This review is Spoiler Free!!
Starring: Steven Seagal, and Pam Grier
Director: Andrew Davis
Writer: Andrew Davis & Steven Seagal (Story); Steven Pressfield, Ronald Shusett, and Andrew Davis (Screenplay)
Rating: R
Release Date: 1988
Style: Action, Crime Drama
More information can be found on the IMDB page.
The Rise of Aikido
It is hard to deny the impact Steven Seagal had on the martial arts movie world.
When people think of Aikido, Steven Seagal’s movies are among the first things that pop into your head. He single-handedly created the pop culture reference point for anyone who does Aikido. As a movie, it changed the way we thought of martial arts movies. It created the idea that martial arts isn’t just about punching and kicking. There could be other forms of martial arts shown. Despite what has happened later in his life, Seagal was a different type of martial artist and his movies show that.
Movie Review: 2/10
The Good:
There’s not much to like movie-wise. The only really good acting is done by Pam Grier playing Jax, partner to Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal). She brings a level to realism to this otherwise overly dramatic movie.
The Bad:
The Acting – Most everyone in the movie is not at the top of their acting game, with the exception of the above-mentioned Pam Grier. Most of the parts seem to be caricatures rather than characters. Even when a young Sharon Stone plays Mrs. Toscani, she seems to a stereotype.
The Plot – The plot is overly complex for such a purposeful action movie. It seems that there are several ideas for plots that all got wrapped into one end movie.
Martial Arts Review: 9/10
The Good:
This is where the movie shines. As an Aikido practitioner, I may be biased but that still doesn’t take away from its impact. When Seagal does his Aikido, he goes in full force and throws the crap out of his students and stuntmen. He also demonstrates the ability for locks and throws to be “effective” in certain situations. I think that, even if you don’t do a throwing art, you’ll cringe at some of these throws.
The Bad:
Not much bad to say about this; overall, the martial arts in this movie are pretty good.
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Overall, the movie shows its age and budget. The acting is bad (minus Pam Grier) and the plot(s) are difficult to follow. However, the martial arts action scenes still make it watchable, though not by much. This might be one of those movies where you fast forward to the fight scenes or you’re off doing something else until the fists start flying. Still, there’s something oddly satisfying about this movie. I own it, and still watch it occasionally… at least for nostalgia’s sake.
Do you have memories or impressions about Above the Law? Share them below.
Above the Law
The Good
- Excellent example of Aikido
- Pam Grier as Jax
The Bad
- Other than Pam Grier, the acting is flat
- Plot is far too complex for the type of movie
- Writing has more caricatures than characters
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