OUT OF REACH review!(Contain Spoilers)

[Mason]

Note:
There might be some gramatic errors.

I heated up some pasta & meatsauce & kicked back in my chair..


The movie opens with some shots of Billy Ray Williams (Seagal) taking a stroll through the forrest. He then finds a injured bird... he picks it up, tends to it & brings it back to his house. On his way home we hear the voice of his penpall reading a letter she wrote to him,saying that she apreciates that he rememberd her birthday.

A few minutes later we cut to Billy in a cafe. While sitting in the cafe Billy gets an unexpected visitor. They talk for a few minutes then Billy leaves.

Billy returns to his house in the forrest,packs a few things & is on his way out when he is surprised by 6 men + his visitor from the cafe. The men wants Billy to come along peacefully. At first Billy agrees,but then he resist & well... guess what happens then... hehe. He manhandles 6 of the men & dissapears into the forrest.

The next shot of Billy is him standing in front of a mirror & weighing the whole situation. He has then, in the meentime, recived a letter from his penpall telling him that she cant stay in contact with him anymore. Billy smells fawl play & books a planeticket.. The rest of the movie I will leave for ya guys to see.


FIGHTSCENES:
(There are 3 hand to hand fightscenes in the film).

1.The first one is in Billy's house,as you allready know. He manhandles 6 men with his Aikido stuff & then dissapears into the forrest.


2.Billy is on his way out of his hotelroom when he sees two men in the hall aproching his door. They kick in the door, hets to the bathroom & shoot it up.. then they proceeds into the livingroom were they get thier asses kicked by Billy, who throws one of them out of a window.


3.Billy & his female partner,enters a house & finds a corpes. They are then shot at & Billy slaps & throws the guy around a little before he rips his mask of & throws him across the room. The assasin escapes & Billy is left alone with a wounded partner.


4.Billy & the villan starts with a little handslapping & then proceeds out into a courtyard were they start a swordfight.


The fightscenes in the film is actually verry well done except for that swordfight,which I simply could have done without & replaced it with a good brutal hand to hand combat! Seagal's Aikido is still a great pleasure to watch.. he hasn't lost that mutch of his quick reflexes. He is still fast enough to kick some serious butt & defend himself.


THE MOVIE ITSELF:

The movie is actually verry intertaining,I got a feeling that the old Seagal is back again, and with "INTO THE SUN" coming up, I'm even more excited for his career. I enjoyed Out OF REACH more than Seagals last 4 films. HALF PAST DEAD was actually as good as OUT OF REACH, when I come to think of it. The only thing I cant stand is when they replace his voice with another actor.. it is totaly lame, his voice is one of his trademarks.

[tora]

Ummmmmmmmmm
Now now,the guy who was moaning about the trailer not coming out is boasting now of the movie he has suddenly laid his hands on...:rolleyes:
As far as I know it ain't July 20 yet...but boy you're real quick :D
Thanks for the review though I still prefer not to read any until I see it myself.

[Mason]

I got my hands on a screener as you might know from one of my other threads. The images I posted, in the other thread is actually not as good quality as the movie file I recived.

[tora]

Well,now I have to go find that thread.I've been gone for 2 days and things ain't actually moving that slow.Perhaps it was me slowing down the process?:rolleyes:

[suziwong]

THE MOVIE ITSELF:

The movie is actually verry intertaining,I got a feeling that the old Seagal is back again, and with "INTO THE SUN" coming up, I'm even more excited for his career. I enjoyed Out OF REACH more than Seagals last 4 films. HALF PAST DEAD was actually as good as OUT OF REACH, when I come to think of it. The only thing I cant stand is when they replace his voice with another actor.. it is totaly lame, his voice is one of his trademarks.

Finally you enjoyed and it is not a bad movie !! OK !! That's enough for us !!!
thank you very much Mason !!

blessing

[Mason]

Here are these images, Tora...

http://home20.inet.tele.dk/jetli/StevenSeagal/image/snapshot1.jpg

http://home20.inet.tele.dk/jetli/StevenSeagal/image/snapshot2.jpg

[tora]

There is darkness,there is...:D

[suziwong]

Thank you for the images. I am not interest with Matt Schultz or the others !! Steven looks nice here and I liked him with black suit case !!

[Mama San]

Good job, Mason!!
Thank you very much!!
God bless,
Mama san

[Clement3000]

Great Job, Great Review, Great Movie. Thank you very much for the review Mason, I am so happy you liked the movie. Can't wait to see the movie now. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Amos Stevens]

Thanks Mason for the review

[aikidonna]

Thanks Mason, it sounds like it's going to be a good one!!!:D
Take care
Donna

[Jalu]

Thanks Mason...sounds interesting.

[bigdw132002]

Other than the dubbing of someone other than seagals voice in almost half of the movie it was ok. I just hope they fix that before its dvd release because alot of you will be very upset!!!!!!!!! It make you fell like you are watching a joke. Any questions on the movie fell free to ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reservoir Dog]

Did you find the film to be better than those directed by Oblowitz (OFAK, The Foreigner)?

Thanks.

[bigdw132002]

yes because the story made better since than both oblowitz films, by the way you will love the sword fight in out of reach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Serena]

Glad you enjoyed it, bigdw. Thanks for letting us know.

My question to you: Did you like Belly of the Beast? If so, did you think this was better than that, not as good as that, or about the same? Thanks. :)

[Jalu]

Thanks bigdw

I can't wait to see it....

[bigdw132002]

Glad you enjoyed it, bigdw. Thanks for letting us know.

My question to you: Did you like Belly of the Beast? If so, did you think this was better than that, not as good as that, or about the same? Thanks. :)



I would say I like just as much as belly of the beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Serena]

I would say I like just as much as belly of the beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great!!! Because I really liked Belly of the Beast, especially after Out for a Kill. I rather liked The Foreigner, though I don't think most people did.

Very good to hear! Thanks for responding. :)
Now I'm REALLY looking forward to it! :D

[Clement3000]

I think the quality of this film was much better than Belly of the Beast. However the fight scenes in Belly of the beast where better. This movie didn't contain any student doubles and Steven definatly performed all his own stunts and martial arts. The only really big problem with this movie was the voice overs. It was so much worse than any of his previous movies. It seemed like they even used differnt voice actors each time. But regardless of that, this movie was really really good. In my opinion this movie is better than The Foreigner, Out for a kill, Half Past Dead, and Ticker. But I enjoyed Out of Reach and Belly of the Beast equally for differnt reasons.

[Lotussan]

Wow, this is so exciting...
You say it is even better than belly, hmmm...
Does he have any romantic scenes?
Probably not, huh?
I guess there is a sword scene, so that's exciting...
I just don't understand the dubbing...:(
Oh well, there must be a reason...
Can't wait to see this...
No doubles at all?
Amazing...
But then again, to me he is very amazing...
Wonder why Vern gave it such a bad review?
Kinda makes you wonder...

THANKS....

[Clement3000]

Hey Lotussan,

I'd say the production values of the movie are much better than Belly of the Beast. There wasn't as many fight scenes in Out of Reach as in Belly of the Beast. But all the fight scenes where definatly done by Steven, no stunt double, if there is a double, I have no idea where... No romantic scenes unfortunatly Lotussan... If we are lucky maybe "Into the Sun" will have one romantic scene or maybe a couple, lol.

:D Clement :D


Wow, this is so exciting...
You say it is even better than belly, hmmm...
Does he have any romantic scenes?
Probably not, huh?
I guess there is a sword scene, so that's exciting...
I just don't understand the dubbing...:(
Oh well, there must be a reason...
Can't wait to see this...
No doubles at all?
Amazing...
But then again, to me he is very amazing...
Wonder why Vern gave it such a bad review?
Kinda makes you wonder...

THANKS....

[suziwong]

Thank you very much big !!!

[rastafari]

into the sun will have no voice overs as warner brothers will make seagal stay after post production

[ORANGATUANG]

Thanks for the info..Now i will just wait and see for myself he dont dissapoint me in his movies very often...

[ZenLateralus]

Well, I'm excited to hear that this movie is actually good because another review said it was not. Though, I'm not sure how I'll feel about it if the movie is good but the voice over thing is as bad as you say.

[yudansha]

It's good to hear you guys are liking the movie ... it just makes me want to see it so much more.

[Lotussan]

Thanks, Clement! Sounds great, I can't wait to see it...
Rastafari, I am anticipating into the sun very much, too...
But I guess it will be a long LONG time before we see that one...

