To me, this movie is perfection.

Memorable, crazy movie

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Seagal takes his skills down to Kentucky. The villains are not so menacing this time round but Kris Kristofferson & Co provide some light relief as they try their best to thwart the immovable force. It's good entertainment value, the stunts are good and there's a bouncy musical score rife with regional sounds which helps it pass the time. It has the eco-friendly trappings that Seagal was fond of by this time in his career and he favours a softer side to his persona here, but all the trademark ruthlessness is there for the fans of the aikido expert. There's good support too from Harry Dean Stanton. The film comes up short on originality and there are the usual multiple attempts of a troop of men trying to do him harm but the fun is always in seeing them lose their footing.

Fire Down Below (1997): Dir: Felix Enriguez Acala / Cast: Steven Seagal, Marg Helgenberger, Harry Dean Stanton, Kris Kristofferson, Stephen Lang: One of the dumbest films that Steven Seagal ever conjured up. He plays an agent who arrives in a coal mining town to put a stop to the toxic waste that is poisoning water. He makes a few friends as well as the expected enemies who wish not to be bothered. Boring concept followed by numerous fight scenes before concluding pretty much the same way. Director Felix Enriguez Acala is working with material that has about the same value as diarrhea. Even the production is boring. Seagal spends 90% of the film in combat where he beats up dozens of people including cops. I could only shake my head as some big lout threatens him and he beats the sh*t out him in short order as well as kicking around a bunch of his buddies. In lame supporting roles is Marg Helgenberger who clings to Seagal while he beats up her abusive brother. Harry Dean Stanton is far too valuable for this sh*t. Kris Kristofferson plays the standard villain in a role that is totally beneath him. Stephen Lang plays Helgenberger's nasty abusive brother who will end up with Seagal's foot up his ass. There is no reason to see this garbage unless one has severe anger issues that therapy cannot cure. Pointless junk that should be burned in a fire down below. Score: 0 / 10

This film was a turning point for Seagal, and all the flat character fans didn't understand it. Steven isn't only a fighting machine, he also has the heart on the right place. His concern for the environment let him make a move that placed stress upon that topic. I admire the man for that. We see a story in which all things fall on the right place, with scenes, turns and music apt to create a summit in filmmaking achievement. It is your subconscious dream of doing things right. Seagal's the man here, in every way. He's handsome, strong, just, modest, devote, charming and responsible. He kicks ass when there's need for it, but is also very gentle with children and women. He plays the guitar and sings, dances and composes, and beats some thugs in the meantime. Where do you find such fellows nowadays? He should be an example to y'all. But since you didn't get it, Seagal was disappointed and got the picture himself. "I'll have to make a living," he must've thought, "and when people only appreciate sheer action without a thought, I'll give them that." So he left the line of honest messages and went for the money. I can imagine, really, but it's a shame all the same. If people had estimated Seagals move here, it would've produced more movies of such a strong nature. But the world is ignorant, and prefers flat characters. Steven got the message, and gave the people what they wanted.

love him or hate him,you have to admit,Steven Seagal's movies pretty much follow the same tried and true formula,which basically involves Seagal ending up on someone's bad side,and then proceeding to show off his martial arts prowess by beating up everybody in sight.well not everybody.just the bad people.this movie is no different.but hey,it works.it's nothing new or original.but if you're a Seagal fan,this should quench your thirst.like his previous movie,On Deadly Ground there's an environmental theme here too.Marg Helgenbberger(CSI Las Vegas)plays the love interest and does a good job with her character.Harry dean Stanton is also very good.There are also a lot of country stars in the movie,including Kris Kristofferson,who is very impressive.there are nice fight sequences in this one.for me,Fire Down Below is a 7/10