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Above the Law

Play trailer Poster for Above the Law R 1988 1h 39m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A martial-arts expert and former CIA agent, Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal) is working as a Chicago cop when a relatively routine drug-trafficking investigation leads to an international conspiracy. Soon Nico and his partner, Delores "Jax" Jackson (Pam Grier), are the targets of mysterious and powerful criminals, but he refuses to back down. As Nico gets deeper into the case, he must contend with an old adversary: corrupt CIA operative Kurt Zagon (Henry Silva).
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Above the Law

Critics Reviews

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Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 08/16/2021
It's yet another variant on the theme of the rogue cop (martial arts division) who abandons his badge to clean up some dirty work in the neighbourhood. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3/4
It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers. Go to Full Review Hal Hinson Washington Post 01/01/2000
Woefully short on originality, intelligibility and anything resembling taste. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 08/31/2022
B
As usual in Davis films, the Chicago locations are convincing and lived-in. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) 08/16/2021
Fortunately for democracy, nothing can stop Nico, who looks like Sylvester Stallone poured into the mould that produced Robert Valentino. Go to Full Review Cathy Burke United Press International 10/09/2016
Above the Law has enough off-beat updates on the cops-and-robbers theme to at least make the film visually interesting most of the time. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Aug 5 Success in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $18,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Apr 12 Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são bacaninhas, como a cena do maluco sendo jogado do prédio e outros cenas de tiro, a história é mais ou menos, o elenco é bacana, só o Steve seagan ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são mais ou menos, e o filme deveria ter mais cenas de ação. See more William A @RT98866858 02/03/2025 It’s a half star phile. I wish I knew how to quit you. See more Lanfranco C @Lanfrancobz 11/23/2024 An old style action movie with a political backplot. See more Sauron A @RT69342892 08/28/2024 I really can't understand why Steven Seagull is famous.All his movies are subpar at best and this is one is really bad.The fight scenes are okay but the plot is stupid. Definitely one of the worst movies from the 80's. 2/10 See more Howard H @RT52436178 04/23/2024 Good action film. Pam Greer is especially a stand-up in this film. See more Read all reviews
Above the Law

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Cast & Crew

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Andrew Davis

Director

Steven Seagal

Nico Toscani

Pam Grier

Delores "Jacks" Jackson

Henry Silva

Kurt Zagon

Sharon Stone

Sara Toscani

Ron Dean

Detective Lukich

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Above the Law

Above the Law (1988) Above the Law (1988) (Right) Steven Seagal as Nico in "Above the Law." Above the Law (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A martial-arts expert and former CIA agent, Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal) is working as a Chicago cop when a relatively routine drug-trafficking investigation leads to an international conspiracy. Soon Nico and his partner, Delores "Jax" Jackson (Pam Grier), are the targets of mysterious and powerful criminals, but he refuses to back down. As Nico gets deeper into the case, he must contend with an old adversary: corrupt CIA operative Kurt Zagon (Henry Silva).
Director
Andrew Davis
Producer
Andrew Davis, Steven Seagal, John G. Wilson
Screenwriter
Steven Pressfield, Ronald Shusett, Andrew Davis
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
R
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 8, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.6M
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Surround
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