Review of Above the Law (1988) by Tammy L — 12 Oct 2009

Before Steven Seagal pretty much became a laughingstock these days, he was a bonafide action movie star, which was made very apparent in his film debut, Above the Law. Above the Law is about an Italian martial arts expert named Nico (Seagal) who is recruited into the CIA and sent into Vietnam where he realizes that fellow CIA operatives (namely head bad guy Henry Silva) are abusing their powers and committing illegal crimes.

He quits and, several years later, works as an undercover cop with partner Pam Grier (whose good in this). They stumble upon a major bust that grows bigger and bigger into a crime conspiracy that has Seagal revisiting his old CIA days, as well as his enemies, who plan to assassinate a major political figure.

Thanks to breakthrough direction from Andrew Davis (Under Siege, The Fugitive), this film never really goes to over the top. In fact, the film has held up quite well in the many years it has been out, but this of course could be attributed to the very weill written and crafted story.

Seagal makes a terrific debut in this film and his nicely supported by a good supporting cast, save for Sharon Stone (who plays his wife) who thankfully isn't in the movie all that much. Overall, a great film and excellent beginning to Seagal's following 4 or 5 films, which were his heyday movies.