On Deadly Ground

Notorious as (presumably) the movie that made Caine almost quit showbusiness is really just a bland and unremarkable par-for-the-course actioner, with first-time (and at this stage likely only-time) helmer Seagal doing a perfectly serviceable directorial job, and frankly besting most of his directors from his 80s period. The Seagal signature moves are here: suspiciously choppy fight scenes (though pulled off with greater aplomb than normal), plenty of opportunities for glowing hero shots of its star, accompanied by “your reputation precedes you” folklore which never seems especially justified. Gives McGinley a rare chance to go truly evil and brutal (there’s a torture scene here which is quite viscerally effective), and injects Ermey late in the game to flag some of the dying energy from some of the absurd mystical elements (to say nothing of the impassioned, but cringingly self-serious environmental screed that finishes the film). Only thing missing is a mano-a-mano fight between Seagal and Caine, but otherwise the film provides adequate bang for your buck.