Above the Law

Starring:Steven Seagal, Pam Grier, Henry Silva, Ron Dean, Daniel Faraldo, Sharon Stone, Miguel Nino, Nicholas Kusenko, Joe Greco, Chelcie Ross, Gregory Alan Williams, Jack Wallace, Metta Davis, Joseph F. Kosala, Ronnie Barron, Joe D. Lauck, Henry Godinez, Danny Goldring, Thalmus Rasulala, Gene Barge
Director: Andrew Davis
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Description

(Martial Arts/Action) A tough-as-nails police inspector (Rothrock) tracks a vigilante killer and discovers a massive, deadly conspiracy.

Customer Reviews:

Fun movie but I must admit I'm disappointed.......2007-06-06

I just got that new Dragon Dynasty version of the film, though I'd never seen it before last night. Haven't watched any of the extras yet, though from what I've read elsewhere this is the "downbeat" Cantonese cut of the film. I must admit I'm disappointed in the film, though can still justify a decent score. I really liked Yuen Biao as well as the lead villain. I just realized that Bad Egg was played by the director, haha. The film had some big laughs, perhaps occasionally unintentional, but also some great action.

There were a lot of problems with the editing and stunt-work though. I know they make these movies fast and for not much money, but this one seemed cut together more carelessly than most. Also, despite how talented all the stunt people and the leads are in the film's action scenes, there were way too many moments where I saw wires or could clearly see the faces of stunt-doubles. Especially for Rothrock. Sometimes they'd put makeup on the guy. And one of the doubles for her looked like Biao himself. I know you can never be perfect with such things, but it was just much more obvious than in many other films of the genre that I've seen.

On sort of a side note, you ever notice the ramp effect with vehicles in action movies? The most common example would be of a speedboat hitting the low end of another boat and rocketing through the air. You occasionally see this with cars too. Here in Above the Law a.k.a. Righting Wrongs, you see it with a car chasing down Yuen Biao going off of a parked car. Of course the car is in front of a railing up high on a multi-level parking garage. And I don't know my models but it's probably a Mitsubishi since they made it into EVERY Hong Kong action movie in the 80s. But the parked car wasn't particularly low to the ground. The moving car didn't hit any objects to lift it's front end up. It just jumps the other like a ramp. I don't know if this is really a complaint. It was odd, but hysterical.

If we're talking recommendations and I have to exclude anything with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, or Jet Li, I'd recommend any of the first four In the Line of Duty movies over this. But it's still a decent action movie and any fan of Yuen Biao in particular really needs to see it.

Good movie, great special features.......2007-06-06

Yuen Biao stars as a vigilante defense attorney. When all of his witnesses are killed, he looks to take matters into his own hands. Cynthia Rothrock stars a mahjong playing, kung fu fighting policewoman, and Melvin Wong stars as the dirty police chief. The story has many illogical things happening, but if you have seen a lot of Hong Kong films, you know they do whatever they have to do to move onto the next fight scene. Fan Siu Wong has a great role as a young punk. He doesn't get to do any action, but it is pretty hard to believe that this is the same kid who only 5 years later would attain a physique that even Bruce Lee would have marveled at. So to sum the movie up briefly, Biao and Rothrock finally figure out Melvin Wong is the bad guy, and it all leads to a spectacular finish.

The story is not bad, but the action is definitely the best thing about this movie. Yuen Biao gives one of his very best physical performances, and Rothrock has a few nice fights including one of the better woman on woman fights of all time against Karen Sheperd. I always love to see the chain rope in action, and Karen Sheperd seems to be very skilled using it. Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham plays an assassin and has my favorite fight of the movie against Biao. They don't pull any punches and it is very intense. The final fight is good, but then there is a thrilling chase sequence that I was not expecting at all. Don't give up on this movie half way through if you don't like it, the last 30 minutes are worth a watch for any fan of action cinema.

3.5/5

Picture and sound quality are VERY good, and big thanks to Dragon Dynasty for including the original Cantonese mono track.

Special features are as good as it gets. The alternate ending is interesting, the commentary from Bey Logan is filled with good information, and the interviews are worth the price of the DVD alone. 18 minutes with Peter Cunningham, 17 with Yuen Biao, and 13 with Rothrock. All the interviews are so good, I can't name a favorite. There is no way I could go over all the great things that are brought up, but here is a small taste of Rothrock's interview- "Yuen Kwai (the director) was a lot tougher on me than Sammo Hung. I would tell him I don't think I can do this and he would say yes you can, practice here for 2 hours."

Spectacular Fight Scenes Make this Flick Excel at the Genre.......2007-05-31

This movie, directed by Corey Yuen, the master of developing "fun" fight scenes. The movie stars a younger Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, Karen Sheppard, Pete Cunningham just to name a few. The plot, predictable, the dialogue whether in English or Cantonese, is often obvious and not very clever; but, this movie, judged on its own terms excel where many of this genre fails. There is a plot and the fighting is always in relation to it.

