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Half Past Dead
2002 98 min Germany, United States of America PG-13 16+
★4.3
Crime, Action, Thriller
Director: Don Michael Paul
Trailers
Description
A man goes undercover in a hi-tech prison to find out information to help prosecute those who killed his wife. While there, he stumbles onto a plot involving a death-row inmate and his $200 million stash of gold.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$15.57M
Worldwide:
$19.23M
Starring
Morris Chestnut
Actor
Steven Seagal
Actor
Matt Battaglia
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 2003
— Worst Actor
Key opinion
Half Past Dead is widely regarded as a pivotal, polarizing transition point in Steven Seagal's career that marks his shift from theatrical star to direct-to-video B-movie actor. Opinions are sharply divided between those who appreciate its slick, high-energy action aesthetic and those who condemn the film as an incoherent, clichéd, and unrealistic mess.
| Originality | The film functions as a definitive transition point marking Steven Seagal's shift from major theatrical releases to B-movie territory. | |
| Screenplay | The movie suffers from a disjointed, clichéd, and frequently nonsensical screenplay that undermines the prison thriller premise. | |
| Acting | Seagal's physical transformation and lack of vitality in later years make his once-formidable combat style appear sluggish and unconvincing. | |
| Direction | The action choreography and visual style divide viewers: some enjoy the 'Matrix-inspired' acrobatic spectacle, while others criticize the lack of realism and reliance on flashy, superficial stunts. | |
| Score | The heavy incorporation of contemporary rap-era music and urban stylistic elements creates a polarizing atmosphere that feels either trendy or incongruously forced. |