[Littledragon]

Note:
There might be some gramatic errors.

I heated up some pasta & meatsauce & kicked back in my chair..


The movie opens with some shots of Billy Ray Williams (Seagal) taking a stroll through the forrest. He then finds a injured bird... he picks it up, tends to it & brings it back to his house. On his way home we hear the voice of his penpall reading a letter she wrote to him,saying that she apreciates that he rememberd her birthday.

A few minutes later we cut to Billy in a cafe. While sitting in the cafe Billy gets an unexpected visitor. They talk for a few minutes then Billy leaves.

Billy returns to his house in the forrest,packs a few things & is on his way out when he is surprised by 6 men + his visitor from the cafe. The men wants Billy to come along peacefully. At first Billy agrees,but then he resist & well... guess what happens then... hehe. He manhandles 6 of the men & dissapears into the forrest.

The next shot of Billy is him standing in front of a mirror & weighing the whole situation. He has then, in the meentime, recived a letter from his penpall telling him that she cant stay in contact with him anymore. Billy smells fawl play & books a planeticket.. The rest of the movie I will leave for ya guys to see.


FIGHTSCENES:
(There are 3 hand to hand fightscenes in the film).

1.The first one is in Billy's house,as you allready know. He manhandles 6 men with his Aikido stuff & then dissapears into the forrest.


2.Billy is on his way out of his hotelroom when he sees two men in the hall aproching his door. They kick in the door, hets to the bathroom & shoot it up.. then they proceeds into the livingroom were they get thier asses kicked by Billy, who throws one of them out of a window.


3.Billy & his female partner,enters a house & finds a corpes. They are then shot at & Billy slaps & throws the guy around a little before he rips his mask of & throws him across the room. The assasin escapes & Billy is left alone with a wounded partner.


4.Billy & the villan starts with a little handslapping & then proceeds out into a courtyard were they start a swordfight.


The fightscenes in the film is actually verry well done except for that swordfight,which I simply could have done without & replaced it with a good brutal hand to hand combat! Seagal's Aikido is still a great pleasure to watch.. he hasn't lost that mutch of his quick reflexes. He is still fast enough to kick some serious butt & defend himself.


THE MOVIE ITSELF:

The movie is actually verry intertaining,I got a feeling that the old Seagal is back again, and with "INTO THE SUN" coming up, I'm even more excited for his career. I enjoyed Out OF REACH more than Seagals last 4 films. HALF PAST DEAD was actually as good as OUT OF REACH, when I come to think of it. The only thing I cant stand is when they replace his voice with another actor.. it is totaly lame, his voice is one of his trademarks.


Very cool I can't wait to see it, when will it be released again??

[Serena]

Very cool I can't wait to see it, when will it be released again??

July 20th.

This whole section is on the front page for quick reference. ;)
As of May 20th, 2004:

April to May - Into the Sun (filming)

May 21 - Clementine (release) (Korean film, not known if there will be an international release of this film)

July 20th - Out of Reach (release date) (pre-order available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com)

August 23rd - Out of Reach (UK release date) (pre-order available on www.play.com)

Fall (date unknown) - The Onion Movie (release date)

2005

Early 2005 - Mercenary (filming) and Submerged (filming) (source: Family Room Entertainment forward looking statement)

Other information about Steven's films:

Seagal films going straight to DVD:

Out Of Reach DVD-July 20th
Unleashed-this project has been shelved
Mercenary DVD-not started filming yet
Submerged DVD-not started yet

Seagal film to go to theatrical:

Into The Sun on the big screen-date unknown

(list provided by Justice808)

[Littledragon]

July 20th.

This whole section is on the front page for quick reference. ;)


Ok thank you! I can't wait to see them ;)

[tora]

Geez...is that a Russian black market affiliate working overseas?

[TOF1977]

I can't wait to get that movie, I pre-order it. Counting down the days until 7/20.

I love his pony tails, the way he fights! boy do I love that man lol. even though I am about 26 years younger than him lol.

[tora]

I can't wait to get that movie, I pre-order it. Counting down the days until 7/20.

I love his pony tails, the way he fights! boy do I love that man lol. even though I am about 26 years younger than him lol.

Lol...What is that supposed to mean,eh?Welcome to the "Steven We Love You" section :D

[Rodrigo]

Fall (date unknown) - The Onion Movie (release date)


Is that a Seagal one ??? What's it about ?? Any information ??

thanks

[suziwong]

Fall (date unknown) - The Onion Movie (release date)


Is that a Seagal one ??? What's it about ?? Any information ??

thanks

This is comedie film and I guess Seagal is playing some of the part. But I don't know alot of information Rodrigo.

[Rodrigo]

Suzi, thanks !!! Did you get my email ?? Let me know !!! :)

miss you !!

[Reservoir Dog]

But I hope it is good, and I hope Seagal receives some attention for his role.

[ZenLateralus]

Thought you got rid of me didn't you??? Well, I have my reasons for why I haven't been around as much as I was when I first started posting. Anyway, here is a review for Out of Reach that I found on Amazon.com. Sounds to me Out of Reach will join my top least favorite of Seagal (Geeze, there was a time I would have never even thought of having a least favorite) after I see it. Hopefully the one that's going to theaters will be good. Well, enough of my babbling, here you go:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++

3 STARS out of 5 - Seagal, Seagal, ... Seagal!!, July 9, 2004
Reviewer: Vlitch Godunov from Birmingham, MI United States

Is it me or does there seem to be a glut of Steven Seagal straight-to-DVD movies these days? I mean, we've had 'The Foreigner,' 'Belly of the Beast' and now the latest Polish-adventure installment, 'Out of Reach.' And as much of a 'fan' of Seagal's work as anyone can actually be, I have become accustomed to his fantasy, never-say-die screen persona in much the same way you grow used to the scars left by your youthful bout of chicken pox! Seagal's work is plot motivated for sure, the script worded a little too chessily for most tastes, the acts linked thinly at the best of times, but they are still good, honest, fun movies to sit back and crack a cold one to. In 'Out of Touch,' Seagal plays William (Billy) Lancing, a former covert agent turned survivalist who is thrown into his old line of work when he discovers that the foster program he is using to help a young girl is actually a human trafficking network. Sure, we've heard it all before, but it's the way that Seagal does his slow-mo karate moves on all the gun-totting assassins that makes it worth your hard earned dollars this time around! And, as I said before, this is set in Poland once again which is where last years 'The Foreigner' was set and trust me, his look is no different in either one! So, our man Seagal must have a two-for-the-price-of-one movie deal going on back a couple of years ago! Smart cookie! Oh yeah, of course there are fatal flaws in this film (in all his films!) - such as his supposed voice over which obviously is not his but is actually his arch enemy in the movie for some reason doing HIS dialogue! - but who cares anymore?! He sure doesn't so why should we? As stated, this is Seagal at his 'best' and so deserves to be rented or purchased as soon as possible!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++

By the way, one week until Out of Reach is released and no trailer. I'd stop if you're still waiting if I were you. Check everyone later, sure I'm not that missed.

[TDWoj]

Thanks for posting the review, Zen.

I noticed you've been absent, but I hadn't realised it was a voluntary absence. I don't know what's happened that's caused you to stay away, but I hope it doesn't last long. We miss you!

[ORANGATUANG]

Well i will be getting it when it comes out here in (September) i hope...Thanks for the info..

[TDWoj]

I can't quite make out from the review whether the guy liked it or not - there's so much sarcasm in it, one could take it either way.

I'm not happy about the dubbing - clearly, this is going to be an ongoing issue until Steven decides to become fully involved in his films again.

[Serena]

Thanks for the review, ZenLateralus.
And nice to see you back. :)

"As stated, this is Seagal at his 'best' and so deserves to be rented or purchased as soon as possible!"

I get the impression he enjoyed it overall, especially with the rating of 3 out of 5 stars. Good to know. :)

Thanks again.

[Littledragon]

Thanks for the info I can't wait for the movie.

[ZenLateralus]

I am having difficulty logging on for some reason. I don't know why but when I log on and it trys to redirect me to the page I was last on I get redirected to the log on page even though it states "thanks for logging on".

[ZenLateralus]

I also agree that dubbing is one of the most annoying problems with some of Steven Seagal's recent direct-to-video efforts. I will be renting this movie when it is released next Tuesday.

