![Above the Law](https://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/legacy/Above-the-Law.jpg?1321588044)
Above the Law
1988
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 39m
Nico Toscani is a martial arts expert who was recruited by the CIA when he was in Japan, he would be sent to Vietnam... (imdb)
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AKA:
Nico
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Above the Law
1988
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 39m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 33.16% from 627 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(631)
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Rated 17 Jul 2011
43
17th
Acceptable compared to other Seagal films, but only because in this one he has a normal, human sized head.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
Rated 09 Jan 2023
40
11th
"Above The Law" is not particularly bad, however it never quite hits its stride. The acting and action are mediocre, the dialogues are often cringey, the plot is cliched, but worst of all the writing and editing are really murky: the film doesn't bother to establish much or to execute proper transitions, and the results feel really cramped throughout. The criticism of CIA is a welcome theme, yet the resolution remains naive and the vigilante protagonist's moral high ground is at least debatable.
Rated 09 Jan 2023
Rated 14 Aug 2007
41
26th
The only thing to compare this to is other Steven Seagal films, and sadly, there are better Steven Seagal films that this. Not even Sharon Stone can lift this one up to a reasonable level.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 08 Feb 2012
68
56th
Sharon Stone and Pam Grier? Rooker and Silva? I'm going to have rewatch this.
Rated 08 Feb 2012
Rated 14 Aug 2007
30
17th
It seemed liked they tried, so I gave this some extra points.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 26 Apr 2013
47
24th
Surprisingly serious debut from (surprisingly slim) Seagal. Also starring Pam Grier, Sharon Stone and Henry Silva. Effeciently directed by Davis but the film lacks that special something that would lift it to the ranks of better 80's action films.
Rated 26 Apr 2013
Rated 30 Dec 2009
65
65th
The best director Seagal ever worked with made his best movie. Leaner, meaner and way more serious then the rest of the bunch.
Rated 30 Dec 2009
Rated 02 Apr 2007
60
47th
Seagal's least bad film. The preachiness that would damage other films doesn't *work*, exactly, but sets this movie apart from the usual mean-spirited action garbage
Rated 02 Apr 2007
Rated 01 Dec 2008
33
42nd
Denne action-skinke startede hans lange, for lange karriere som machoguy - i denne udgave endnu frisk og passende til tiden
Rated 01 Dec 2008
Rated 22 Jan 2011
55
47th
in the 80s, this was a great watch, no?
Rated 22 Jan 2011
Rated 20 Feb 2011
5
0th
The most boring action movie I have ever seen.
Rated 20 Feb 2011
Rated 26 Feb 2012
53
18th
15 minutes before the end of the movie I was bored and waiting the thing just stop. There's few good action scenes and Seagal is vulnerable in this movie. That means that he isn't God like and he gets his ass kicked... a little. Just average shit.
Rated 26 Feb 2012
Rated 28 Nov 2013
7
57th
Above The Law is Steven Seagal's first film and my personnel favourite of his. It's by no means an action classic, but I absolutely loved it growing up. Seagal gives his first of many typecast performances, but he's great here as Nico Tasconi. Also Pam Grier is a worthy addition too but Sharon Stone is pretty useless. The aikido sequences are brilliant, the violent action sequences are lots of fun and the soundtrack is great also. Love or hate I am guilty of enjoying Seagal's early action films.
Rated 28 Nov 2013
Rated 01 Sep 2015
95
63rd
Assassination plots, CIA covert operations and tough-as-nails action all come together in Steven Seagal's debut feature film. Nico not only introduces the viewing public to Seagal's brand of charisma but also to the Japanese martial art of Aikido.
Rated 01 Sep 2015
Rated 09 Aug 2021
55
85th
If I said you can't make movies like this anymore, you might assume it was because of the knock-on effects in the collapse of retail DVD sales, but really I'm talking about movies that are critical of the CIA using actual activities they took part in. Zero Dark Thirty, releasing in theaters this fall!
Rated 09 Aug 2021
Rated 24 Mar 2022
50
34th
who could have predicted that this balding thin martial arts master would one day rule hollywood. ebert said he was the next eastwood and that’s got to be the greatest compliment Clint ever received.
