Hokey tv-movie has Mr. T sticking up for some inner-city kids. His name might be "Bruise" but the action is fairly tepid. It's worth seeing just for the rap Monsieur T does over the opening credits. The video was available on Cabin Fever, in case you're trying to locate it.
9 Reviews
One for Mr T fans only
bob the moo4 January 2002
Nightclub bouncer Bruise runs a youth centre for kids in a run-down city block. When funding is revoked the centre faces closure and Bruise combines with young thief Billy to put together a plan to raise the money. With time running out Bruise prepares to enter the "Toughest Man in the World" competition with a prize of $100,000. Can he raise the money and save the underprivileged children?
Whenever the film opened with the theme song (rapped by Mr T) I thought "this is going to be bad" and indeed I was quite right. The story is quite lame, basically to save the centre they try grants, a carnival and several other ways to raise money - unsurprisingly they all fail only to have Bruise resort to entering the contest. However, as the title reveals, the competition is the focus of the film and the other plans feel like they were put in just to fill the first hour of the film. It's all quite predictable, however if you are a 2 year old I won't spoil it by telling you if he wins the contest or not.
The plot is weak and the action is laughable - all the fights are pure WCW. Mr T lumbers round as baddies line up to be thrown or clotheslined. I didn't expect anything else but did it have to be so staged looking? The script also becomes tiresome because Mr T wants to be seen as a role model - his character must take a stand on everything. In the course of 90 minutes Mr T essentially preaches against drugs, child poverty, thugs, Government bureaucracy, smoking, violence and eschews the importance of literacy, going to school, hard work and honesty etc. Any flaws his character had are used to show how he learnt from past mistakes. It feels like some scenes are set up to have Mr T preach to the camera - at some points it's like he's not even interacting with the other actors, rather he's just preaching directly to the audience.
Mr T is not a great lead (he can't act, rap, do comedy or fight convincingly) but he's not without a certain charm (although it's buried quite deep here). Navin Jr is unbelievable as Billy and looks like a classically trained child actor playing a poor ghetto criminal. Some of the support deliver their lines with such pantomime cheese that it's laughable - the official in the council offices is the worst. Some interest was raised by the site of mob-film regular Frank Vincent in a 5 second cameo but it wanes again pretty quickly.
Overall a poor TV movie set up to continue the star power of Mr T. Even for his fans there isn't much to enjoy here.
Whenever the film opened with the theme song (rapped by Mr T) I thought "this is going to be bad" and indeed I was quite right. The story is quite lame, basically to save the centre they try grants, a carnival and several other ways to raise money - unsurprisingly they all fail only to have Bruise resort to entering the contest. However, as the title reveals, the competition is the focus of the film and the other plans feel like they were put in just to fill the first hour of the film. It's all quite predictable, however if you are a 2 year old I won't spoil it by telling you if he wins the contest or not.
The plot is weak and the action is laughable - all the fights are pure WCW. Mr T lumbers round as baddies line up to be thrown or clotheslined. I didn't expect anything else but did it have to be so staged looking? The script also becomes tiresome because Mr T wants to be seen as a role model - his character must take a stand on everything. In the course of 90 minutes Mr T essentially preaches against drugs, child poverty, thugs, Government bureaucracy, smoking, violence and eschews the importance of literacy, going to school, hard work and honesty etc. Any flaws his character had are used to show how he learnt from past mistakes. It feels like some scenes are set up to have Mr T preach to the camera - at some points it's like he's not even interacting with the other actors, rather he's just preaching directly to the audience.
Mr T is not a great lead (he can't act, rap, do comedy or fight convincingly) but he's not without a certain charm (although it's buried quite deep here). Navin Jr is unbelievable as Billy and looks like a classically trained child actor playing a poor ghetto criminal. Some of the support deliver their lines with such pantomime cheese that it's laughable - the official in the council offices is the worst. Some interest was raised by the site of mob-film regular Frank Vincent in a 5 second cameo but it wanes again pretty quickly.
Overall a poor TV movie set up to continue the star power of Mr T. Even for his fans there isn't much to enjoy here.
An unashamed Mr. T vehicle
degeneraatti27 September 2014
Being another bargain bin find, my expectations were quite low for The Toughest Man in the World. At the time, Mr. T had just fought Rocky and joined the A-Team, but had yet to tag team with Hulk Hogan. Nonetheless, all the mannerisms we've come to expect from the mohawk-sporting man of muscle are present here.
Yes, it is ludicrous. Mr. T shows his innate ability to wreak havoc whenever given the opportunity, and it's brilliant in it's corny hilariousness.
Yes, it is preachy. But it's honest about it upfront, and the message is plain yet heartfelt. Just what you'd expect from a made-for-TV movie starring Mr. T, really.
If you are looking for something with credible acting or an exciting story, you will do yourself no favors by watching this. But if Mr. T rapping the theme song himself and breaking down a few doors and walls and some unruly customers using nothing but brute force, this is a film that will stay with you and make you giggle whenever you remember another funny scene from this film. And trust me, there are plenty of such scenes.
In short: recommended for select audiences. You know who you are.
Yes, it is ludicrous. Mr. T shows his innate ability to wreak havoc whenever given the opportunity, and it's brilliant in it's corny hilariousness.
Yes, it is preachy. But it's honest about it upfront, and the message is plain yet heartfelt. Just what you'd expect from a made-for-TV movie starring Mr. T, really.