[Serena]

I am having difficulty logging on for some reason. I don't know why but when I log on and it trys to redirect me to the page I was last on I get redirected to the log on page even though it states "thanks for logging on".

Sorry, ZenLateralus, but I have no idea what could be causing this. I'll put this comment of yours in the Site Discussion thread, where Craig will see it next time he's here. I'll also send him an email for you.

[suziwong]

Thank you very much for review Zen !!

[yudansha]

Thanks, for that 'strange' review. I, like TD, couldn't get a clear judgement of the movie from it. Sarcasm or not, I think the reviewer is riding the fence and doesn't want to criticize a Steven Seagal flick badly.

I'm still looking forward to it.

[yudansha]

Thanks, for that 'strange' review. I, like TD, couldn't get a clear judgement of the movie from it. Sarcasm or not, I think the reviewer is riding the fence and doesn't want to criticize a Steven Seagal flick badly.

I'm still looking forward to it.

[tora]

And I'm gonna have to wait for ages.Well,I'll sure find something to fill my time with.

[Amos Stevens]

Thanks for posting the review Zen & welcome back!

[Clement3000]

Thanks for the review ZenLateralus!! It's good to atleast see reviews of the movie posted, I hope this movie will do well as people are purshasing only on Seagals name and movie discription. I think the reviewer enjoyed the movie, his only real complaint was the voice overs, which are really bad, other great movie.

[Lotussan]

Thanks for the review for what the review was worth...The guy couldn't even get the title right, so I can't give him much...Besides he's insulting and obviously he isn't so perfect...As for saying Steven looks the same as he did in the Foreigner, well...
We know that's not true...
Except the bird scene, perhaps...
His hair looks longer there, and shorter in the other scenes (photos that we saw) hmmm...

[yudansha]

I don't know if it's just me, but I noticed how in the 'behind the scenes' video, Seagal looks much better than in the actual film footage ... I don't know ... maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but it's not April 1st yet... :D

[Mason]

Well watching the dvd was a pleasure in that sense that the screenpicture was perfectly clear ofcourse,& I felt that I got alot more out of the movie this time,than when I saw the screener.
But in terms of the special features & so.. I must say that Im dissapointed. I was allmost sudden that there were no beheind the scenes stuff on it .. & how right I was. But here is the most cheapest thing of it all, there wasnt even no trailer for Out Of Reach on the dvd and the other trailers was the once we have allready seen before except for one!

The movie is still a good one but the rest of the dvd sucks!!

[J.Lucas]

But here is the most cheapest thing of it all, there wasnt even no trailer for Out Of Reach on the dvd and the other trailers was the once we have allready seen before except for one!


The US DVD of The Patriot didn't have a trailer either...actually it only had the movie period...and only in one format as well.
this could explain why videodetective.com may have pulled 'Out Of Reach' from their movie search(never was a trailer made)....it was listed a few weeks ago..but when I did I recent search it doesn't even come up now.
John

[Lotussan]

Too bad...I was looking forward to it...:(

[Serena]

Well, glad you liked the movie, anyway! :)
Even if the extras did "suck". :D

[suziwong]

Thank you very much for this DVD review Mason !!!
I am sorry for special features because I enjoy !!

suzi

[SimonLustenberger]

[setting a rose on fire]
Faisal: Pretty isn't it? But like any rose, a company must cut its thorns.

Faisal: Pain is your friend. Learn to love pain and it'll set you free.

William (Seagal) : Lewis, you're playing a whore's game. You ain't nothing but a whore. Now you know what happens to whores don't you now?
Lewis: What?
William: Whores always get ****ed don't they?

William: I despise taking human life. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit the fact that I'm gonna enjoy killing YOU slowly.

[William and Faisal are in a stand-off]
William: It's my favorite moment in life.
Faisal: What's that?
William: That's when the predator becomes the prey.

Irena: My friend William, he'll come, you'll see.
Faisal: I look forward to meeting him. The sooner, the better.

[yudansha]

No trailer on the DVD either? ... sombody screwed up there...

I don't know why the Canadian and the American DVD of the Patriot are different, but my (region 1) version of the Patriot has its trailer on it.

[Mason]

The mail that one of the members in here recived,said that the trailer was completed .. so there is a trailer but the question is if they think it is to late to put it online?

[yudansha]

... they've completed a trailer (if) after the DVD was finished to be released ...

[Amos Stevens]

Thanks for the review Mason

[suziwong]

The mail that one of the members in here recived,said that the trailer was completed .. so there is a trailer but the question is if they think it is to late to put it online?


It can be Mason but it is nonsense isn't it !! This is some kind of artical !!
I didn't see this film yet and I want to see trailer !!

suzi

[Lotussan]

Makes me wonder what other kind of surprises we're going to get regarding the film, nobody has really given much detail...But thanks Mason, I guess that would ruin things...

[tora]

I think the Russian version is sure gonna have the trailer :D So let's all go and get it.Well,'we should mail the checks to Seagal afterwards,of course :D

[Littledragon]

[setting a rose on fire]
Faisal: Pretty isn't it? But like any rose, a company must cut its thorns.

Faisal: Pain is your friend. Learn to love pain and it'll set you free.

William (Seagal) : Lewis, you're playing a whore's game. You ain't nothing but a whore. Now you know what happens to whores don't you now?
Lewis: What?
William: Whores always get ****ed don't they?

William: I despise taking human life. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit the fact that I'm gonna enjoy killing YOU slowly.

[William and Faisal are in a stand-off]
William: It's my favorite moment in life.
Faisal: What's that?
William: That's when the predator becomes the prey.

Irena: My friend William, he'll come, you'll see.
Faisal: I look forward to meeting him. The sooner, the better.


LOL I just love Seagal's lines.

[tora]

That's him,I can believe it.

[Clement3000]

This is another review posted of Out of Reach from Amazon.com



http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif Seagal comes in from the cold - A must see!!!, July 14, 2004
Reviewer: ron starkey (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-reviews/-/A3GL9SV7JQCVB6/ref=cm_cr_auth/104-4651509-3095927) (Los Angeles, CA, USA) Steven Seagal makes a strange return to form in what might best described as The Spy Who Came in From The Cold meets The Ipcress File. This is a stylish spy-thriller with overtones of Michael Caine and Ian Fleming. The set-up is simple enough: Seagal is a retired Spy who has sponsored a young orphan, in Poland. He sends her money and letters. Then suddenly, the girl goes missing. Seagal dusts off his trusty Browning 9MM, heads to Warsaw, and takes on what turns out to be a child-slavery ring. That's the plot. But, what makes this a winner, is the stylish fight scenes. No to mention, Matt Schulze as the fantastically reptilian villain. Also the supporting cast, of largely unknown British and Polish actors are all very good. I liked the script. I liked the visuals. As for Seagal himself - he seems to be chanelling Marlon Brando, with his subtle, raspy, drawl. The climactic sword fight that ends Out Of Reach is truly spectacular. Obviously Director Poh-Chih Leong is drawing on his Hong Kong action-roots here. And for Seagal fans, you have to by this DVD; just to work-out who exactly has re-dubbed the Seagal voice-overs in some of the scenes. Two thumbs, way, way up!!!

[Lotussan]

Very Cool, not a bad review...
He is not raspy, he is whispery, and I like it...
He's very stylish and suave, the perfect and mysterious spy...
Thanks...

[yudansha]

Excellent. Thanks, Clement. Good stuff.

[Craig Robertson]

Well i got the DVD in the post yesterday from Movietyme. I watched it last night too.

Overall i must say it's on a par with Belly Of The Beast, and is 10 times better than The Foreigner and Out For A Kill.

Okay the story is quite weak, and as pointed out before, it is a bit strange that the penpal knew that she would be helped by her distant friend. The plot is easy to follow.

Again the voice over, it is not Seagal, in my opinion this ruins the film. It sounds weird! Wait till you hear it. It doesn't happen just once or twice, but many times throughout the movie, some segments are long too. :(

The fight sequences are excellent. I think they are a bit better than Belly Of The Beast too. :) In this movie, the stunt double is not too noticable. :)

Overall i think this would be much better if they sorted out the sound.

