Lesson Plan

I enjoyed this. The main character, Damian, is believable and sympathetic, plus we feel sorry for him because his wife was murdered by some really serious bad guys. The baddies in this film are suitably loathsome, the love interest is cute and we are encouraged to root for the good guys from the word go. The high school setting is convincing, the locations are dark and threatening and everything generally goes the way we want. Not cinematic history but a good thriller with a different setting from most. I can see where the comparisons with Reacher come from but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Watchable and satisfying, once you've had a drink or two.

This movie is the epitome of a cliche factory. School full of supervillains, teaching kids to stand up for themselves, women getting all hot and bothered cuz a guy defended their life, drugs are SUPER evil, fight scenes near electrical wires that will clearly end with the bad guy getting kicked into the wires...just, all of them.

BUT...who really cares? Saw reviewers giving this a 1 and 2, really? This is a clear cut sign someone has never truly seen a 1 or 2 star movie. Me? I managed to sit at least 50-60% through Insane Clown Posse's "Big Money Rustlas" (I don't even like ICP) and I watched all of "Money Plane", which is closer to a 1 or 2 star movie than this could ever hope to be. I'd still give it like, a 3 though.

What you are actually watching is the closest thing I've seen to a live action anime/comic book film set in Poland. I've watched very few Polish films/shows (so none of these actors are recognizable) and I'm awful with faces, but lucky for me, every single bad guy is distinctively designed from the rest of the cast...from primary bad guys to the randoms he fights, like the striped polo gang in the bar. Every issue can be solved with a fist fight, the main character just happens to show up at every location/scene they're needed at that time, and the bad guys only ever bring as much back-up as is completely necessary at the time, super convenient.

If you are looking for a movie that is going to make you think, make you ponder hard truths, and blah blah blah...this is not for you. PLENTY of those out there as every camera comes with a soapbox these days, but this is great for about 90ish (without credits) minutes of entertainment. I'd rate it a generous 7 but the action scenes lack impact...which, you'd think would be the only thing they'd definitely get right, but, alas.

Lesson Plan" is a solid action film that delivers an enjoyable viewing experience with its straightforward yet engaging plot. The story centers on Damien, who steps in as a teacher after a friend dies under suspicious circumstances. As he takes on this new role, Damien finds himself entangled with gangs and drug dealers that have infiltrated the school. Determined to restore order and find out who is responsible for his friend's death, Damien takes matters into his own hands.

The film excels in its character development, making the audience root for Damien and his students as they band together to reclaim their school. The characters are well-crafted, and their struggles and growth throughout the movie add depth to the narrative. Damien's efforts to teach his students self-defense lead to numerous well-choreographed fight scenes that keep the action dynamic and exciting.

The plot is reminiscent of classics like "The Karate Kid" and "The Substitute," blending elements of martial arts and teacher-student camaraderie. This familiar formula works well, creating a sense of nostalgia while still feeling fresh. The gritty cinematography enhances the film's atmosphere, immersing viewers in the tough, high-stakes environment the characters navigate.

Overall, "Lesson Plan" is a well-executed action film that stands out with its compelling characters and thrilling fight sequences. It's a movie that knows its genre and delivers on its promise, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of action-packed dramas. Whether you're in it for the intense action, the heartfelt moments, or the satisfying narrative, "Lesson Plan" offers a bit of everything and is sure to entertain.

A decent low budget martial arts film coming out of Poland. The total is greater than the sum of its parts as the script about undercover teachers trying to break up a drug ring at a school is not that believable. The Characters, too, very cartoonish. The direction and cinematography are very 1980's and low budget. Predictable. However, it works pretty well for what it is. The cast is watchable. The star is believable as a broken undercover cop trying to make good on a failure to his deceased friend. The actress that plays the lead female teacher is very good. The fighting is plentiful and decent. It has heart, for sure.

Not only does the story move at a glacial pace, the action moves just as slow. Every move looks over-choreographed and lands so slowly it looks like it does no damage. Not only that but even when the main character's life is threatened, he rarely does any permanent damage to his opponents. He leaves random drunks with more bruises than those responsible for his friend's death. It completely breaks immersion.

Overall, the story itself isn't a bad one and the film could've been an entertaining if unmemorable action flick if some sort of action coach had been hired and a script editor hired to remove the cheesy, recycled lines from old kung-fu movies. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and it instead ended up disappointingly average.