Above the Law

Acceptable compared to other Seagal films, but only because in this one he has a normal, human sized head.

"Above The Law" is not particularly bad, however it never quite hits its stride. The acting and action are mediocre, the dialogues are often cringey, the plot is cliched, but worst of all the writing and editing are really murky: the film doesn't bother to establish much or to execute proper transitions, and the results feel really cramped throughout. The criticism of CIA is a welcome theme, yet the resolution remains naive and the vigilante protagonist's moral high ground is at least debatable.

Sharon Stone and Pam Grier? Rooker and Silva? I'm going to have rewatch this.

The only thing to compare this to is other Steven Seagal films, and sadly, there are better Steven Seagal films that this. Not even Sharon Stone can lift this one up to a reasonable level.

I really like Andrew Davis as a director. He made this film right after directing Chuck Norris in the best film he made. "The Fugitive" is a masterpiece. This film also has both Pam Grier and Henry Silva, so how can it lose? It can lost because it's got fucking Steven Seagal in it, who is one fuck of a toxic screen presence. I hate him and I hate this film. Sorry Andrew Davis.

this is the birth of steven seagal, and it turns out he’s always been an unlikable asshole. it’s a shame the plot about uncovering cia murders and trafficking has so much acting required, because seagal is thoroughly terrible. the aikido hand to hand combat is pretty legit, and pam grier is always cool. funniest part was when an agency friend called seagal to warn him to flee his home and he just went back to sleep. woke up to an arrest warrant in his face. trash but i kinda liked it, very 80’s

who could have predicted that this balding thin martial arts master would one day rule hollywood. ebert said he was the next eastwood and that’s got to be the greatest compliment Clint ever received.

If I said you can't make movies like this anymore, you might assume it was because of the knock-on effects in the collapse of retail DVD sales, but really I'm talking about movies that are critical of the CIA using actual activities they took part in. Zero Dark Thirty, releasing in theaters this fall!

Viewed April 16, 2021.

This was an ok movie.

Skinny Seagal is kind of a trip, though not as much as him being shockingly proficient in Japanese. I'm not convinced "Sayonattasou" is an actual thing Japanese people say, but he definitely picked some stuff up during his martial arts days. His fights here are quick and brutal, but much of the focus is on political intrigue, and the film is nowhere near well written enough to make it work. Grier and Ross have the best characters, but they drop the ball on both of them. 14th film of 2018.

Assassination plots, CIA covert operations and tough-as-nails action all come together in Steven Seagal's debut feature film. Nico not only introduces the viewing public to Seagal's brand of charisma but also to the Japanese martial art of Aikido.

Above The Law is Steven Seagal's first film and my personnel favourite of his. It's by no means an action classic, but I absolutely loved it growing up. Seagal gives his first of many typecast performances, but he's great here as Nico Tasconi. Also Pam Grier is a worthy addition too but Sharon Stone is pretty useless. The aikido sequences are brilliant, the violent action sequences are lots of fun and the soundtrack is great also. Love or hate I am guilty of enjoying Seagal's early action films.

Surprisingly serious debut from (surprisingly slim) Seagal. Also starring Pam Grier, Sharon Stone and Henry Silva. Effeciently directed by Davis but the film lacks that special something that would lift it to the ranks of better 80's action films.

Better than it has any right to be, thanks to the cringe-inducing fight scenes (in the "skateboard video blooper reel" way, not the Cannon Films way). I also liked that it had stupid political content I agree with-- it's an 80's action flick for liberals, but it's still as laughably reductionist as its norrisian counterparts. Oh, Pam Grier and Michael Rooker are in it too, so it gets a credibility bonus to its saving throw vs. suck.

15 minutes before the end of the movie I was bored and waiting the thing just stop. There's few good action scenes and Seagal is vulnerable in this movie. That means that he isn't God like and he gets his ass kicked... a little. Just average shit.

The acting is so bad it's funny, the fighting keeps it entertaining though.....They should change the genre to comedy :)

Semi enjoyable action movie. One of the first of seagals endless action flicks. Because of the semi decent director we get a semi decent scripted, semi decent acted,and semi decent edited movie with some memorable scenes. If in the mood for an slightly above average action movie, put this shit on.

Terrible film. The action is forgettable and so are the characters. No development of Sharon Stone's character or Pam Grier's, despite the fact that they are the two most capable members of the cast. Give this one a miss.

What can I say? I am a huge Seagal fan

The most boring action movie I have ever seen.

in the 80s, this was a great watch, no?

Decent not memorable.

Maybe Seagal's best work.

the best movie steven has ever made IMO.....

The best director Seagal ever worked with made his best movie. Leaner, meaner and way more serious then the rest of the bunch.

better than the other seagal movies i know

Ah! Now, here's a classic. Make no mistake, this is not a good film, but it does rank as one of my favorite "bad" movies. Especially amusing is the movie's attempt at heady political commentary by pointing out the CIA's use of war and drugs to line the pockets of politicos. Still, Segal was a fresh take on the martial arts genre, since he use of "aikido" was different from the styles of Norris, Lee, etc.

Denne action-skinke startede hans lange, for lange karriere som machoguy - i denne udgave endnu frisk og passende til tiden

A modest debut for the action star. Not much going for it other than his few scenes of throwing people around. For its time I'm sure it worked much better.

An extra 5 points for the name of the main character.

lol

Some good old 80's action, where realism and believability take a back seat to the guns, kicks and explosions.

not bad

Good martial arts.

ok

It seemed liked they tried, so I gave this some extra points.

Fight scenes are pretty sweet though...

Seagal's least bad film. The preachiness that would damage other films doesn't *work*, exactly, but sets this movie apart from the usual mean-spirited action garbage

Seagal's debut, not half bad thanks to Seagal's surprisingly good performance and convincing, unique (at the time) fight scenes (witness his shocking physical decline between this film and now). Andrew Davis' direction is crisp and lean, and Henry Silva makes for a great villain.