Craig

[Serena]

Thanks for your review, Craig. But doesn't that belong here? ;) :D

http://www.steven-seagal.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3884

Hey--just trying to earn my salary here. :D

[Craig Robertson]

I have edited my other post. Hopefully it reads better now. :D

Craig

[Clement3000]

These have already been posted, but I'll put them here to keep everything in the same thread

http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-3-0.gif Seagal, Seagal, ... Seagal!!, July 9, 2004
Reviewer: Vlitch Godunov (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-reviews/-/A3QIVW3MEH1SKA/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-5369464-8495300) (Birmingham, MI United States) Is it me or does there seem to be a glut of Steven Seagal straight-to-DVD movies these days? I mean, we've had 'The Foreigner,' 'Belly of the Beast' and now the latest Polish-adventure installment, 'Out of Reach.' And as much of a 'fan' of Seagal's work as anyone can actually be, I have become accustomed to his fantasy, never-say-die screen persona in much the same way you grow used to the scars left by your youthful bout of chicken pox! Seagal's work is plot motivated for sure, the script worded a little too chessily for most tastes, the acts linked thinly at the best of times, but they are still good, honest, fun movies to sit back and crack a cold one to. In 'Out of Reach,' Seagal plays William (Billy) Lancing, a former covert agent turned survivalist who is thrown into his old line of work when he discovers that the foster program he is using to help a young girl is actually a human trafficking network. Sure, we've heard it all before, but it's the way that Seagal does his slow-mo karate moves on all the gun-totting assassins that makes it worth your hard earned dollars this time around! And, as I said before, this is set in Poland once again which is where last years 'The Foreigner' was set and trust me, his look is no different in either one! So, our man Seagal must have a two-for-the-price-of-one movie deal going on back a couple of years ago! Smart cookie! Oh yeah, of course there are fatal flaws in this film (in all his films!) - such as his supposed voice over which obviously is not his but is actually his arch enemy in the movie for some reason doing HIS dialogue! - but who cares anymore?! He sure doesn't so why should we? As stated, this is Seagal at his 'best' and so deserves to be rented or purchased as soon as possible!

[Clement3000]

http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif Seagal comes in from the cold - A must see!!!, July 14, 2004
Reviewer: ron starkey (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-reviews/-/A3GL9SV7JQCVB6/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-5369464-8495300) (Los Angeles, CA, USA) Steven Seagal makes a strange return to form in what might best described as The Spy Who Came in From The Cold meets The Ipcress File. This is a stylish spy-thriller with overtones of Michael Caine and Ian Fleming. The set-up is simple enough: Seagal is a retired Spy who has sponsored a young orphan, in Poland. He sends her money and letters. Then suddenly, the girl goes missing. Seagal dusts off his trusty Browning 9MM, heads to Warsaw, and takes on what turns out to be a child-slavery ring. That's the plot. But, what makes this a winner, is the stylish fight scenes. No to mention, Matt Schulze as the fantastically reptilian villain. Also the supporting cast, of largely unknown British and Polish actors are all very good. I liked the script. I liked the visuals. As for Seagal himself - he seems to be chanelling Marlon Brando, with his subtle, raspy, drawl. The climactic sword fight that ends Out Of Reach is truly spectacular. Obviously Director Poh-Chih Leong is drawing on his Hong Kong action-roots here. And for Seagal fans, you have to by this DVD; just to work-out who exactly has re-dubbed the Seagal voice-overs in some of the scenes. Two thumbs, way, way up!!!

[Clement3000]

This one from IMDB

Date: 14 July 2004
Summary: Slightly disappointing for his fans, too little action

The plot is like the movie: pretty neutral and not above standard, like almost every Seagal movie.

Clean settings - the white building is beautiful as a setting, a little highlight.

For the Seagal-fans, there is a bit of fighting in here, I think not enough for you guys. Seagal acts like always, somewhat 'unpersonal'.

All kinda standard things we'll see: typical bad-guy, in Poland everybody drinks :-( and there are a few one-liners (like "wrong answer").

Because I have a bit weakness for Seagal (he was like a small hero over ten years ago in his old movies).

So for that, I'll rate the movie ** out of ****

[Clement3000]

From IMDB

Date: 14 July 2004
Summary: Seagal's Ship Is Still S(t)inking
Well, I have to say I am very disappointed. Again. I'd like to start this commentary by saying that I'm myself a fan of Mr. Seagal and have followed his career in motion pictures since I first saw the superb "Above The Law" back in 1989. This information is just to clarify, that I'm not here to bash Seagal just because it seems to be the "hip" thing to do.

It's fair to say that Seagal's cv hasn't looked very impressive since "Under Siege" over ten years ago. It's been a slow downhill with a few exceptions like fairly enjoyable "US 2" and dumb but entertaining "Exit Wounds". With his Hong Kong influenced "Belly Of The Beast" outing I dared to expect something of a comeback for our beloved thespian, but "Out Of Reach" sends him right back where he was with the dreadful "The Foreigner" and even more horrible "Out For A Kill". You could sum this commentary with one sentence: no more polish action films. The production values of "OOR" are minimal, script has holes for trucks to go through and the acting. Oh lord, the acting. Through out the entire film it is just plain torture to watch. Let's face it - Seagal has never been exactly Oscar material, but he has had his moments. Not in this one. I just don't get why on earth they have to dub his voice with these totally moranic voice overs? And this time it happens a lot, even in the middle of the scene in where he has spoke with his own voice in the beginning.

Seagal has dropped some weight, but it is still a stretch to buy him as an action hero. His moves are slow (still the show them most of time in slow motion!!) and he uses stunt doubles a lot. Action in "OOR" is quite minimal and fairly up to basic standards even for a movie this scale. The brothel shoot out is OK, but the final duel between Seagal and Matt Schulze is a major let down. And while speaking of Mr. Schulze it should be noted that Seagal's acting really isn't the worse in "OOR". Schulze, who delivered good performances in "Blade 2" and "The Transporter" is totally lost with the role of Faisal The Ultimate Bad Guy. His pseudo sophisticated character is probably one of the most lame villains ever supplied with incredibly stale dialogue.

Like noted, the acting in whole is pure crap and it seems that many of the polish actors don't even know English - they just repeat what the director or who ever tells them to say. There really are no good performances in "OOR" except the small cameo of Nick Brimble and momentarily the girl who plays Seagal's pen pal. There are numerous just idiotic scenes like the one where the little girl is held captive in the basement of a castle where villains are having a big party. She is guarded by one of the villains and asks him something like "Why are you not invited to the party?" The bad guy totally loses it and screams: "Stop trying to get inside my head!" Whoa. Then there are the goofy scenes where Seagal wanderers in the forest "looking for injured animals". It is of course a beautiful concept, but the guy looks like a lost-in-the-woods member of a motorcycle gang. And the final still picture before the end credits start to roll. What the heck were they thinking in the editing room? "Wow, NOW this movie works like it should!"

I did my best to come up with even one positive thing about "OOR", but it just seems impossible. How can talented(?) people mess up this bad and what in heaven's name did Seagal see in this project that made him want to get into it? Is he proud of his Poland era of film making?

If you are a fan of Seagal you have to ask yourself a question: did you like him as the arrogant ass kicker from his Warner Brothers days or do you prefer this independent (no big studio wants to touch him with a ten foot pole?) filmmaker -version of him? If your heart beats for his neat ponytail wearing, black leather jacket and jeans -period then do your self a favor and leave "OOR" alone. As sad as it might seem.

This was a stink bomb. Please, let "Into The Sun" be better.

[Clement3000]

From IMDB

Date: 14 July 2004
Summary: An entertaining thriller
I am not a huge Seagal fan, but I found Out Of Reach to be very entertaining, well filmed, and surprisingly compelling.

It is a clever thriller that calls to mind 1960's spy movies like The Ipcress File and Funeral In Berlin. Matt Schulze makes a terrifically sleazy villain, and the rest of the English/Polish Actors are excellent.

The movie is thin on Action - yes. But the set pieces and final sword fight are dazzling. Almost like Stanley Donen's Yakuza.

Last but not least, Seagal himself, turns in a somber yet plausible performance. It's like Clint Eastwood in the good old days, or Marlon Brando in the not-so-good recent days.

All this being said, the script, direction and production values are good. But most interesting to me, is the fact that another actor seems to have been dubbed in, instead of Seagal. If you listen carefully, you can hear that it's another Actor's voice. That alone should make this one for the Seagal collector.

[Pedro]

Hi.

This is not a detail review. There is a better one in this same site. This is my opinion of the movie, after I saw it last thursday.

I loved watching Steven again.

This isn't Steven worst movie, neither his best. Is superior to The Foreigner and Ticker, but in my opinion, doesn't get to far from there.

Is Steven shortest movie. Is about 1:20 minutes.

