Wow! Such a good movie.

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

'You guys think you're above the law. Well, you ain't above mine.'The screen debut of Steven Seagal happened at the quite advanced age of 36, having previously taught aikido to affluent clients at his dojo in Los Angeles. Reportedly, it was at the instigation of one of his students, Michael Ortiz, influential Hollywood agent to stars such as Stallone and Cruise, that he put himself forward as an imposing action hero. Seagal, accordingly, selected this script from a pile the studio had set aside for Eastwood, adapting it with a backstory very much mirroring his own. As a result, the photographs which accompany the opening credits are actual pictures of Segal from his childhood, and his youth studying aikido from the masters in Japan. As director, Seagal chose Andrew Davis, who also co-wrote and produced this feature, because he had helmed the most successful film of fellow martial artist, Chuck Norris' screen career to date, three years earlier. The central character he plays here Seagal has stated was the favourite of his career, and as unconventional and principled cop, Nico Toscani, he does effect a much more reasonable stab at dramatic performance than in his later movies. Even Roger Ebert was prepared to accept, on this evidence, that 'sensitivity coexists with brutality in his make-up'. As evidence of his towering frame and physicality, when he and fellow cast-member, Daniel Faraldo (who plays the drug-boss Toscani arrests but has to see released due to his CIA contacts) joined Chicago law enforcement to prepare for their roles, the criminals they encountered were more afraid of Seagal than the police officers who accompanied them. Understandable when we witness Nico's doling out of his style of brutal justice on the low-lifes in the bar where he fails to obtain the info he needs - watch out for very quick appearance as an extra with one-line of dialogue by Michael Rooker. In terms of the character's more human side, he is portrayed as a devout husband and doting father, married to a pre-'Total Recall' Sharon Stone, and at work, a loyal partner to post-blaxploitation star, and yet-to-be rediscovered by Tarantino, Pam Grier. The film appears to struggle with it's own political conscience. Despite the fact the title is supposed to refer to the mind-set of those Nico wishes to apprehend, his eagerness to use violence and illegal wire-taps suggests that the title could equally be applied to his own questionable approach to law enforcement. Another issue surrounds the over-complexity of the plot. Not only does this deal with Toscani uncovering the involvement of CIA personnel in the drug and illegal arms trades to fund and arm black ops in Latin America, but also the prevention of an assassination attempt by the same conspirators against a US Senator. Finally, there is the tenuous associated sub- plot of Nico becoming embroiled in the protection of illegal Latino refugees. Anyone with a cruel streak would also point to the myriad of shared themes this feature has with the far more accomplished 'Lethal Weapon'. First there is the ethnic pairing of the two detectives, with one on the point of retirement and endeavouring to control the impetuosity of their partner. Secondly, there is the military background of the criminal gang with a henchman with a penchant for torture. In this case, Henry Silva, the veteran actor of Puerto Rican descent, enjoying a renaissance as the villain in mid- 80s action movies. Having also appeared in Davis' feature for Norris, Silva's soulless stare was ideal to portray the pitiless CIA interrogator and Nico's nemesis. It is a shame that the final showdown is so rushed, though apparently time enough for Silva to accidentally break Seagal's nose. By contrast, far less convincing is Chelcie Ross as Seagal's supposed former comrade-in-arms (his aged appearance in fatigues proof enough they should have employed a stand-in for the flashback sequences) and black op agent, Nelson Fox. Yet, somehow, despite a lamentable script, the feature does show glimpses of Seagal's martial arts mastery, and entertains in patches.

Andrew Davis directed Steven Seagal as Chicago cop Nico Toscani, a Vietnam veteran who was recruited by the CIA in Japan, who was then sent to Vietnam, where he objected to the harsh interrogation techniques of Zagon(played by Henry Silva) but could do nothing. 15 years later, Nico has busted a drug gang and discovered plastic explosives. He is later shocked to learn that those he arrested were released, and is stonewalled about the reasons why. After he is suspended, Nico discovers that his old Nemesis Zagon is behind it all, and must be stopped... Seagal certainly can perform well in the action scenes, though despite the good direction, this film is just too routine and predictable to work. Sharon Stone costars as his wife.

Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal) is a Chicago cop. As a young man, he went to Japan to learn martial arts. He's recruit by the CIA to go to Vietnam, but he quits when he's supposed to work with the sadistic drug smuggler Zagon. Now with his present day partner Delores Jackson (Pam Grier), his investigation into the drug dealer Salvano runs smack into a conflict with the CIA and a face from the past.This has Steven Seagal's three favorite things. There's the eastern influences that he loves so much. And also there's the drug infested underbelly that he finds fascinating. The biggest thing is that he is undoubtedly the big hero fighting against a corrupt system. If you love these three things, you'll like this movie. The action is pretty good and the story has enough bite. The pacing do slack off for big stretches of time. However it still works enough as an action thriller.

One of Steven Seagal's best Movies was this debut and it had Critics and Action Fan's buzzing for good reason. It was all here in this Cop/Mob/CIA Film that pulled few punches and was as Plot rich as these Flicks get.Bad guys can make a Movie and here we have Zagon. From the beginning he is presented as a Masochistic Psychopath that is on the Government's Black ops payroll. He is a drug dealer, needle wielding, Above the Law, Mega-Criminal that will be the Heroes biggest Fish-Fry.Segal is a lean, mean (but sensitive), and relentless purveyor of pure here and he is charismatic on screen announcing that he will be a force to reckon. This is in his Top-5 for sure with more than competent Direction from Andy Davis and the Movie looks great. The Action never stops and is helped along with a strong, if maybe too full, Script that raised the bar for the other Martial Arts/Action Stars.After this one Seagal never looked back and is still making some instantly forgettable and slightly entertaining DTV Movies to this day. Recently he showed up in a strong Cameo in the Robert Rodriguez Funfest, Machete (2010).