And, it is here, in the fight scenes that one can indulge in martial mayhem! This is a young Rothrock and she is at some of her best (actually, her Hong Kong films far surpass any of her American work). The fight scene with Karen Sheppard is just fantastic! There is so litle work of Sheppard on film, that this makes the movie even more of a treat. Of course, Biao is great and one will enjoy his fight scene against Pete Cunningham.

These fights are great and fun and Rothrock and Biao fans will you it.

Average customer rating:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble...
no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie
Back when Seagal was really making movies
Seagal at his best
Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt

Above the Law
Starring: Steven Seagal , Pam Grier , Henry Silva , Ron Dean , and Daniel Faraldo
Director: Andrew Davis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Out for Justice
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Marked for Death
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Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

ASIN: 6304779089
Release Date: 1998-01-28

Amazon.com

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 awfully good. Costars Pam Grier and Sharon Stone give a big assist in that department, too, 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." The DVD release includes full-screen and widescreen presentations, production notes, trailers, optional Spanish soundtrack and optional French and Spanish subtitles. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble..........2006-12-17

Born in Palermo, Sicily and raised in Chicago, Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal) is a martial arts hero in serious trouble...

When his eyes are about to be opened, he is recruited into the CIA by a crazy drunk guy named Nelson Fox...

Toscani holds the record for having more relatives under federal indictment than any other cop in the city... He hates the cocaine lawyers and the bad weather, but he is a loving husband and a caring father with no sins to confess...

Nico is a narcotics cop who can't swallow his pride... He smashes crack dealers' faces into their cocaine mirrors, and wiretaps bad guys' phones without asking for permission... He assaults his opponents in bars and starts putting them in orbit... Nico wants to be number one on the most wanted list...

Toscani makes a big drug bust, and discovers some plans to kill a senator who can't be bought out... He stands against a psychopathic leader who have used his 'little beauties' many times to extract information...

'Above the Law' is the first Steven Seagal movie which reveals the chilling truth about a powerful institution always political, largely ineffective and frequently corrupt...

no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie.......2006-06-27

andrew davis(the fugitive,under siege) directs steven seagal's first movie with great gusto and keeps everything moving so fast that any plot holes are just steamrolled over and leaves us with seagal's best movie after under siege which was also made by davis.
seagal is an ex-c.i.a. agent now a chicago cop who stumbles onto a group of ex-c.i.a. men running drugs and killing anyone who gets in their way.
seagal isn't a great actor but he co-wrote the screenplay so it doesn't give him anything he can't handle,and the action is very well done. so if you lake action this is a good one to watch!! check it out!!!!!!!

Back when Seagal was really making movies.......2006-01-19

A chicago cop [Steven Seagal, In his film debut] fights to shut down a drug ring. This, Which is Steven Seagal's first film, Remains one of his very best efforts to date. The film has plenty of good action, A good plot, And it never gets boring and you never get tired of watching. Seagal is backed up by a good supporting cast which includes Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, and Henry Silva. Rent this movie and just kick back and enjoy the action... Have a blessed day, Peace.

Seagal at his best.......2005-12-26

Steven Seagal could very well be the messiah of brutality and pain. If you like watching Seagal absolutely destroy random guys, and you enjoy his classy one-liners, Above the Law is an excellent choice. There is nothing wrong with this movie. Seagal is so ridiculously amazing - this debut may be his finest.

Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt.......2005-09-15

Steven Seagal's first movie, and many may still argue his best. I don't know why, but I got on a Seagal review kick tonight, and well, this movie started it all. I'm not much into sophist conspiracy theories (preachy plot), but the action is great and although light on Aikido action, it was the first time in a major motion picture that these skills were brilliantly portrayed. Andrew Davis handles silly dialogue well and keeps the pace going.

Strong performances abound from Pam Greir and Henry Silva. But Seagal is the star in his debut and for the next four years, riding on the coattails of this movie, he becomes a bankable star, only to blow it by gaining a lot of weight and making substandard movies (his directing disaster is "On Deadly Ground", a stupid movie that would later prove he shouldn't direct movies or write scripts).