I didn't like:
- Just a few fight scence. Reminded me The Patriot
- In several times in the movie, they changed Steven voice with someone else. Looks like the director wanted to change the talks in the movie. I paid to see and hear Steven, not some other people doing it for him,
- The script is kind of weird.

I Like:
- Seen Steven in another movie
- Seen that he still looks a man to fear. I believe, that if a big budget movie put Steven inside to do what he does best, he will be back strong.

In my opinion, Steven last movies haven't let him to shine as He does best, because the quality of the movies, directors and scripts. Belly of the beast wast a better movie in my opinion than this one.

I suggest Steven to be in more quality and higher budgets movies, no matter if he is not the lead actor, till he get good scripts.

I still being his fan, but his movies have desappointed me lately.

Pedro.
Dominican Republic.

[Reservoir Dog]

My anticipation is starting to slow down with all these mixed reviews. One thing I am happy about though is Seagal is back in shape !! I hope he keeps the weight off for his next big movie. (whatever that may be)

[HardtoKill]

When does this new movie Out of Reach come to DVD/VHS?
If you know tell me!

[suziwong]

Hard To kill,

DVD premire at 20 July !! We are waiting our orders !!!

BTW Pedro, thank you very much for review. But I closed my ears and my eyes for all reviews in these day and I am waiting OUT OF REACH !!!!

I am not interest with movie good or bad. Of course I want the best but I am Steven Seagal fan and I enjoy to see him on screen since we don't see himself !!:D

peace
suzi

[Clement3000]

http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-3-0.gif kinda slow and loose this time, but still watchable, July 17, 2004
Reviewer: justareader (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-reviews/-/AAJ0EEWCGQ0L1/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-5369464-8495300) (yorba linda, ca United States) i think this time the script is a bit loose and the pace is bit slow. the only obvious improvement is segal's belly seems to be smaller, and he also looked younger in this film. the script and direction both are bit loose and slow. the fighting scenes are actually not as good as what we saw last time in the 'belly of the beast'. the polish polish detective is a beautiful actress, her performance is quite okay especially when she was gunned down, her painful expression was quite believable. not too good this time, but still watchable. if the pace and tempo could be a bit faster, the script more concentrated, then it'd be more fun.

[Serena]

Thanks for those reviews, Clement. :) Seems like most people so far think it could have been better, but enjoyed it in general.

[tora]

Stuff...right...and it works aaiight :D

[Clement3000]

No problem, I don't really agree with many of the reviews, but it's only fair to post them good or bad. Only 2 more days....... ;)

[Serena]

Here's the latest addition to the readers' reviews at Amazon.com.

Mr. Seagal goes Warsaw - It's very cool!!!, July 18, 2004
Reviewer: Cathy Exonis (Las Vegas)

For once Seagal gets a great script, thanks to screenwriter Trevor Miller. It's one of those stories you might've read in Time Magazine. Unsuspecting Americans are donating money to a Warsaw Orphanage. But this is no ordinary orphanage. it's a front for human trafficking. The kids are being sold on the internet, for nefarious purposes. But the human traffickers have one problem - Steven Seagal. He's been sponsoring a teenage girl at the orphanage - sending her letters, and money. And when the girl goes missing, it's Seagal to the rescue.

If you like good drama, spiced up with fight scenes - Out Of reach is for you. I never realized that Steven Seagal was such a good actor. But in Out Of Reach he flexes his acting muscles. He's imposing. He's cool. He's much more likeable than ever before. This might not be Under Seige. But what it lacks in explosions and pyrotechnics, it makes up for with clever dialogue, interesting settings, and a grown-up Seagal; who is strangely compelling. It's a shame this movie never made it to Theaters, but in wide-screen (on DVD) the picture is dark, brooding, and ultimately quite a chilling ride. If you can't buy it - rent it. And if you can't rent it, put it on your Christmas List. Out Of reach is outta sight! A five star performance from Seagal!

[Reservoir Dog]

Great News!! The only problem is, I cant get Vern's review out of my head. It's the only thing keeping me from my maximum anticipation potential.

[Serena]

Great News!! The only problem is, I cant get Vern's review out of my head. It's the only thing keeping me from my maximum anticipation potential.

I got that one out of my head almost immediately. :D
And have you noticed Vern hasn't been back? :D

[yudansha]

Thanks, Serena.

[kat]

Here's the latest addition to the readers' reviews at Amazon.com.

Mr. Seagal goes Warsaw - It's very cool!!!, July 18, 2004
Reviewer: Cathy Exonis (Las Vegas)

For once Seagal gets a great script, thanks to screenwriter Trevor Miller. It's one of those stories you might've read in Time Magazine. Unsuspecting Americans are donating money to a Warsaw Orphanage. But this is no ordinary orphanage. it's a front for human trafficking. The kids are being sold on the internet, for nefarious purposes. But the human traffickers have one problem - Steven Seagal. He's been sponsoring a teenage girl at the orphanage - sending her letters, and money. And when the girl goes missing, it's Seagal to the rescue.

If you like good drama, spiced up with fight scenes - Out Of reach is for you. I never realized that Steven Seagal was such a good actor. But in Out Of Reach he flexes his acting muscles. He's imposing. He's cool. He's much more likeable than ever before. This might not be Under Seige. But what it lacks in explosions and pyrotechnics, it makes up for with clever dialogue, interesting settings, and a grown-up Seagal; who is strangely compelling. It's a shame this movie never made it to Theaters, but in wide-screen (on DVD) the picture is dark, brooding, and ultimately quite a chilling ride. If you can't buy it - rent it. And if you can't rent it, put it on your Christmas List. Out Of reach is outta sight! A five star performance from Seagal!

Thanks Serena! That makes me wanna go watch it RIGHT NOW :D
But I will wait........:)

[suziwong]

Thank you Serena !! It is good !!
But I prefer to wait my DVD it is coming soon !! I am sure that OOR not a bad movie !! Seagal is Seagal and he is cool all the times !!

suzi http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/niceday.gif

[rgray_aikido]

Here is another review. Contains spoilers
http://www.nixflix.com/reviews/outofreach.htm

[ZenLateralus]

Well, I haven't posted for a while but I'll let all my fellow fans know that I have rented Out of Reach and plan on watching it tonight. Stay tuned for my review.

[Tiggy]

I am sure that review has upset some, but I enjoyed it, and I hope Steven reads it - maybe it will give the jolt he so desperately needs. I thought Belly of the Beast was hilarious - quite unintentionally, it was appalling quality, badly and quite unecessarily dubbed, trailed off badly, sound was amaturish, and he was too fat to move properly etc, etc. My son watched it in total disbelief, and I am already dreading the though of him watching this next one. Surely Steven can look back at the Under Seiges, Fire down Below, The Patriot, and several of his other movies, and see that these crap films do him and the public no favours. He has set a standard in his earlier films, and it is high time he returned to that standard, and stopped letting himself and his public down so badly.

[Lotussan]

Well, the only thing that was really dissapointing was the dubbing...Especially the part where the other guy reads William's letters out loud...Because to me, Steven has such a nice and gentle voice, it would have been great to hear him doing the letters...
I liked the movie personally, the scene with the bird was great, the scene where he has lost the written connection with the girl was so poignant, very touching...
And he was quite the gentleman in the film...I will give a full review after I watch again, maybe twice...But I think his acting was good, as was his shooting, fighting
and the swordwork, eeeeeeeeeeeee! I love that...He's wonderful, such a pleasure for me...:)

[Shawn C]

I rented and watched this today. I gave it a 6.5 out of 10.


The fights scenes were much better than "Belly of the Beast". There was no "wire-fu". The fights were much more realistic.


The acting was decent by the supporting cast. I'm pretty sure the bad guy was in a previous Seagal movie (I can't recall which one, though...it was a recent one).


Things that could've been better:


-The dubbing of another actor's voice, which has been mentioned already.

-Some cheesy parts, such as when Seagal "poses" after the final fight scene.

-The plot was a little too similar to "Belly of the Beast" (Seagal rescues a kidnapped girl).


Overall, it was a good movie and worth the rental. It wasn't Steven's best work, though.

[hulkster225]

I just rented Out of Reach, and I give it a 6 out of 10. The fight scenes were much better than Belly of the Beast and Out for a Kill, and I liked the supporting actors better. The fights kinda brought back memories of earlier movies. The voice overs for Seagal were totally unecessary and pointless. I have no idea what they were thinking when they put them in, but it really annoyed me throughout the movie. Also I think the plot was kind of slow, they should have had a few more fight scenes to speed things up. Overall not a bad movie, but nothing to go crazy about.

