Above the Law

Nico Toscani is one of the toughest cops on Chicago’s vice squad and he’s aiming to put away Tony Salvano, one of the city’s most notorious drug dealers. But, when the feds get involved, Salvano walks and Nico is told to stay away. Refusing direct orders, Nico stays on the case and soon discovers that Salvano is mixed up in more than just drugs. With each new clue in the case leading back to Nico’s time in the CIA. Above the Law, Steven Seagal’s debut film, is a decent movie that is clearly working very hard to set up Seagal for success. The opening mixes details of Seagal’s own life into his character’s backstory, establishing Nico Toscani as a super badass with an unflinching moral compass. The film’s Chicago setting also adds some unique flair to the movie. Seagal is backed up by a decent supporting cast including Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, and Henry Silva, along with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance from Michael Rooker. Steven Seagal and director Andrew Davis would team up again in 1992 for the far superior film Under Siege.

Rating: 62%

(Image from Wikipedia)

The Final Terror

It was supposed to be a fun weekend trip in the wilderness. Hiking, rafting, bonfires and a little bit of the old Mary Jane. But, what the campers didn't know is that they weren't alone in those woods. Something was silently stalking them and it knew the terrain a lot better than they did. Produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff, one of the co-founders of American International Pictures, The Final Terror was meant to capitalize on the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th. Unable to find a distributor, the film was shelved until 1983. Finally garnering a release after some of the cast had gone on to find more legitimate success. Said cast includes Daryl Hannah, Adrian Zmed, Mark Metcalf, Rachel Ward and Joe Pantoliano. Though light on kills and gore, The Final Terror has fantastic locations and an effective killer.

Rating: 64%

(Image from Wikipedia)

Under Siege

Before he became Russia's favorite son, Steven Seagal used to do all of his fightin' and killin' for America. And never more patriotically than in Under Siege. In the film, Seagal plays Chief Petty Officer Casey Ryback, a super secret badass hiding out in plain sight as a cook on the USS Missouri. After mercenaries take over the Missouri, Ryback springs into action and almost single handedly brings down the bad guys before they can offload the ship's nuclear arsenal. The action in Under Siege is top notch, with countless gun fights, fist fights, knife fights and at least one throat rip. The cast is rounded out with plenty of familiar faces like Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Busey, Erika Eleniak, Colm Meaney, Raymond Cruz and President George H. W. Bush. Under Siege is, in all likelihood, the best movie Steven Seagal ever made or ever will make.

Rating: 72%

(Image from Wikipedia)