Average customer rating:

Steven Seagal nostalgia

Above the Law/Hard to Kill
Starring: Steven Seagal , Pam Grier , Henry Silva , Ron Dean , and Daniel Faraldo
Director: Andrew Davis , and Bruce Malmuth
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Marked for Death
Out for Justice
Under Siege
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
The Glimmer Man

ASIN: B0009UZG2S
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

His smash-'n'-bash screen debut! Steven Seagal shows he's an action hero to reckon with in Above the Law. He plays Nico Toscani, a tough-as-nails Chicago cop who, bounced from the force, dares to fight drug-runners and other lowlifes on their own lethal terms. Andrew Davis (The Fugitive) directs. Hard to Kill, the second film of Seagal's career, is hard to beat, a volatile tale of a gunned-down L.A. detective Mason Storm, who awakens from a coma determined to find his would-be killers. As Storm, Seagal unleashes a fury of revenge - and combines cutting down bad guys with cuttingly funny one-liners!

Customer Reviews:

Steven Seagal nostalgia.......2005-12-07

This DVD set contains the first two Steven Seagal movies. The first movie (Above the Law) was a formulaic maverick-cop-vs-powerful-baddies story with somewhat slow pacing, but it introduced the audience to a new kind of action hero (Dirty Harry + Bruce Lee) that turned Seagal from a martial arts instructor into a big-time movie star. Seagal's brutal yet stylish fighting technique is a marvel to watch, although there were only a few fighting sequences in this movie. The second movie (Hard to Kill) was more exciting with wall-to-wall action that more fully utilized Seagal's fighting skills. Here Seagal plays a cop who recovers from a coma to avenge the killing of his family. These two movies were not Seagal's best, but they are good action flicks worth owning for nostalgia. (Seagal's best movies are Under Siege 1 and 2.)

There are two DVDs in this set, one for each movie. Each DVD is two-sided, with one side containing a full-screen version of the movie while the other side containing an anamorphic wide-screen version.

Average customer rating:

Seagal's first 2

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Out for Justice
Marked for Death
Under Siege
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Fire Down Below/Out for Justice/On Deadly Ground

ASIN: B000E0WJLE
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

Customer Reviews:

Seagal's first 2.......2007-06-12

ABOVE THE LAW and HARD TO KILL were Steven Seagal's first two movies. After being discovered by a Hollywood director teaching martial arts in California, Seagal wrote and starred the leading role in ABOVE THE LAW. He plays a cop in Chicago who used to be a C.I.A. operative. While making a routine bust he stumbles upon an elaborate, sinister plot that is driven by some old enemies he made while he was a "company" man.

HARD TO KILL details the story of a cop who is thought to have died after being gunned down by a bunch of hoodlums. In reality, he is in a coma for several years. He is lucky enough to have Kelly Lebrock (sigh) as his nurse.

The cop has a secret that he takes with him to his coma. When he comes out of it, he threatens the career and liberty of the politician who sent the hoodlums after him. He invokes acupuncture on his "get well soon" plan as he doesn't have time to be laid up!

Both of these films are quite good. The 3rd Seagal feature, MARKED FOR DEATH was a good action flick as well. After that, his movies were hit & miss (his most big-budget & best movie being UNDER SIEGE). Sadly, he mostly makes just "B" movies these days. In any case, these two films launched a successful career of one of the bigger action stars of the past 30 years.

Average customer rating:

"Even if he was my own son, I'd still have to execute him"
Lo Leigh on the Hunt.

Killer from Above
Starring: Lau Lap Cho , Chi Sang Wong , Fei Lung , Carter Wong , and O'Yau-man
Director: Joe Law
Manufacturer: Tai Seng Video Marketing
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Shaolin Traitorous
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ASIN: B0000507P1
Release Date: 2000-12-05

Customer Reviews:

"Even if he was my own son, I'd still have to execute him".......2007-02-04

Lo Lieh leads an all star cast in this old school classic. When I say an all star cast I mean one of the best casts ever for an independent kung fu production.

The story is set in my favorite kind of atmosphere, the martial world. Unlike most wuxia movies, this film is mainly grounded and there is no flying around except for the occasional super jump.

Lo Lieh is the killer from above and is looking to take down every good fighter around so that he can reign as # 1. He has other purposes but killing people is all that matters at the beginning of these movies. It starts out like a lot of films set in the martial world where the main character is seen taking out many fighters. Wilson Tong, Robert Tai, and Wong Chi-Sang all have cameos in the first five minutes alone. A Shaolin abbot calls many people together to discuss how to hunt the predator, kill the killer. Carter Wong is there looking as tough as ever and just looking at him will give you shivers because of how threatening he seems. So he sends his assistant played by the great Lung Fei to let all people know that he has just put a bounty on Lo Lieh. Next we meet Chang Yi, one of the most majestic figures ever to hit the kung fu screen. He seems to be trying to rob Shaw Brothers actress Wong Ping and Lo lieh steps in to save the day. The next big star that we meet is Cliff Lok who you will know from all kinds of old school movies like 'Ring of Death' and 'Best of Shaolin Kung Fu'. Lok comes in and lights up the screen. For sure one of his better performances even if it is brief. After we get some plot out of the way that involves cool stuff like secret tunnels in dungeons, we finally get to see the tournament that they are talking about all movie. Don't expect 'Master of the Flying Guillotine' greatness but it is a great chance for Carter Wong to show off. The end of the movie is satisfying. I always enjoy it when they save the best fight scene for last.

