Review of Out for Justice (1991) by Timothy S — 19 Apr 2010

Throughout the late '80s, it was almost impossible to tell Steven Seagal's films apart because they are so very similar in story and titles. This is Seagal in his prime, however, and this film is unassuming, slightly plotted and yet entertaining. There's nothing special about the story, and while director John Flynn has done some good films in the past, this is very by-the-numbers. It's just one bad career move away from being a made for video for both the director and the star. Still, Seagal is at least in shape here and it's a lot of fun watching him throw police procedure out the window while throwing pimps through windows and using meat cleavers on random thugs.

As we all know, the key to any successful action flick is a good villain, and this has a completely over-the-top William Forsythe easily meeting that requirement. And the writers at least tried to give Seagal an actual person to play. He has some dramatic scenes here where he talks about growing up poor and his father providing for the family at whatever the cost, and they didn't make me laugh. And he has a ponytail, which is a personality trait all its own. And in all honestly, wouldn't the world be a lot better place if every police chief could just give their best man an "unmarked and a shotgun" to clean up the streets? I think so.

This film lives in a world where that is commonplace, and it's a fun place to visit for ninety minutes.