Okay, fellow tapeheads, slide that worn copy of Class of 1999 II: The Substitute into the VCR, adjust the tracking if you need to (you probably will), and settle in. Remember stumbling across this one in the ‘New Releases’ section, maybe nestled between a Van Damme flick and something with ‘Cyber’ in the title? It sported that familiar Class of 1999 logo, but wait… Pam Grier wasn't on the cover? Bradley Gregg wasn't kicking robot butt? Instead, we got Sasha Mitchell, fresh off kicking dudes in the face in Kickboxer sequels and, somewhat bizarrely, playing the lovable goof Cody on the sitcom Step by Step. The disconnect was real, folks, but the promise of more killer android teacher mayhem? That was enough to slap down your rental card back in 1994.
Not Quite Back to School
Let’s be clear: this isn't a direct continuation of Mark L. Lester's surprisingly grim and stylish original Class of 1999. While the first film (itself a quasi-sequel to Lester's Class of 1984) gave us military-grade android teachers going full Terminator in a dystopian future school, this sequel, helmed by legendary stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos, feels more like a standalone action flick that borrowed the franchise name. Here, Mitchell plays John Bolen, a seemingly tough-but-fair substitute teacher who steps in after the previous educator meets a suspiciously violent end. Of course, Bolen isn’t just any sub – he’s packing some serious firepower and a hidden agenda involving another rogue educational android, this time played with menacing glee by Nick Cassavetes (son of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, and later director of films like The Notebook - quite the contrast!).
The plot, penned by Mark Sevi (who also gifted us Ghoulies IV), is functional DTV stuff: uncover the conspiracy, protect the innocent student (played by Caitlin Dulany), and engage in escalating firefights and fistfights. It ditches the decaying future-punk aesthetic of the original for a more standard contemporary setting, filmed around recognizable Los Angeles locales. What it loses in atmospheric dread, however, it tries to make up for in sheer action momentum.
The Razatos Stunt Show
And that's where Spiro Razatos comes in. If you know Razatos's name, it's likely from his incredible stunt coordinating and second-unit directing work on massive blockbusters like the Fast & Furious saga or numerous Marvel films. Class of 1999 II was one of his early directorial efforts, and you can feel his background informing every action beat. This film might have had a modest budget (reportedly around $2 million – a shoestring even then), but Razatos squeezes every dime for maximum impact when it comes to the physical stuff.
Forget polished CGI – this is pure 90s practical action. Remember how real those bullet hits looked back then, squibs popping with satisfying bursts? This movie delivers that. The hand-to-hand combat, particularly Mitchell's scenes showcasing his martial arts background, feels grounded and painful. There's a raw energy to the fights and chases. Was that sequence where Bolen takes a tumble down a staircase maybe a little too convincing? That’s the Razatos touch – stunts designed by people who know how to make things look dangerous because they are dangerous. It's a far cry from the smoother, often weightless digital action of today; here, you feel the concrete. Retro Fun Fact: Razatos likely called in favors from his stunt performer network, getting high-quality work for presumably less than their usual blockbuster rates, a common practice in lower-budget actioners helmed by stunt veterans.
Mitchell Steps Up (By Step)
Sasha Mitchell carries the film with a stoic charisma that works surprisingly well. It was certainly a change of pace seeing TV's goofy Cody Lambert suddenly snapping necks and handling heavy weaponry. It's fascinating that he was juggling this kind of gritty action role simultaneously with his family sitcom duties – a testament to the weird casting landscape of 90s television and DTV film. Nick Cassavetes, meanwhile, makes for a suitably creepy and physically imposing threat as the murderous android teacher, Emmett Grazer. He leans into the cold, calculating nature of the machine beneath the human disguise. The supporting cast does their job, reacting appropriately to the escalating chaos, but it's really the Mitchell vs. Cassavetes conflict, orchestrated by Razatos's action sensibilities, that forms the core of the movie.
Direct-to-Video Warrior
Class of 1999 II: The Substitute wasn't destined for critical acclaim or box office glory. It knew its market: the video store shelves, promising action, sci-fi elements, and a recognizable face. It likely did decent rental business, satisfying fans looking for a straightforward 90-minute thrill ride. Did it capture the unique, cynical vibe of the original? Not really. But did it deliver on its promise of a substitute teacher kicking android butt with plenty of practical stunts? Absolutely. Finding info on its specific production can be tricky, as is common with DTV films of this era, but its existence speaks volumes about the hunger for genre content on VHS. It wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel; it was trying to make the wheel explode in a satisfyingly practical fireball.
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Rating: 6/10
Justification: The score reflects a film that delivers solidly on its DTV action promises, largely thanks to Spiro Razatos's stunt expertise providing crunchy, practical thrills. Sasha Mitchell is a capable lead, and Nick Cassavetes a decent villain. However, it loses points for the thin plot, lack of connection to the original's unique atmosphere, and general low-budget limitations that prevent it from being truly memorable. It's a fun slice of 90s action cheese, but not essential viewing unless you're a fan of the era's specific charms or the personnel involved.
Final Thought: This is pure, unadulterated 90s video store fodder – a sequel in name more than spirit, but packing enough practical punch courtesy of a stunt legend to make you nostalgic for the days when action felt less polished and more… painful. Worth dusting off if you miss that raw, slightly clunky DTV energy.