If you are looking for something with credible acting or an exciting story, you will do yourself no favors by watching this. But if Mr. T rapping the theme song himself and breaking down a few doors and walls and some unruly customers using nothing but brute force, this is a film that will stay with you and make you giggle whenever you remember another funny scene from this film. And trust me, there are plenty of such scenes.
In short: recommended for select audiences. You know who you are.
Mr T not like the character he portrayed
DBoehl26 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
As a supplier to the production, the UNIVERSAL GYM weight machine, I saw a behind the scenes Mr. T that was nothing like the character.
I agree that movie was very inspirational. My gripe is the way Mr. T treated the kids who were hanging around the Chicago Park District building. All they wanted was some recognition a hi-5, a continuous down the line hand slap, maybe just point to them and say HI. There was nothing from him. When moving from the set to his trailer the hood would come up, his head down and moving quickly telling the kids to get out of his way. It was very sad to see the disappointment on their faces. My own five year old son who was with me on the set couldn't get any recognition. If it wasn't for Mr. Dave Cass, the stunt coordinator, none of the kids, some of whom waited in the drizzling rain for a glimpse of the star from "The A Team' wouldn't have anything. I saw him take some press pictures of Mr. T with the auto-signed autograph and pass them out till they were all gone, he talked to those who had questions and generally made them feel appreciated which is what they wanted from their 'hero'.
So the movie rates a 7 for what it is, the star rates a 0 from what I witnessed.
Dave Boehl
I agree that movie was very inspirational. My gripe is the way Mr. T treated the kids who were hanging around the Chicago Park District building. All they wanted was some recognition a hi-5, a continuous down the line hand slap, maybe just point to them and say HI. There was nothing from him. When moving from the set to his trailer the hood would come up, his head down and moving quickly telling the kids to get out of his way. It was very sad to see the disappointment on their faces. My own five year old son who was with me on the set couldn't get any recognition. If it wasn't for Mr. Dave Cass, the stunt coordinator, none of the kids, some of whom waited in the drizzling rain for a glimpse of the star from "The A Team' wouldn't have anything. I saw him take some press pictures of Mr. T with the auto-signed autograph and pass them out till they were all gone, he talked to those who had questions and generally made them feel appreciated which is what they wanted from their 'hero'.
So the movie rates a 7 for what it is, the star rates a 0 from what I witnessed.
Dave Boehl
A cheesefest you cannot help but enjoy!
jonathanorr21 July 2021
In the words of Mr. T himself, this movie is ABSOLUDACRIS. In the best way possible. I've probably seen this movie 30 times, and it never gets old. Corny, cheesy, silly, absurd. Pick a synonym. But you cannot tell me it's not incredibly enjoyable. Mr. T is a treasure, and so is this movie. So watch it, FOO!
Moralistic 80's Drama
Big Movie Fan9 June 2002
In most of his films and TV shows Mr T-to his credit-has always been a good role model to youngsters. He has mostly played moralistic characters who try to encourage people to develop qualities such as loyalty, friendship, thoughtfulness and humility. The Toughest Man in the World is one of those films.
Throughout the movie Mr T as Bruise Brubaker shows a young kid the error of his ways and how to do the right thing. Of course, there's plenty of action throughout. The young kid strays from the path of good on quite a few occasions but Bruise Brubaker never gives up and is always there to pick up the pieces.
It's a shame they don't make movies like this any more. This is a movie that conveys a moralistic message but at the same time provides plenty of action and entertainment.
Well done Mr. T.
Throughout the movie Mr T as Bruise Brubaker shows a young kid the error of his ways and how to do the right thing. Of course, there's plenty of action throughout. The young kid strays from the path of good on quite a few occasions but Bruise Brubaker never gives up and is always there to pick up the pieces.
It's a shame they don't make movies like this any more. This is a movie that conveys a moralistic message but at the same time provides plenty of action and entertainment.
Well done Mr. T.
Wow
bevo-1367831 March 2020
The Toughest Man in the World starring the Toughest Man in the World.
GC-921 October 2001
This is a very cool film starring the Toughest Man in the World, Mr. T. Directed by Dick Lowry (Project ALF, Smokey and The Bandit 3) the film tells the story of Bruise Brubaker, a tough as nails bouncer with a heart of gold. Brubaker, played with gusto by real life tough-guy and former bouncer Mr. T, decides to enter a toughman contest, but it will take every thing he has to prevail. An exciting treat for fans of Mr. T. Hard to find, but if you do, check it out!
Quite simply a classic.
m_oppenheim17 December 2001
Just see how many cloth caps you can spot in the movie! The music and breakdancing sequence at the beginning really takes you back in time. The nightclub dancer is truly a star - those moves - she should have been in Flash Dance. Weight lifters have serious man boobs. Possibly best of all is Mr. T's hair cut. There's even an Al Pacino lookalike (1 hour into the film)- "little showbiz twist I've got buzzin' around in my head" - Al never quite delivered a line like that in his long career. Billy Green has the funkiest walk I have ever seen! Nice shorts that Mr. T wears on the 10 km run, my only worry is that they look a little small for his well built physique. I wonder if there were any 'popping out' incidents during filming (mind you, these could be saved for extra material when the film is released on DVD). Has to be seen to be believed.
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