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Amazon.co.uk Review
Steven Seagal plays a Chicago cop who takes on CIA types in this action thriller from Andrew Davis (The Fugitive). Davis brings muscle to the project, including some strong set pieces that make Seagal (who also co-wrote and co-produced the film) look good. Co-stars Pam Grier and Sharon Stone also assist in this endeavour, yet nothing can really mitigate such ridiculous moments as Seagal's getting profound with a villain in his raspy monotone: "You think you're above the law. But you're not.". --Tom Keogh, Amazon.co.uk
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Arabic
English
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Arabic
English
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Towards the end of 2009, the old Video Recordings Act (VRA) was found to have a loophole in it, meaning that it was not enforceable in UK courts as it was originally intended to be. As a result, at least for a short while, the UK censors the BBFC could not legally enforce the need for submitting film companies to have their film classified by them. Thereafter, a handful of discs released during this time were released with unofficial BBFC ratings, having never been formally classified. This is one of them.
"Above the Law" (to use its proper title) was uncut in UK cinemas in 1988 but all subsequent UK home video/DVD releases have been censored. The bar fight at the beginning of the film was missing a couple of heavy blows, along with some some drug use and the final fight was missing a nasty arm break. The UK Blu-ray restores all this footage, whilst cheekily sporting an 18 rating. The BBFC, to date, have not passed this uncut version with an 18 rating (although under their new 2009 guidelines they would). One can assume this is mastered from the US Blu-ray, as not only is it Region Free but it also features on screen it's original title, "Above the Law".
Of course, there is a chance that this is a mishap on behalf of the distributor, Warner Bros., as they have formally submitted uncut version of "Eraser" and "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and had them passed by the BBFC. Whatever the reason, I recommend that Seagal fans wanting to see the film in it's uncut glory purchase it now, before it is pulled from the shelves and replaced with a cut version.
(On a similar note, the UK Blu-ray of "Spider-Man 2" is alleged to be uncut too, having being sourced from an international master. The good thing about the Blu-ray specs being the same worldwide is that things like accidental uncut releases will likely happen from time to time!)
As for the film, it's a solid first film for Steven Seagal. He plays the lead role with assured confidence and has a remarkable screen prescence. The story is engaging enough but the plot ends up being a little too convoluted. However the fight scenes are terrific and Andrew Davis' direction is solid. It's not as thrilling as "Under Siege" but it's a great debut feature for Seagal.
3 stars, plus an extra 1 for being uncut :)
"Above the Law" (to use its proper title) was uncut in UK cinemas in 1988 but all subsequent UK home video/DVD releases have been censored. The bar fight at the beginning of the film was missing a couple of heavy blows, along with some some drug use and the final fight was missing a nasty arm break. The UK Blu-ray restores all this footage, whilst cheekily sporting an 18 rating. The BBFC, to date, have not passed this uncut version with an 18 rating (although under their new 2009 guidelines they would). One can assume this is mastered from the US Blu-ray, as not only is it Region Free but it also features on screen it's original title, "Above the Law".
Of course, there is a chance that this is a mishap on behalf of the distributor, Warner Bros., as they have formally submitted uncut version of "Eraser" and "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and had them passed by the BBFC. Whatever the reason, I recommend that Seagal fans wanting to see the film in it's uncut glory purchase it now, before it is pulled from the shelves and replaced with a cut version.
(On a similar note, the UK Blu-ray of "Spider-Man 2" is alleged to be uncut too, having being sourced from an international master. The good thing about the Blu-ray specs being the same worldwide is that things like accidental uncut releases will likely happen from time to time!)
As for the film, it's a solid first film for Steven Seagal. He plays the lead role with assured confidence and has a remarkable screen prescence. The story is engaging enough but the plot ends up being a little too convoluted. However the fight scenes are terrific and Andrew Davis' direction is solid. It's not as thrilling as "Under Siege" but it's a great debut feature for Seagal.
3 stars, plus an extra 1 for being uncut :)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of Seagal's best. A piece of work former CIA operative turned cop gets vicious with thugs who are, oo, very nasty pieces of work. There are some great fights & good lines, great supporting work from Pam Grier and Sharon Stone.
