Above the Law

R

Released Apr 8, 1988

1 hr. 39 min.

Action

List

50%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Howard H

Good action film. Pam Greer is especially a stand-up in this film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

No one is above the law but one man is even though everyone says otherwise Steven Seagal plays a martial -arts expert/former CIA operative Nico He works as a Chicago police officer While working on a drug-trafficking operation it leads to a larger conspiracy It goes from drugs to explosives to immigration Nico and his partner Jax are soon targets of mysterious criminals yet he won't walk away He then has to confront an old adversary, a corrupt CIA operative named Zaigon The movie is actually a lot of fun; Seagal is rough tough but kinda funny Cool action scenes and some nice turns and twists Although the villain gets taken out far too easily But it isn't a complicated movie so it's very straightforward A classic 80s action flick with a protagonist that makes Seagal easy to root for One of the brighter spots in his spotty career

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

William D

This is one of Steven Seagal's best movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

So, this is where it all started, the film that gave Steven Seagal his career before he got progressively fatter and the hair plugs had set in. Having subjected myself to numerous late-career DTV efforts from the man, Above the Law is certainly a breath of fresh air, seeing Seagal actively try in a movie is insane. It definitely helps that Andrew Davis is behind the camera (later helming Seagal's best movie, Under Siege), his direction and use of the Chicago locations makes up for a lot of the script's shortcomings which contains about 50% more plot than it needs. Coupled with another banger of a David Michael Frank score benefits massively. Like Under Siege, the supporting cast more than makes for the lack of charisma that its lead star just doesn't have. You have the usual Davis staples but also Pam Grier who absolutely shines here as Seagal's partner in crime and Sharon Stone as Nico's wife. Henry Silva once again plays the villain, a villain with an incredibly improbable yet badass name, Kurt Zagon, he relishes the role but just doesn't really have that much to do nor a lot of screen time. All in all, Above the Law is not the best but it's a hilarious good time (Seagal running just floored me), slickly directed with a funky score and a good supporting cast definitely uplifts this movie. Not going to lie I could see Nico and Eddie Cusack existing within the same universe, funny since Seagal makes Chuck Norris seem like Laurence Olivier.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/18/23

Full Review

Cameron L

Nobody will be above Steven Seagal and Henry Silva's law because the whole action scenes weren't shortage of awesomeness

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/23

Full Review

Jack O

Considering that this is one of Steven Seagal's first films, many people think this movie is predictable despite that Steven being in it. I like it for what it is. It has some good fight scenes and there are most of Steven Seagal's fight scenes in the Early 90's made by Warner Bros, don't get me wrong. There is one scene that made me laugh is that after Steven fights the bad guys, he chases after the baddie and the baddie just runs from him and what makes me laugh is that Steven couldn't stop chasing him and then stops him. Now considering this a debut for Steven Seagal, I think I saw some of the photo's of where Steven was a kid and learns how to do karate. Despite how forgettable his films are, it's still enjoyable for what they're are and that is why Nico aka Above The Law is the example of Steven Seagal's debut. Oh, and, uh, he brakes all the bad guys bones so beware.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/23

Full Review

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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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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

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.

Aug 16, 2021

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 2/5

Feb 10, 2005

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

As usual in Davis films, the Chicago locations are convincing and lived-in.

Rated: B

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Fortunately for democracy, nothing can stop Nico, who looks like Sylvester Stallone poured into the mould that produced Robert Valentino.

Aug 16, 2021

Full Review

Cathy Burke

United Press International

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.

Oct 9, 2016

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Robert H. Solo
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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