Rated 24 Mar 2022
Rated 26 Sep 2023
41
17th
this is the birth of steven seagal, and it turns out he’s always been an unlikable asshole. it’s a shame the plot about uncovering cia murders and trafficking has so much acting required, because seagal is thoroughly terrible. the aikido hand to hand combat is pretty legit, and pam grier is always cool. funniest part was when an agency friend called seagal to warn him to flee his home and he just went back to sleep. woke up to an arrest warrant in his face. trash but i kinda liked it, very 80’s
Rated 26 Sep 2023
Rated 02 Nov 2023
20
0th
I really like Andrew Davis as a director. He made this film right after directing Chuck Norris in the best film he made. "The Fugitive" is a masterpiece. This film also has both Pam Grier and Henry Silva, so how can it lose? It can lost because it's got fucking Steven Seagal in it, who is one fuck of a toxic screen presence. I hate him and I hate this film. Sorry Andrew Davis.
Rated 02 Nov 2023
Rated 11 Jul 2011
13
9th
Terrible film. The action is forgettable and so are the characters. No development of Sharon Stone's character or Pam Grier's, despite the fact that they are the two most capable members of the cast. Give this one a miss.
Rated 11 Jul 2011
Rated 03 Sep 2009
80
78th
Ah! Now, here's a classic. Make no mistake, this is not a good film, but it does rank as one of my favorite "bad" movies. Especially amusing is the movie's attempt at heady political commentary by pointing out the CIA's use of war and drugs to line the pockets of politicos. Still, Segal was a fresh take on the martial arts genre, since he use of "aikido" was different from the styles of Norris, Lee, etc.
Rated 03 Sep 2009
Rated 04 Nov 2009
45
38th
better than the other seagal movies i know
Rated 04 Nov 2009
Rated 09 Mar 2008
71
62nd
Some good old 80's action, where realism and believability take a back seat to the guns, kicks and explosions.
Rated 09 Mar 2008
Rated 06 Mar 2007
80
43rd
Seagal's debut, not half bad thanks to Seagal's surprisingly good performance and convincing, unique (at the time) fight scenes (witness his shocking physical decline between this film and now). Andrew Davis' direction is crisp and lean, and Henry Silva makes for a great villain.
Rated 06 Mar 2007
Rated 13 Mar 2008
5
44th
lol
Rated 13 Mar 2008
Rated 05 Jun 2012
60
48th
Better than it has any right to be, thanks to the cringe-inducing fight scenes (in the "skateboard video blooper reel" way, not the Cannon Films way). I also liked that it had stupid political content I agree with-- it's an 80's action flick for liberals, but it's still as laughably reductionist as its norrisian counterparts. Oh, Pam Grier and Michael Rooker are in it too, so it gets a credibility bonus to its saving throw vs. suck.
Rated 05 Jun 2012
Rated 18 Nov 2008
60
31st
A modest debut for the action star. Not much going for it other than his few scenes of throwing people around. For its time I'm sure it worked much better.
Rated 18 Nov 2008
Rated 29 Jul 2011
66
18th
Semi enjoyable action movie. One of the first of seagals endless action flicks. Because of the semi decent director we get a semi decent scripted, semi decent acted,and semi decent edited movie with some memorable scenes. If in the mood for an slightly above average action movie, put this shit on.
Rated 29 Jul 2011
Rated 18 Apr 2021
60
10th
Viewed April 16, 2021.
Rated 18 Apr 2021
Rated 19 Jul 2010
60
54th
the best movie steven has ever made IMO.....
Rated 19 Jul 2010
Rated 26 Jun 2008
55
30th
An extra 5 points for the name of the main character.
Rated 26 Jun 2008
Rated 28 Sep 2011
40
11th
The acting is so bad it's funny, the fighting keeps it entertaining though.....They should change the genre to comedy :)
Rated 28 Sep 2011
Rated 14 Feb 2018
32
15th
Skinny Seagal is kind of a trip, though not as much as him being shockingly proficient in Japanese. I'm not convinced "Sayonattasou" is an actual thing Japanese people say, but he definitely picked some stuff up during his martial arts days. His fights here are quick and brutal, but much of the focus is on political intrigue, and the film is nowhere near well written enough to make it work. Grier and Ross have the best characters, but they drop the ball on both of them. 14th film of 2018.
Rated 14 Feb 2018
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