The martial arts work is top and there is plenty of high quality B movie cheese. Great stuff & superb entertainment.
The martial arts work is top and there is plenty of high quality B movie cheese. Great stuff & superb entertainment.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I know this is an old film (1988) but last night in bed I saw it for the first time ever and I was impressed.
I wasn't execting much with it being STEVEN SEAGAL's debut but he picked a good film to make his debut with. There isn't many fights but the story is good enough to justify that. The other actors: SHARON STONE and PAM GRIER are good in this film too.
Chicago cop Nico Toscani (STEVEN SEAGAL) is onto something big. Suspects collared in a drug raid are allowed to walk free and Nico himself is asked to turn in his badge, he may be off the force - but he isn't out of action. STEVEN SEAGAL with this film is smashing his way into the top ranks of action stars as he tracks ex - CIA opratives trafficking drugs ... and plotting a political assassination.
Director ANDREW DAVIS (THE FUGITIVE) unleashes the fury all over the Windy City as Nico and partner JAX (PAM GRIER) close in on a psychotic crimelord.
I really enjoyed this film and I think I will buy more of his films (including the straight to dvd films). A good action film.
Thank you for reading my review.
I wasn't execting much with it being STEVEN SEAGAL's debut but he picked a good film to make his debut with. There isn't many fights but the story is good enough to justify that. The other actors: SHARON STONE and PAM GRIER are good in this film too.
Chicago cop Nico Toscani (STEVEN SEAGAL) is onto something big. Suspects collared in a drug raid are allowed to walk free and Nico himself is asked to turn in his badge, he may be off the force - but he isn't out of action. STEVEN SEAGAL with this film is smashing his way into the top ranks of action stars as he tracks ex - CIA opratives trafficking drugs ... and plotting a political assassination.
Director ANDREW DAVIS (THE FUGITIVE) unleashes the fury all over the Windy City as Nico and partner JAX (PAM GRIER) close in on a psychotic crimelord.
I really enjoyed this film and I think I will buy more of his films (including the straight to dvd films). A good action film.
Thank you for reading my review.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Below the hairline
Before the hair transplant, before he ate all the pies, before he went mad, and before everything was uttered in an inaudible whisper Seagal made his debut with this confusing,... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Inspector Gadget
Good action thriller
This movie was first recommended to me about 20 years ago. I enjoyed it then on VHS, watching the dvd now is as good as the first time though a better picture. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A.G.
Hmm
Great Seagal film, but the Blu ray transfer is awfully grainy, which ruins what should have been a good viewing experience.
Published 10 months ago by Inspector Gadget
Quite a debut for an actor
I think this is Steven Seagals first film and what a start it is for a new actor at the time of the late 80ties. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Stuart
martial arts man
I bought this dvd after seeing several of his newest films. I wanted to see the movie that threw this actor into the limelight. The martial arts in his later films is astounding. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Gladys L. Cotton
Above the Law
Worse seagal movie i have ever seen, not much to say other than bad acting no storyline that i could see.
Published on 9 May 2010 by Ms. Carol France
Steven Segal at his best
Couldnt wait to see this when it came out at the pictures many moons ago,what BRUCE LEE done for kung fu STEVEN SEGAL done for akido,apparently he was dating KELLY BROOK when the... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Mr. D. Edney
WARNING! DON'T BUY THE BBFC VERSION!
I am a huge fan of Seagal and after recently ordering litterally all of his old and new movies and discovered that most of them are cut to peices by the BBFC, and i do mean to... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by John Edwards
The Seagul's first flight
Full of cheese of course (with a classic, "He's just trying to do his job, stupid Chief!", suspension scene) but a very lean and trim Seagal is in fine action form and yet again he... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by Dave
You guys think you're above the law..well you ain't above mine
This is where it began with Seagal.....And to be honest i think he only managed to equal this film with Out For Jutice the rest just didn't come close.... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2009 by Gary Mckenzie
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