right, regardless of the personal cost. The movie is not too deep, but it does not set out to be. Real Men is pure escapist entertainment that delivers on the laughs and the action.

Overall, Real Men is a fun and enjoyable movie that wears its 80s sensibilities on its sleeve. The performances by both Belushi and Ritter are top-notch, the action is fantastic, and the humor hits the spot. The movie may have been overlooked in its time, but it is worth taking a look back at as a testament to the quality that was present in 80s cinema.

Real Men is a 1987 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 47.

Real Men
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Where to Watch Real Men
Real Men is available to watch free on Pluto TV and Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, The Roku Channel, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Real Men for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1987
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 25 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (4,682)
  • Metascore
    47