Retrospective: Above the Law (1988)
Ram Samudrala
Above the Law
http://www.ram.org/ramblings/movies/above_the_law.html
/Above the Law/ features a plot that is popular: a single person
stands against a corrupt governmental agency risking his own life to
expose the truth.
In this film, Nicolo "Nico" Toscani (Steven Seagal) is the person
fighting a set of corrupt operatives in the CIA who are more
interested in power than doing good. Zagon (Henry Silva) is their
psychopathic leader whose special talent is in the area of "chemical
interrogation". When a U.S. Senator puts the heat on them to reveal
their undercover operations, he becomes their next target. Nico, a
former CIA operative, gets caught in this web and must save himself
and his family while taking Zagon out of business.
Seeing this film today (2001), it's not hard for me to understand why
Steven Seagal didn't make it in the movies. While I'd love to say
something positive, it's clear that he's way too serious. His stunt
work, though pretty good, isn't of the calibre of Jackie Chan or Jet
Li. Of course, comparisons to Stallone and Schwarzenneger might be
justified, but the latter at least had some sense to inject some
humour into his films. Comparisons to Clint Eastwood or Mel Gibson
are not.
However, /Above the Law/ is an enjoyable movie. Anyone who feels that
the government is too powerful or likes the thought of invincible
superheroes running around is going to like it. Seagal's character
has the right mix of anger and coolness (though little else). His
anti-authoritarian attitude will also hold an appeal.
I should say that even now I always think of the film title as
referring to Seagal, and not to the CIA members the film refers to.
Worth checking out.
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