[DoHuhJooSay]

I agree with hulkster very much. The voice double was very very very very very very nerve racking. There was absolutly no point in using a voice double. In the very first fight scene when he brke that guys leg was awesome...I yelled ouch really loud..lol. The other thing that really erked me was the final fight scene where he stabbed the guy below the shoulder and he died right away. The heart would have been more realistic. You can survive a stabbing right under the shoulder. Again though it is Seagal, and definantly worth the rental. I give it a 5 because there wasn't much to the movie and it wasn't even an hour and half long. Not his best, but i still liked it just as I like all of his movies, and no matter how bad I can watch them all several times and more.

So where is everyone...thought there would be a million post about this movie? I got to watch it Friday and I have been dying waiting on Tuesday so I could see what everyone thought. Come on you guys...speak...lol.
Talk to you all later.

[Sworn Enemy]

I just watched 35 minutes of Out of Reach..and than deemed the flick unwatchable. It was boring in the way The Foreigner and The Patriot were boring. Belly of the Beast was good because it had constant senseless violence. And when it comes to Seagal these day, all I want to see him do is whip ass. Lord knows when he actually "speaks" these days, it isn't even him. So from now on more fight less chat fatso.

[Reservoir Dog]

I've got a question for those who did not like the film. Did you watch the same film I did? This was excellent. MUCH better than expected, and Seagal was looking good. For one thing, there was bone crunching. Once at the beginning, when Seagal takes out the CSA guys leg, and later at the end with Faisal.

The storyline was the best of any of the DTV's, and much better than HPD. Seagal slimmed down quite a bit, and that is a good thing. He looks much better than he does when he's got some weight on him, and a couple times he looked like an older version of "Nico". The young girl was a pretty decent actress, and so was Seagal's women partner. There werent too many twists, and it got a little confusing at times (how did the girl have time to write "Napoleon" under her bed?) but other than that a spectacular film.

I personally enjoyed the Polish landscapes much better than all of the Asian scenery, and it definitley made the film feel more clean cut. The supporting cast was right on the money, although the black guy really had some dumb lines. (I hated the scene where they were both out of bullets, and shot each other anyway)

Matt Schulze was great. He reminds me of Seagal. He is stylish and sharp, and also plays a great villian. Seagal himself had some great lines, a lot more than he did in the other recent films. I think Seagal felt more confident here, possibly because of the weight loss, or maybe he knew it was going to be a better film than the others.

Overall Seagal gets it right for once DTV. "Belly of the Beast" was fun, but it was hard to take the stunt doubles seriously. I think you guys are making to big a deal of the dubbing. It only happened on voiceovers, Seagal's dialogue was kept undisturbed. Seagal proves here again with the right moves, he is capable of putting on a great show. It's almost a shame the next movie will certainly be his worst (Submerged) after a great comeback like this. If i was Seagal, I really wouldnt do that film, it really sounds like it will be below him. This one I will watch again tommorow (I rented) and will ultimately buy when I get the cash. This movie is not just for die hard Seagal fans, its great for all, and is definitley refreshing from the likes of "Out for a Kill) :):):) ****

[Reservoir Dog]

I just watched 35 minutes of Out of Reach..and than deemed the flick unwatchable. It was boring in the way The Foreigner and The Patriot were boring. Belly of the Beast was good because it had constant senseless violence. And when it comes to Seagal these day, all I want to see him do is whip ass. Lord knows when he actually "speaks" these days, it isn't even him. So from now on more fight less chat fatso.

Constant violence? That's unsettling. Also, Seagal slimmed down, why call him fatso? Very rude and uncalled for. Moderators, take note of that.

[Sworn Enemy]

Constant violence? That's unsettling. Also, Seagal slimmed down, why call him fatso? Very rude and uncalled for. Moderators, take note of that.

What's so unsettling...Seagal makes violent R Rated movies. Both Under Siege 1 and 2 were nonstop action/violence.

Steven Seagal is not thin. He is fat. Calling him what he is, that's an insult? Moderators take note.....this is a forum bro, since when can't you tell it like it is..did I threaten you in some way? Nope, so you have no reason to cry out for a Mod to "take note". What are they going to do, punish me..or OH NO!!! Ban Me.

Please brother...this is a thread for reviews, I gave mine. No one asked for your worthless opinion, on my opinion of the movie.

[Clement3000]

I really liked your review, and feel the same way you do. We'll said, I'm happy you enjoyed the movie as much as I did.


I've got a question for those who did not like the film. Did you watch the same film I did? This was excellent. MUCH better than expected, and Seagal was looking good. For one thing, there was bone crunching. Once at the beginning, when Seagal takes out the CSA guys leg, and later at the end with Faisal.

The storyline was the best of any of the DTV's, and much better than HPD. Seagal slimmed down quite a bit, and that is a good thing. He looks much better than he does when he's got some weight on him, and a couple times he looked like an older version of "Nico". The young girl was a pretty decent actress, and so was Seagal's women partner. There werent too many twists, and it got a little confusing at times (how did the girl have time to write "Napoleon" under her bed?) but other than that a spectacular film.

I personally enjoyed the Polish landscapes much better than all of the Asian scenery, and it definitley made the film feel more clean cut. The supporting cast was right on the money, although the black guy really had some dumb lines. (I hated the scene where they were both out of bullets, and shot each other anyway)

Matt Schulze was great. He reminds me of Seagal. He is stylish and sharp, and also plays a great villian. Seagal himself had some great lines, a lot more than he did in the other recent films. I think Seagal felt more confident here, possibly because of the weight loss, or maybe he knew it was going to be a better film than the others.

Overall Seagal gets it right for once DTV. "Belly of the Beast" was fun, but it was hard to take the stunt doubles seriously. I think you guys are making to big a deal of the dubbing. It only happened on voiceovers, Seagal's dialogue was kept undisturbed. Seagal proves here again with the right moves, he is capable of putting on a great show. It's almost a shame the next movie will certainly be his worst (Submerged) after a great comeback like this. If i was Seagal, I really wouldnt do that film, it really sounds like it will be below him. This one I will watch again tommorow (I rented) and will ultimately buy when I get the cash. This movie is not just for die hard Seagal fans, its great for all, and is definitley refreshing from the likes of "Out for a Kill) :):):) ****

[yudansha]

Ofcourse, there's nothing wrong with free speech, but this is a FAN site. You know he had a 'problem' with his weight back in the day of Half Past Dead and The Foreigner (you could even see it starting in Exit Wounds) but you can also see Steven Seagal working on it, and it shows. As far as insults go, I think you've just made one: "No one asked for your worthless opinion."

[Clement3000]

That was completly uncalled for


Please brother...this is a thread for reviews, I gave mine. No one asked for your worthless opinion, on my opinion of the movie.

[Reservoir Dog]

Calling Seagal "fatso" and commenting on his weight are two things altogether. I wasnt trying to comment on your opinion, or give my own, I just would like to see something done in a review thread where you bash SEAGAL, NOT THE MOVIE. That wasnt a review buddy, it was a complaint and insult to Seagal. There are rules on the forum, stick to them, and show some respect.

[Sworn Enemy]

Here is what I said:
I just watched 35 minutes of Out of Reach..and than deemed the flick unwatchable. It was boring in the way The Foreigner and The Patriot were boring. Belly of the Beast was good because it had constant senseless violence. And when it comes to Seagal these day, all I want to see him do is whip ass. Lord knows when he actually "speaks" these days, it isn't even him. So from now on more fight less chat fatso

And here is what you said:
I just would like to see something done in a review thread where you bash SEAGAL, NOT THE MOVIE. That wasnt a review buddy, it was a complaint and insult to Seagal.


That my friend is a review. I touched on the aspects of the film that I did not like. I compared and contrasted to other Steven Segal films and I commented on the main actor. Have you ever read a film review. When in a review, does the reviewer NOT mention the actor.

[Tiggy]

Another good review of the film, good in the sense that it reports well! I think the writer, like most of us here, is a fan, and wants it to be good, but is having problems coming to terms with all the related problems, bad sound, dubbing and generally poor production. If this person is a professional reviewer, then he will have good knowledge of the film industry, and like others here with the same knowledge, it is a constant puzzle as to what SS is doing. He is such a bright man, and to watch him slipping film by film is like watching someone you love walk further and further into quicksand. You know they know what they are doing, but can neither stop them or understand why they don't turn back. Of course we here will all buy/rent the latest offering, but in my case with heavy heart. Sadly we are a small group, and it's not us who will keep him going. He needs to attract the general public, who may not be great fans, but know he turns out films worth watching, and will hire/buy them. My guess is that he is about up to his ears in the quicksand now, something has to change soon.

