Be Somebody… or Be Somebody's Fool! (1984)

Load of rubbish!!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

This is a classic kid's educational video starring the one and only Mr T.The whole premise of BSoBSF is that Mr T (or Doctor T or Coach T, depending on which hilarious persona he is at the time) teaches the viewer about things such as respect, friendship, and daydreaming (?).Mr T carries this thing, and that is what makes this funny. Ever want to see T smear egg salad on his face, or attempt to do the robot, or smile and take pictures of kids in slacks while talking about his 'cool style'? Here's your chance. And Stacy Ferguson, aka Fergie, is supposedly in this, but I couldn't pick her out.Other highlights include T being completely owned by a 8 year old kid in dancing, not saying words correctly when acting as a teacher, doing crouches while balancing popcorn on his head, the whole Style segment of the most hideous 80's style ever put together, T badly singing a song about respect your mother, a terrible Jackson 5 impersonator, and a fat kid who can't do rudimentary things like go down a slide correctly, or do a jumping jack.Basically, the whole thing is a hoot if you enjoy really corny and bad edutainment films, or like Mr T (ie everyone).8/10

Although all agree that this movie is hysterically funny and not to be missed, I am compelled to defend it from the implication that it's one of those "So-bad-it's-good" movies, a la Showgirls or the one where Rupert Everett gets Madonna pregnant. When the video started rolling, I was really ready to make fun of Mr. T, to suggest he was on drugs when he filmed this, or that he had to make it to pay off gambling debts, but this movie is truly good, good lessons, good feelings, good attitudes, good fun. I just ordered 4 copies: one for me, 2 for gifts for friends, and one to keep around for whomever might need it. I only hope that more people find out about it so it can get the recognition it deserves, and so that more people (especially kids) will be exposed to Mr. T's lessons of self-esteem, his perpetually hopeful spirit and his silly sense of humor.

This video is hard to come across, but if you do, snag it. It is too funny. Mr T. teaches kids the importance of being honest, dealing with anger, and of course, the art of RAP. "We all have a rap," he says, "we just have to find it." Wow. What a profound statement. It's almost as profound as the wonderful wardrobe and hairdressing departments. If you find it "foolish" to laugh at Mr. T singing and rapping, you can always laugh at the classic 80's getups.

I have to come out and say, I disagree with the previous comment. The reason that I'm penning this is not to stomp on someone else's opinion, but rather to expose the pros that may be ignored. This video is pretty unique. (Might have some spoilers, but this video does not have a plot situation to spoil.)This is a motivational video for children wherein Mr.T explores some of the mores that he believes in. They range from classical moral staples to bizarre acts of individuality. But the overall effect is pretty remarkable- this could be easily relegated to the so-bad-it's-good pile, or considered just an extremely odd offering. But if you grew up with Mr. T, it could just be a document of the man's righteousness. A video like this probably wouldn't be made these days, but what a trip back. This tape features Mr. T attempting to breakdance, New Edition on peer pressure, Mr. T's video for the pseudo-electro-rap song "Treat Your Mother Right", ghostwriting by Ice T and two appearances of the word "absoludicrous"."Be Somebody.." is pretty tough to track down, and was originally referred to me by someone who bought their copy from a video store (where no one else rented it). If you come across this, and you don't consider Mr. T merely a ridiculous early-80's effigy, it's worth a viewing. They just don't make videos like this anymore!