Review of On Deadly Ground (1994) by Alexander C — 18 Oct 2012

The movie touches on issues regarding the preservation of nature, the misuse of natural resources and native american people. Quite impressive considering the themes of many films where Seagal has been in, which are about war, assassination, covert operations or just plain violent behavior suppressing more violent behavior. The music is cool, there is a song 'Under the Same Sun' by the Scorpions, the vistas and natural scenery are very impressive and there are lots of action scenes.

In the action scenes I could spot Aikido movements such as Ikkyo, Tenchi-nage, Kote-gaeshi, locks and some Jo techniques.. steelpipe was used inventively as a Jo but the principles were the same. This presence of Aikido used as defensive measure is not often seen in films.

Some of the sound effects applied in the action scenes are ridiculous, and some lines, like those of the gasping sounds and awe of the background audience in the saloon scene, are simply silly and seem a bit too pre-planned and thus out-of-place. I was left with the impression that they were to create the impression how everyone knew what a bad dude Forrest was, but I think his martial arts skills were already more than enough to ensure the watchers of it..

The cast includes Michael Caine, Joan Chen, the director himself, Billy-Bob Thornton, Mike Starr and native actors. There is also a short scene where the director of 'Star Wars V - The Empire Strikes Back' Irvin Kershner appears. The only bad thing that lowered the rating is the same thing that always does that with Seagal films: gross language and the violent scenes. In his quest to destroy an oil rig of an 'evil' oil baron, he applies violence on innocent oil workers (meaning : he kills them brutally) - it seems kind of irresponsible after preaching about the harmony of nature et cetera. Corny and violent, although well filmed action movie. Seagal's directorial debut is actually ok, and tries to raise questions about the preservation of nature.