[suziwong]

I am going to watch nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!!!

[Serena]

Wow!!! That was fast!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!! :)
And then tell us what you thought. :D

[KATHYPURDOM]

I was not at the store when they opened, :( because I was working. I just had to many deliveries to be there when they opened, but I did buy the movie OOR and enjoyed it very much. I thought that Steven lost a lot of weight. He did look real good. It was either the sound track or the doubling that was bad, but if that didn't really bother me much. The plot was good. All in all I thought that it was great and I will probably watch it again today if I don't have to work all day again. I did see a lot of mistakes, but if you think about it, what movie doesn't have mistakes. I won't mention them because I know that some of you have not seen the movie yet.

[Reservoir Dog]

I am going to watch nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!!!

Suzi, enjoy! This is the best Seagal in years. Not to mention one of the best storylines and plot development in Seagal history. I hope you like it as much as i did!

[Reservoir Dog]

Well typically a review is longer than a few sentences, like mine was, if you read mine. It is a review technically, but not from a Seagal film, and it was intended to bash him, thats what I was referring to.

[Serena]

It's great to hear such positive things, Kathy and Reservoir Dog! :) Thanks for posting those comments. It's nice to see them scattered about on the forum. I'm looking forward to it, and i'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as you did.

[suziwong]

Just Finished Out Of Reach !!!!

first of all I AM VERY SORRY BUT;

Mr. STEVEN SEAGAL, HIS STAFF, HIS DIRECTOR, HIS WRITERS, HIS PRODUCERS DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TURKEY & TURKISH PEOPLE. THEY COULD AT LEAST MADE A RESEARCH ABOUT TURKEY !!!
TURKEY IS OF THE MODERN COUNTRY IS LIKE THE OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. JUST A LITTLE DETAIL, TURKISH PEOPLE DON'T USE "FES=it is kind of old still hat", IF THEY HAD A LITTLE RESEARCH THEY COULD HAVE LEARN VERY EASILY !!!


1. Yes Steven lost a lot of weight , I liked this.
2. Yes I liked his costumes
3. I like Matt Schulze especially he is very good player in my opinion.
4. I waited a lot of fight scenes and it was a few !!
5. Yes different story I liked !!!

But generally I am sorry but I was dissapointed this time. I was expecting this better than Belly Of The Beast but it wasn't.

My favorite movie is still "Belly Of The Beast" !!!

suzi

[Reservoir Dog]

No one else liked this film. Maybe I was having a dream, and never actually watched it?

[suziwong]

No one else liked this film. Maybe I was having a dream, and never actually watched it?

Really I am sorry Res !!! :(

[Serena]

Just Finished Out Of Reach !!!!

first of all I AM VERY SORRY BUT;

Mr. STEVEN SEAGAL, HIS STAFF, HIS DIRECTOR, HIS WRITERS, HIS PRODUCERS DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TURKEY & TURKISH PEOPLE. THEY COULD AT LEAST MADE A RESEARCH ABOUT TURKEY !!!
TURKEY IS OF THE MODERN COUNTRY IS LIKE THE OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. JUST A LITTLE DETAIL, TURKISH PEOPLE DON'T USE "FES=it is kind of old still hat", IF THEY HAD A LITTLE RESEARCH THEY COULD HAVE LEARN VERY EASILY !!!


1. Yes Steven lost a lot of weight , I liked this.
2. Yes I liked his costumes
3. I like Matt Schulze especially he is very good player in my opinion.
4. I waited a lot of fight scenes and it was a few !!
5. Yes different story I liked !!!

But generally I am sorry but I was dissapointed this time. I was expecting this better than Belly Of The Beast but it wasn't.

My favorite movie is still "Belly Of The Beast" !!!

suzi

That's too bad about the incorrect Turkish references, Suzi. :( Maybe that has something to do with why you didn't like it, since you did like so many other things about it, as you listed #1-5. You didn't mention what you didn't like, Suzi. Anything in particular?

Belly of the Beast was one I also enjoyed. :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Suzi. :)

[Reservoir Dog]

Really I am sorry Res !!! :(

It is okay suzi, I enjoyed the film, if you didnt that is ok. I am curious though, if they represented Turkey and the Turkish people more accurately, do you think you would have liked it, or did you just not like it for other reasons?

[Reservoir Dog]

That's too bad about the incorrect Turkish references, Suzi. :( Maybe that has something to do with why you didn't like it, since you did like so many other things about it, as you listed #1-5. You didn't mention what you didn't like, Suzi. Anything in particular?

Belly of the Beast was one I also enjoyed. :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Suzi. :)

Serena, when can we expect a review from you? :D

[Serena]

Serena, when can we expect a review from you? :D

I haven't seen it yet, but I don't know if you'll really like mine or not. :D I don't give "reviews". I usually just say whether I liked it or not. That's the beauty about a "personal opinion", eh? You don't have to justify it or explain it. ;) :D

And I'm really glad to hear you liked it. I tend to agree with a lot of the things you post here, so I'm hoping I agree with you on that, as well! :)

[suziwong]

Serena,

Did you see me ever saying bad things about his films ??? NO !!!

I am sorry but this is not incorrect information about Turkey it is being prejudice !!!

I BELIEVE RUMORS ARE CORRECT MR.SEAGAL DOESN'T LIKE TURKEY & TURKISH PEOPLE !!!!

sincerely
suzi

[Reservoir Dog]

The only reason I think that people here may not like it, is because it is not a Seagal movie. By this I mean, technically, anyone could have pulled of Seagal's role because there was little or no fighting to be done. Then again, it was more interesting that way, it made him stretch his acting and try something different and more challenging. But, hardcore fans like to see Seagal commanding on screen. He takes some hits in this one, and even lets one of the bad guys escape his wrath (when has a bad guy ever gotten away from Seagal unharmed?) It is quite a bit different, but in a strange way, a lot better quality, then most of his films to date. There are those people on the internet (possibly Vern, as an example) who expect to see Seagal as Nico on the New York streets at their local theatre. Those days may be over, but that does not mean you cannot embrace this film for what it is. An entertaining thriller, with our man Seagal, doing what he does best.

[Reservoir Dog]

Serena,

Did you see me ever saying bad things about his films ??? NO !!!

I am sorry but this is not incorrect information about Turkey it is being prejudice !!!

I BELIEVE RUMORS ARE CORRECT MR.SEAGAL DOESN'T LIKE TURKEY & TURKISH PEOPLE !!!!
sincerely
suzi

I am sure Steven Seagal has no prejudiced towards the Turkish People, suzi. Remember, the majority of the film was filmed in POLAND, not Turkey, so maybe they just didnt have time to get their facts straight.

[Serena]

Serena,

Did you see me ever saying bad things about his films ??? NO !!!

I am sorry but this is not incorrect information about Turkey it is being prejudice !!!

I BELIEVE RUMORS ARE CORRECT MR.SEAGAL DOESN'T LIKE TURKEY & TURKISH PEOPLE !!!!

sincerely
suzi

Nope--never hear you say anything bad about Steven or his films, Suzi. :)

Was it just the fez reference, or was there more? Because, you know, many, many movies have "stereotypes". Like most movies about New Yorkers have them speaking with that "typical New York" accent. Or Italian men are often portrayed as going around pinching girls' bottoms. :D No one did that to me in all my trips there! :D Or they have women from India all wear saris, when many modern women do not any any more. Or have all the French people walking along the streets with a shopping bag that has a long loaf of breading sticking out of it. Or nurses being naughty in sexy uniforms. :D

See what I mean, Suzi? I'm not trying to defend him or say that it's a good thing to do. I'm just saying that is still the way many movies are made these days, even though it's not correct, and I'm sure Turkey was not singled out to be picked on.

[Reservoir Dog]

The fez hat was intended for a bit of comic relief (although I didnt really laugh too much) What else was inaccurate about the Turkish culture?

[suziwong]

I am sure Steven Seagal has no prejudiced towards the Turkish People, suzi. Remember, the majority of the film was filmed in POLAND, not Turkey, so maybe they just didnt have time to get their facts straight.

