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Above the Law
1988 99 min United States of America, Hong Kong R 16+
★6.0
Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Andrew Davis
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Nico Toscani is an Italian immigrant, American patriot, ex-CIA agent, aikido specialist and unorthodox Chicago policeman. He is as committed to his job as he is to his personalized brand of justice—expert and thorough bone-crushing.
Budget:
$7.5M
US Gross:
$18.87M
Worldwide:
$18.87M
Starring
Steven Seagal
Actor
Pam Grier
Actor
Henry Silva
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Above the Law serves as a defining 1988 debut that introduced Steven Seagal as a unique action star by blending police procedural elements with authentic aikido choreography. While some critics view the script as a standard or derivative genre piece, the film is widely regarded by audiences as a milestone of 80s action cinema for its realistic fight sequences and engaging political-thriller undertones.
| Originality | The film introduced a fresh, grounded approach to martial arts cinema, prioritizing realistic aikido technique over the over-the-top invincibility common in the era's action movies. | |
| Direction | Director Andrew Davis successfully creates a polished atmosphere, capturing the late-80s aesthetic through well-composed shoot-outs and a strong sense of place in Chicago. | |
| Score | The soundtrack effectively evokes the spirit of the late 1980s, grounding the film's gritty crime narrative. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some appreciate the dense, multi-layered conspiracy involving the CIA and political assassination, while others dismiss the plot as thin or unoriginal. | |
| Acting | Seagal's screen presence creates a split in reception: supporters find his stoic, authentic persona captivating for an acting debut, whereas detractors find his performance monotone and poorly executed. |