Review of Urban Justice (2007) by Rob C — 01 Mar 2011

From the many reviews I've read about Urban Justice being Steven Seagal's comeback film; I think not. I'm not doubting Seagal's talent as a bonafide bone-breaking animal, he just needs to ease back on his appearances in film. There's only so many times you can play the same character. The types he portrays seem to always be mixed up in some kind of vendetta. It's becoming over-played and honestly, just downright offensive.

When his son, Officer Max Ballister (Cory Hart), is gunned down on the streets, Simon Ballister (Steven Seagal) comes out of the murky depths to find his gunmen. He leaves a trail of busted bodies which catches the attention of ESG gang leader Armand Tucker (Eddie Griffith), who sends more cannon fodder his way, hoping it will stop Ballister's own brand of interrogation. However, Ballister has more than local gangbangers after him which seems to come from every direction.

Having Eddie Griffith play a gang leader is pretty weak, considering he brings no intimidating attributes to his character. He tries to present some humor into his role, even so much as adding a little Pacino-esque dialogue into his vocabulary. I see him only as a comedian and nothing more. Even then, mediocre at best. Danny Trejo makes a five minute appearance in the film as The Hyde Park gang leader El Chivo, rival's to Armand's ESG gang. He should of had some more scenes in, though. On top of Seagal's "same character" dilemma, it's blatantly obvious that he's having an asthma attack when he's rushing up and down the streets. Yes, he breaks fingers, hands, ribs; but he "huffs and puffs" between takes, it's hard to concentrate on his choreography. And to think, this film was going to have a theatrical release.

I give the film one thing, though, the amount of bodies Seagal leaves in his wake. He accumulates a hefty amount with blood seeming to come out at all angles when the characters get shot (he even takes one as well). So in conclusion, why does Steven Seagal continue to go on as an actor? If this is the best he can come up with now, there's no need to keep putting out horrible releases.