The movie is full of deception and double crossing and it plays in perfectly to Lo Lieh's kind heart and the series of events his character goes through keeps the movie moving along at a nice pace. The story is a little bit better than average but there is plenty of good comedy from 2 bumbling idiots and the acting is GUARANTEED not to dissapoint. You can see I was not lying when I said it has an all star cast and Carter Wong is just so mean looking I have to recommend this movie to any old school fan. He was always good as a villian.

The fighting isn't the best you will ever see but it is far above average, especially for 1977. There are a couple times they use slow-mo and it only hurts the impact of the scene but they only do it a few times. All in all, if you want to see quality fights with Lo Lieh, Carter Wong, and Cliff Lok, this is worth a watch.

Directed by Joe Law who was a decent kung fu film maker, he just never did anything truly great. This movie gets a solid 4/5. His best work.

From Tai Seng's Martial Arts Theater line-up the movie is full screened with bad but watchable picture quality and I literally had to turn the sound up ALL of the way to hear it. Luckily level 100 on my TV was just loud enough so I could at least hear every word spoken. English dubbing is not bad but nothing great.

Lo Leigh on the Hunt........2001-04-24

Lo Leigh stars as a renagade fighter, out for blood. On a mission to take out all bad doer's and bring back honor to his country. With the skills of the Buddhist fist, he battles it out with the likes of Carter Wong, and a hand full of other talented fighters in hopes of saving his country. Good story, Good fight sequences, and ofcourse Lo Leigh

Average customer rating:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble...
no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie
Back when Seagal was really making movies
Seagal at his best
Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt

Above the Law [Region 2]
Starring: Steven Seagal , Pam Grier , Henry Silva , Ron Dean , and Daniel Faraldo
Director: Andrew Davis
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Out for Justice
Hard to Kill
Marked for Death
Under Siege
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

ASIN: B00004RYML

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble..........2006-12-17

no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie.......2006-06-27

Back when Seagal was really making movies.......2006-01-19

Seagal at his best.......2005-12-26

Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt.......2005-09-15

Average customer rating:

Great BBQ tips that'll liven up any get-together (movie's not bad, too)

Above The Law (With BBQ Book)
Starring: Gene Barge , Ronnie Barron , Anthony Cannata , Lee de Broux , and Ron Dean
Director: Andrew Davis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000EWBKOE
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Description

Steven Seagal's film debut features him as a Chicago cop battling corruption with martial arts.

Customer Reviews:

Great BBQ tips that'll liven up any get-together (movie's not bad, too).......2006-09-19

The barbecue tips included in this book have helped me enormously. My wife is constantly asking that I make BBQ for dinner now, and when we have family reunions, everybody's asking for a recipe. I don't consider myself a master chef, and before I read this book, my BBQ was nothing to write home about. But now I'm making platters that satisfy even the most demanding appetites. I can barbecue chicken, I can barbecue pork, I can barbecue ribs, I can barbecue beef. I even tried barbecuing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich once; didn't turn out as well as I'd predicted. But I digress - this book is excellent for amateurs and veterans alike to improve their BBQ.

Also, there's a Steven Seagal movie here. It's okay. DVD got scratched when we moved, so I haven't seen it more than once.

Average customer rating:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble...
no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie
Back when Seagal was really making movies
Seagal at his best
Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt

Above the Law [Region 2]
Starring: Steven Seagal , Pam Grier , Henry Silva , Ron Dean , and Daniel Faraldo
Director: Andrew Davis
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Out for Justice
Hard to Kill
Marked for Death
Under Siege
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

ASIN: B00004CYFG

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Seagal is a martial arts hero in serious trouble..........2006-12-17

no one is above seagal's law in this,his first movie.......2006-06-27

Back when Seagal was really making movies.......2006-01-19

Seagal at his best.......2005-12-26

Political Intrigue, CIA Ties, and Aikido Master on the Hunt.......2005-09-15

Average customer rating:

Above The Law (With Golf Book)
Starring: Gene Barge , Ronnie Barron , Anthony Cannata , Lee de Broux , and Ron Dean
Director: Andrew Davis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000EWBKOY
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Description

Steven Seagal's film debut features him as a Chicago cop battling corruption with martial arts.

Average customer rating:

Above the Law [Region 2]
Starring: Steven Seagal , Pam Grier , Henry Silva , Ron Dean , and Daniel Faraldo
Director: Andrew Davis
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VYLK

DVD:

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