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Steven Seagal: The DTV Years
By an Amazon.com customer
The ForeignerThe Foreigner
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.67
Some good Seagal beatdowns and lotsa stuff blowing up, but the indecypherable espionage plot will wear down some straight action enthusiasts. Everyone dies like they're trying to win an Oscar in this one--"Yaaarrrrghh! Arrrgh...ugggghhh...gasp!" Seagal turns a cd into a frisbee bomb. Not sure how or why.
Out for a KillOut for a Kill
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $0.97
Seagal plays an archeaology professor named after a famous poet (an a**kicking poet) out for vengeance against a Chinese Triad who murdered his wife. Most of the "story" is conveyed via narration, bad re-dubbing and off-screen narration. It is obvious that this one was extensively re-edited after shooting--even Seagal seems confused. Very entertaining in a colorful train-wreck kind of way.
Belly of the BeastBelly of the Beast
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $1.21
This one is so dang fun because it is so incredibly INSANE. Seagal plays an ex-CIA agent who enlists the aid of a Buddhist Monk as he goes our for vengeance against voo-doo bad guys who've kidnapped his daughter. I swear. Sloppy but very entertaining! Look for the tranny.
Out of ReachOut of Reach
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $1.96
Not wanting to repeat himself, Seagal mixes things up a bit in this one and plays an ex-CIA agent out for vengeance against bad guys who have kidnapped someone ELSE's daughter. Key scenes are missing, characters have odd "inner dialog" voiceovers, and Seagal's voice is dubbed by a guy who sounds nothing like him. Still, Seagal at least seems to knows whats going on (unlike us). Good fun!
Into the SunInto the Sun
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.94
This Tong-Yakuza gang war flick feels more like a real movie than most of Seagal's DTVs. The film starts well and the ending is slam bang, but the middle sags badly with repetative dialog scenes that feel suspiciously like filler. Seagal gives a more interested performance than usual, but seems most engages when he gets to show off his Japanese or chop off a limb.
SubmergedSubmerged
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $1.98
This is another DTV in which Seagal seems like a guest star in his own movie. This had something to do with mind-controlled soldiers on a submarine--I think. Like a Made for Sci-Fi Channel TV movie that Seagal was spliced into. Must have been one easy paycheck! On the positive side, super-hot a**-kicking chicks abound.
Today You DieToday You Die
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $1.81
Even though there are major sequences that use footage lifted from other movies and there's a supernatural subplot that goes nowhere, TYD still rocks in my book. It looks and sounds like a real movie, has a cool 70s vibe, and features Seagal in almost every scene. Seagal also displays more than one facial expression!(the film also foregoes any kidnapping and skips straight to the vengeance).
Black DawnBlack Dawn
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.99
Seagal seems like a guest star in a movie that would have made just about as much sense without him as it does with him. Many say this sequel to "The Foreigner" is superior to the original--but it's pretty much a wash. But except for one scene with the worst double of all time, this is much more coherent than many of his latter flicks. DVD includes a "making of" and a hilarious Seagal interview.
Mercenary for JusticeMercenary for Justice
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $1.98
From the same director as Today You Die, with a similar look and a similarly bada** fat old Seagal. After starting off like a war movie, M4J makes an abrupt left turn into Mission Impossible land. Has an amazing beatdown in a men's room. Oh-and he goes out for vengeance when his godson is kidnapped...and what not. DTV has an unintentionally hilarious "making of."
Shadow ManShadow Man
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.69
In this one Seagal decided to stretch his acting chops to their absolute limits by playing an ex-CIA agent out for vengeance because bad guys kidnap his daughter. A competently made thriller with a couple of exceptionally freaky bits. Worth the time for the Seagal fan.
Attack ForceAttack Force
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.28
In his book "Seagalogy" author Vern points out that this was originally a sci-fi/horror adventure, but the producers sloppily re-edited and redubbed it, taking out those elements. As a result, instead of a potentially interesting "Seagal vs Space Alien Vampires" you have one of Seagal's most incomprehensible flicks. Well over 50% of his dialog is looped by other actors.
Flight of FuryFlight of Fury
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.80
Basically a TV movie featuring a bunch of bland young hotties with Seagal walking (or flying) through a few scenes that wouldn't have been much different without him. It could have starred Eric Estrada and been basically the same flick (in fact, the same story did star Micheal Dudikoff only a few years earlier). But there are a few good moments and the story moves along at a good clip.
Urban JusticeUrban Justice
Buy new: $14.94 / Used from: $2.62
Now THIS is the cream of the Seagal DTV crop. The story is straightforward and consists of little more than Seagal's ruthless quest for vengeance for the murder of his son (and not the kidnapping of his daughter for a change). A good performance with no obvious dubbing or doubles and a good bit of emotion.
Pistol WhippedPistol Whipped
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.24
Not as tight as Urban Justice, but Seagal's character has more of a personality (one that still includes kicking plenty of a**). The female lead is miscast and there are continuity gaffes, but this is still way above average. In a world where wussyism is glorified, there really is no one else in movies like Seagal. Oh, and he plays an ex-CIA agent whose daughter gets kidnapped by the way.
Kill SwitchKill Switch
Buy new: $17.49 / Used from: $1.18
The trailer for this made it look like a worthy followup to Urban Justice/Pistol Whipped, but unfortunately the producers have yet again monkeyed with the "finished" product without Seagal's participation, resulting again in a confused plot, bad stunt doubles, obvious voice dubbing, and flashy, goofy digital editing effects. Maybe Seagal's original cut wasn't crap. But the finished product is.
Driven to KillDriven to Kill
Buy new: $21.99 / Used from: $1.27
Seagal plays Ruslan, a crime novelist and ex-member of the Russian Mob. Just before Ruslan's daughter is about to marry into the family of an old rival, both she and his ex-wife are murdered. So Ruslan...wait for it...seeks vengeance! YEAH! A solid old school action flick with none of the hilarious incompetence of Kill Switch.
Seagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven SeagalSeagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal by Vern
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $9.14
If you have taken the time to read this list, there is no reason in the world you shouldn't own this intelligent, hilarious and extensive study of everything Seagal. If the great Outlaw Vern ever needs to go out for vengeance because bad guys kidnap his daughter (or girlfriend or Mom, etc) I'm willing and able to be his fat, bald, middle aged side kick.