Above the Law (1988)

"Above the Law" is Steven Seagal's debut film - and one of his best films ever. It's a great action-thriller dealing with corruption and illegal CIA activities. The film was co-written and directed by Andrew Davis, who also directed the equally great first Under Siege film with Seagal. The story is good and captivating and the action is superb and highly satisfying. I like that the film addresses certain "uncomfortable" topics, like torture of POWs, police corruption and the state's involvement in criminal activities (such as the CIA's involvement in opium dealings). I also like that the Italian mob plays a vital role in protecting Seagal's family.Long before he garnered a reputation as an egotist stuck in straight to rental hell, he was an action star worth watching by the action movie faithful. Above the Law was his first official film and it's undoubtedly one of his best. It showcases his considerable skills as a martial artist whilst providing plenty of thrills and high octane action spills. Plot is hardly original, but it matters not in the grand scheme of things, and yes some of the acting from Seagal is stiff, but it never gets dull, the support cast are strong and, well, quite frankly, the film kicks butt! Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Andrew Davis directed Steven Seagal as Chicago cop Nico Toscani, a Vietnam veteran who was recruited by the CIA in Japan, who was then sent to Vietnam, where he objected to the harsh interrogation techniques of Zagon(played by Henry Silva) but could do nothing. 15 years later, Nico has busted a drug gang and discovered plastic explosives. He is later shocked to learn that those he arrested were released, and is stonewalled about the reasons why. After he is suspended, Nico discovers that his old Nemesis Zagon is behind it all, and must be stopped... Seagal certainly can perform well in the action scenes, though despite the good direction, this film is just too routine and predictable to work. Sharon Stone costars as his wife.

Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal) is a Chicago cop. As a young man, he went to Japan to learn martial arts. He's recruit by the CIA to go to Vietnam, but he quits when he's supposed to work with the sadistic drug smuggler Zagon. Now with his present day partner Delores Jackson (Pam Grier), his investigation into the drug dealer Salvano runs smack into a conflict with the CIA and a face from the past.This has Steven Seagal's three favorite things. There's the eastern influences that he loves so much. And also there's the drug infested underbelly that he finds fascinating. The biggest thing is that he is undoubtedly the big hero fighting against a corrupt system. If you love these three things, you'll like this movie. The action is pretty good and the story has enough bite. The pacing do slack off for big stretches of time. However it still works enough as an action thriller.

This is by far the best movie Steven Seagal ever made. I think it was his first movie, and because of this, I surmise, he probably left the people alone that had the creative control. He was also younger then, and in better shape then he is now. His most recent movies appear to have action stunt doubles, whenever there is any jumping around required, and that's really a let down. In this movie the martial arts moves are crisp and believable. The writing in the movie was great and some of the lines, particularly by the bad guys like Zagon, I remember to this day. The actors that play the CIA "spooks" are good, as is Pam Grier, Seagal's partner in the movie. A great Martial Arts action movie, and definitely in my top 10 list.