Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

draincowboy Seen this movie on the Human Condition several times 2C those ratings of less than 5 stars could be frustrating, if I had not yet reached midlife. However, having surpassed that milestone, low ratings are best understood 2b those of individuals either too shallow to swim in any form of deep waters, or too young to have adequately attained a measure of maturity or develop even the basic elements of character. For those whom rated this movie a three or under: inexcusable unless developmentally challenged. For tis of basic decency that should one especially dislike a film, a simple conveyance of it not being to ones liking with perhaps details on what concept was found 2b disagreeable. However, 2b critical & demeaning of so many aspects of a film right down to even generalized oerception of poor acting in a film consisting of SO MANY A-list professional actors & indeed, some reviews can find nothing of value ought be adequate in itself of a reflection of the LACK of character, insight, empathy, humility, ethics, & ESPECIALLY an ability to form or process a perception based on any point of view outside of self. Sime of the low reviews here indicate puddles deeper than the reviewer. Enuf said. Perhaps the film will not appeal to all folk? Thats a given. Personally, I found the film 2b moving, the acting wonderful, the take away of inspiration to keep in mind the fact all have a story & a position of greatness all are capable of rising to &/or improving. In the subtle living our moments of life, we CAN find the power of hope & desire to make the most - or better - of the hand dealt us ..... & look down ONLY when lifting up our fellow man along is his journey as well. Shame on reviewers whom inconsiderately devalue a work to the point of having nothing at all redeemable to say ? Lazy is an individual whom cannot expend a small amount of time 2b introspective or LOOK FOR a single positive aspect within a work which resulted in a collaboration of MANY individuals & MUCH time, energy, effort & resources. Halfway intelligent & decent folks kno better to generally ignore reviews w/ratings of 1,2, &3 when a significant number of reviews are at the polar end .... If a reviewer can take the time to leave a review of ONLY total critical nature, its a reflection of the quality of character of the reviewer. Shame those reviewers even HAVE the benefit/privlege of viewing these bodies of WORK! Yes, they are WORKS in that those involved w/any aspect of it being available for others have an investment. If nothing else, some respect is rightly deserved to those. Again, one doesnt HAVE to "like" a movie. There ARE bad movies. However, unless one is "dead" inside, THIS movie, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, qualifies under films considered 2b "bad" !! Pfffft In fact, if a heart actually beats, & one has even BASIC decency, this movie WILL touch a part of the human soul and leave a mark. This reviewer sincerely grateful for this body of work. The film world is a better place for it having been made :)

bkoganbing One of the most moving experiences in cinema I had during the Nineties was watching Renaissance Man. It's more than a comedy about underachievers realizing their potential. It's about the man who makes them realize their worth as human beings getting quite an education about life himself.Danny DeVito is that man in a role about as far removed as you can get from Louis DePalma in Taxi and Lawrence Garfield in Other People's Money. He's an advertising man who loses a couple of big clients while getting stuck in traffic and gets bounced from his job.Needing an income while looking for a job, the Michigan Unemployment Department gives him an interesting job, a civilian remedial education teacher for the United States Army. He's assigned to a class of eight trainees who might wash out if they don't shape up. It's their mental attitudes that need adjusting.A little trial and error and DeVito hits upon the idea to use Shakespeare, specifically Hamlet as a teaching tool. Interpreting and learning life's lesson from one of the greatest works of literature in the English language apparently works and in ways far beyond making these trainees get through basic training.This is my favorite film with Danny DeVito and he's not an easy fit into army life. Cliff Robertson, James Remar, and Gregory Hines are some of the army people he deals with.But the eight trainees are the heart of the film. Mark Wahlberg, Lillo Brancato, Kadeem Hardison, Richard Jones, Khalil Kain, Gregory Sporleto, Stacey Dash are seven of them. One of them doesn't make it through and ironically because of an act of kindness. But my favorite in the film is Peter Simmons who plays Private Brian Davis from Grand Forks, North Dakota. It's young men like him and his father before him in Vietnam who was killed in action who keep this country safe and secure. He gets the best recognition possible at the end of the film and you are guaranteed not to have a dry eye when you see it.Renaissance Man is a beautifully crafted film from Penny Marshall and should not be missed when broadcast.

donnybrookus While trite in some ways, this is still a very enjoyable movie. The relationship between the teacher and the drill sergeant is wonderful, and Danny DeVito is great. While the ending is predictable, the misfits DeVito is tasked with teaching are a terrific mix of characters. I can watch this movie over and over for one scene, the speech by the kind of nerdy soldier who gives the sergeant the "We few, we band of brothers" speech. His movement during the speech as he switches from a "soldier in the rain" to an actor reciting Shakespeare is hilarious. And Danny Devito climbing the tower is priceless. Watch the movie.

Catherine_Grace_Zeh RENAISSANCE MAN, in my opinion, is an excellent comedy that will make you laugh hard, smile, and feel good. If you ask me, Montgomery (Kadeem Hardison) was the funniest recruit of everyone in the gang. Despite the fact that he was a tough guy, I also thought that Cass (Gregory Hines) was funny, too. To me, Bill (Danny DeVito) was a very good teacher who knew how to make things fun. Now, in conclusion, I highly recommend this excellent comedy that will make you laugh and feel good to any Danny DeVito fan who hasn't seen it. You're in for lots of laughter and a good time, so go to the video store, rent it or buy it, kick back with a friend, and watch it.