Above the Law

Watch Above the Law

"He's a cop who believes no one is above the law."
  • R
  • 1988
  • 1 hr 39 min
  • 6.0  (34,161)
  • 45

Above the Law is a 1988 action thriller movie directed by Andrew Davis, and it stars American martial artist and actor Steven Seagal, Pam Grier, and Henry Silva in lead roles. The movie showcases Seagal in his debut acting role as Nico Toscani, a former CIA agent turned Chicago police detective, who takes on the corrupt forces in the city after he comes across a horrifying international conspiracy.

The movie opens with a flashback into Nico's life, where he undergoes a tough training session in the CIA camp in South Vietnam. After surviving a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, Nico returns to the U.S. and continues his service as a covert agent. Years later, Nico has left the agency and joined the Chicago police department, where he works alongside his colleague and best friend, Delores 'Jax' Jackson (Pam Grier).

Their duty takes them to a suspected drug stash house, where they end up thwarting a Colombian drug cartel's attempt to ship in large amounts of drugs into the country. During the operation, Nico comes across incriminating evidence against CIA involving members of the cartel. Nico feels that the CIA has been conveniently turning a blind eye to their activities and decides to investigate further.

As Nico digs deeper into the case, he realizes that there is more to it than just drugs. When Jax gets kidnapped during the investigation, Nico realizes that he had stumbled upon a horrifying international conspiracy that involves trafficking of drugs, arms, and mercenaries in South America. Nico also discovers that at the center of this conspiracy lies his old friend, Zagon (Henry Silva), who is now working for the CIA.

Nico now must use his skills as a CIA agent, his martial arts prowess, and his knowledge of the inner workings of the agency to take down the corrupt forces in the city and save his friend.

Above the Law is Steven Seagal's first film, and he delivers an impressive martial arts performance that oozes charisma and raw energy. The movie showcases Seagal's skills as a martial artist and his prowess in handling guns and performing stunts. Pam Grier plays an equally impressive role as Jax, Nico's no-nonsense partner, and the two of them share an effortless chemistry on screen.

The movie's direction, by Andrew Davis, is tight and keeps the movie moving at a brisk pace. The action scenes are well choreographed and intense, and the movie's soundtrack is an eclectic mix of funk, soul, and rock, which adds to the movie's edgy tone.

One of the highlights of the movie is Henry Silva's performance as Zagon, the CIA agent who is at the center of the conspiracy. Silva plays the role of a ruthless villain with glee, and his scenes with Seagal are tense and explosive.

Above the Law is a movie that stands the test of time and is still relevant today. The movie's themes of corruption and power dynamics within the government are as relevant today as they were in the late 1980s. The movie's title, "Above the Law," is a reference to those who hold power and believe that they are beyond the law's reach. As Nico takes on the corrupt forces, he shows that justice can prevail even in the face of overwhelming odds.

In summary, Above the Law is a classic action thriller that is a must-watch for fans of Steven Seagal and action movies in general. The movie showcases Seagal at his best, and the direction, performances, and soundtrack make it an enjoyable ride from start to finish.

Above the Law is a 1988 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 45.

Above the Law
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Where to Watch Above the Law
Above the Law is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Above the Law for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1988
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 39 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (34,161)
  • Metascore
    45