Disc Reviews
Above the Law 4K Review
Above the Law remains one of Steven Seagal’s better efforts and, despite his silly running style, remains one worth revisiting. Originally called Nico in the UK upon release (I remember, I was there), it’s been given the American title for this current release – Why stand out from any of Seagal’s other three-word title movies, huh? So now it can stand tall, or just get lost in the mix of Hard to Kill, Out for Justice and Marked for Death.
Nico (That’s our man Seagal) is a special operations veteran, Aikido slapper and shover, and now policeman in Chicago, who takes on… well, organised crime, what else? That sort of stuff. There are a ton of bad guys and henchmen, but surprisingly a lot of guys on Nico’s side too to pad out an already bloated cast. This gets thinned out over the next few films in Seagal’s career; despite being the leading man, he has a lot of the people around him competing for screen time. And it’s probably why the film has aged as well as it has, because it’s a little more complicated than the main good guy tales on an army of bad guys. Pam Grier in particular is fun as Seagal’s partner.
In terms of action, it’s all fairly low-key, again not a problem. Director Andrew Davis was coming off of one of Chuck Norris’s better efforts, Code of Silence, and Davis brings his level of attention and professionalism to the start of Seagal’s career. The two would hit it big later with Under Siege, and then Davis would hit even bigger after that with The Fugitive.
Toy Robot has put the bare essentials together here. There is a commentary from the director and supporting actor Pam Grier, who have an absolute ball talking over the film. There is also one new interview with composer David Michael Frank. There is also a fun-of-the-time interview with Seagal where you can clearly see what’s going on (or not, in this case) with the front of his hairline.
This isn’t a bad release, but you’d think even Seagal movies would get a bit more love and attention on the retrospective side of things. But in terms of the film itself, it looks just fine, and it is one of his best.
Steven Hurst
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• NEW 4K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director Andrew Davis
• NEW Audio Commentary with director Andrew Davis and actress Pam Grier
• NEW Sounds of Seagal, interview with composer David Michael Frank
• Archival interview with Steven Seagal during the promotion of Above the Law
• Theatrical Trailer (New 2K scan from the interpositive)
Above the Law is released on 9th November