Critique: Film> Reviews.

(This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.)

Ah, Steven Seagal: The now fat, past his prime Aikido expert/invincible movie star, who critics loved to endlessly pick gripe with and fans at the very most could just about tolerate.

Seagal never actually looked anything like the trend of the typical '80s/'90s action star, which was set by the Schwarzeneggers and Stallones of the generation -- what, with his greasy pony tail, bloated figure and extravagant dress sense. Out For Justice, however, was a by-the-numbers action flick, with Seagal playing Gino Felino, a tough, incorruptible Brooklyn cop, who was out to avenge the death of his partner Bobby Lupo.

It's actually a solid little action movie in itself, which never tries to be anything more than what it is. The introduction has to be one of the most badass openings to an action film I've ever seen: Seagal spots a black PIMP beating up on a young girl and steps up to him saying "try beating up on me, motherfucker." Needless to say, the black dude ends up completely owned for all his shit talk, and the scene freezes to display in bold, red lettering: "STEVEN SEAGAL: OUT FOR JUSTICE," then ends.

The fight choreography, in general, is easily the best I've seen from a Steven Seagal film. The pool hall scene, in particular, is an absolute classic, which sees Seagal taunt, tease and beat down the entire bar of goons -- a majority of the time on his knees -- with a pool ball wrapped in a hanky. Wow.

It would be rude to talk about Out For Justice and not mention William Forsythe -- Seagal's enemy here -- as well. He plays the greasy-moustached psychopath, Richie, who goes around smoking crack and mindlessly killing anyone who crosses his path. He makes a decent mad guy.

When Seagal finally meets Richie at the end, though, he, of course, doesn't stand a chance, and is beaten senseless and eventually finished off with a corkscrew through the head. Just before this mess, there's also a brilliant moment where one of Richie's goons gets his leg fully blown off by a shotgun blast. Brutal, I must say.

Possibly the most unintentionally funny thing about the film, though, is Seagal's attempt at an Italian accent. While Seagal's beatdowns are easily the most entertaining thing here, there were long periods where it seemed like I was watching a bad remake of The Godfather. Most of the dialogue was absolutely awful, and I was forced to sit through it, waiting for the majority of the violence in the final third of the film to kick in. Thankfully, there was an '80s montage thrown in the middle of it all, backed by the Beastie Boys, which salvaged my attention and got things back on track.

Just peaking Under Siege, this has to be the best Seagal flick out there; and as far as action movies go, this is actually rather enjoyable. If you're expecting anything of great depth, you're best off staying away.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2008.