Yes I know was filmed in Poland because If it was filmed in Turkey then he would learn about the Turkey and Turkish people !!

SO I AM NOT ONLY CALLING IT PREJUDICES I CALLED IT IGNORANCE TOO!!!

suzi

[TDWoj]

Suzi, my friend, I am so sorry you have been hurt!

Steven was just making a movie (and by the faint praise, not a very good movie at that), not a political statement (at least, I hope he wasn't).

You also have to remember, my sweet Suzi, that Steven doesn't care about his movies any more. Even in the ones he did care about, there were mistakes and wrong facts and stereotypes. I'm sure the Thai people didn't like being portrayed the way they were in Belly of the Beast; the native people didn't like the way they were portrayed in On Deadly Ground; and the people in the southern United States really, really hated being portrayed the way they were in Fire Down Below. Not to mention Italians in Above the Law and Out for Justice; the Jamaicans in Marked for Death; and the Chinese in Out for a Kill.

This time around it was Turkey's turn; and that, I suspect, was because whoever wrote the film didn't bother to do any research to get it right, and with a low budget film, who is going to check the facts?

I'm very sorry that this happened, though; it's wrong, even for a low budget movie, to do something so thoughtless to people in a country that is helping in the international fight against terrorism. And I'm very sorry you are so upset! I think a letter to Mr. Seagal telling him about your distress and your hurt would be a very good idea!

By the way, I had no idea that it was supposed to be Turkey in the film; I thought it was Serbia!

-TD, waiting for her copy, but now not really looking forward to watching it

[suziwong]

The fez hat was intended for a bit of comic relief (although I didnt really laugh too much) What else was inaccurate about the Turkish culture?


Our flags at the building!!! moon and star (Turkish Flag Figure) was on the lighter !! We don't use are flag's figure like this !!!! Turkish people were shown as ugly !! Why did he use Turkey ???

[suziwong]

Suzi, my friend, I am so sorry you have been hurt!

Steven was just making a movie (and by the faint praise, not a very good movie at that), not a political statement (at least, I hope he wasn't).

You also have to remember, my sweet Suzi, that Steven doesn't care about his movies any more. Even in the ones he did care about, there were mistakes and wrong facts and stereotypes. I'm sure the Thai people didn't like being portrayed the way they were in Belly of the Beast; the native people didn't like the way they were portrayed in On Deadly Ground; and the people in the southern United States really, really hated being portrayed the way they were in Fire Down Below. Not to mention Italians in Above the Law and Out for Justice; the Jamaicans in Marked for Death; and the Chinese in Out for a Kill.

This time around it was Turkey's turn; and that, I suspect, was because whoever wrote the film didn't bother to do any research to get it right, and with a low budget film, who is going to check the facts?

I'm very sorry that this happened, though; it's wrong, even for a low budget movie, to do something so thoughtless to people in a country that is helping in the international fight against terrorism. And I'm very sorry you are so upset! I think a letter to Mr. Seagal telling him about your distress and your hurt would be a very good idea!

By the way, I had no idea that it was supposed to be Turkey in the film; I thought it was Serbia!

-TD, waiting for her copy, but now not really looking forward to watching it

Thank you TD yes I know it is a story for the movie !! But too many things were wrong !!! It was wrong our flags, our flags figure (moon and star) was wrong !! I am sorry especially for our FLAGS !! it was wrong and UNACCEPTABLE !!!!
Our culture was wrong !!! Everthing & everything !!! I am sorry !!

To letter Mr. Seagal ??? You know it is useless for he will never answer or read it !!!
suzi

[Reservoir Dog]

It's hard to admit Seagal doesnt care about his fans, but it is probably true. He doesnt show them the respect they deserve by putting out quality movies for them. His official site is obviously not well funded, and he does not take an interest in making it good for his fans. I am angry at him, not for the way he portrayed Turkey, but because he is taking advantage of his fans devotion and exploiting them to make money.

[suziwong]

My dear friends,

Thank you for sharing my feelings !! I love you soooo much !!!
sincerely

suzi

[Serena]

It's hard to admit Seagal doesnt care about his fans, but it is probably true. He doesnt show them the respect they deserve by putting out quality movies for them. His official site is obviously not well funded, and he does not take an interest in making it good for his fans. I am angry at him, not for the way he portrayed Turkey, but because he is taking advantage of his fans devotion and exploiting them to make money.

Gee, Reservoir Dog. What changed your mind? You just liked it a bit ago, and said so through several different threads. You're entitled to still like it, you know, just because some others didn't. :) I never, ever let anyone's opinion influence my like or dislike of a movie. They're entitled to theirs, as you are to yours. Their opinion doesn't mean they're right and you're wrong, or vice versa. :) It's just that, a personal opinion.

[suziwong]

Finally I am adding this :

THERE WAS NO REASON FOR USING TURKISH FLAGS AND TURKISH EMBASSY IN THIS MOVIE !!!!

sincerely

suzi

[Reservoir Dog]

Gee, Reservoir Dog. What changed your mind? You just liked it a bit ago, and said so through several different threads. You're entitled to still like it, you know, just because some others didn't. :) I never, ever let anyone's opinion influence my like or dislike of a movie. They're entitled to theirs, as you are to yours. Their opinion doesn't mean they're right and you're wrong, or vice versa. :) It's just that, a personal opinion.

Whoa, I did like the movie. I like all of Seagal's movies. But I dont think he cares enough about his fans as he does making a quick buck. I always felt this way, but now more than ever (the official site to support me) I am almost sure Seagal has no regard for his fans that have supported him for almost twenty years.

I was actually referring to what Suzi said about Seagal not reading her letter. This is probably true, which is very unfortunate.

[Serena]

Whoa, I did like the movie. I like all of Seagal's movies. But I dont think he cares enough about his fans as he does making a quick buck. I always felt this way, but now more than ever (the official site to support me) I am almost sure Seagal has no regard for his fans that have supported him for almost twenty years.

Okay, Reservoir Dog. :) Sorry if I misunderstood that part.

My personal opinion, though, is that if he didn't care about his fans, he wouldn't continue to make films and put out a music CD. You know, he's the star, paid to be a star. That does not mean he has total control over any aspect of any movie. But that's just my opinion. ;) You know optimistic me. :D


I was actually referring to what Suzi said about Seagal not reading her letter. This is probably true, which is very unfortunate.
And since you added this later :D, I'll add my comment. Do you think very many stars personally answer fan mail? I don't know, as I don't write to any, but I don't know how they possibly could.

[Reservoir Dog]

And since you added this later :D, I'll add my comment. Do you think very many stars personally answer fan mail? I don't know, as I don't write to any, but I don't know how they possibly could.


Probably not, but since Suzi is such a big fan, it would be nice if she could at least go to the Seagal's official site without having to read trolls posting vulgar things in her name. As far as fan mail goes, I dont know how many people actually write fan mail, and I could appreciate the fact he is busy. But all the little things that I tend to write off as no big deal eventually blow up and make me frustrated. The voice overs, the stunt doubles, and now the official site. It's as if he is not putting the effort and making it the best possible. I realize it is not big budget, but you have to build up to win back an audience, and I think he should be motivated to try harder. "Out of Reach" was really a cool film, no doubt about it. But in terms of PR with fans, there is a lot of room for improvement.

[Serena]

Probably not, but since Suzi is such a big fan, it would be nice if she could at least go to the Seagal's official site without having to read trolls posting vulgar things in her name. As far as fan mail goes, I dont know how many people actually write fan mail, and I could appreciate the fact he is busy. But all the little things that I tend to write off as no big deal eventually blow up and make me frustrated. The voice overs, the stunt doubles, and now the official site. It's as if he is not putting the effort and making it the best possible. I realize it is not big budget, but you have to build up to win back an audience, and I think he should be motivated to try harder. "Out of Reach" was really a cool film, no doubt about it. But in terms of PR with fans, there is a lot of room for improvement.

That is a shame about Suzi's name over at the so-called "official" site, but no one has had their name abused there more than me--but I don't hold it against Steven personally.

I respect your thoughts, Reservoir Dog, as always. :) Myself, as a fan, I expect and ask for nothing more from Steven Seagal other than a movie once in a while that I can enjoy--and so far I've been quite happy. :)

[Sworn Enemy]

It is a review technically, but not from a Seagal film


????? From a Seagal film?


I will assume you meant fan..and if that's the case, than you are barking up the wrong tree. I'm as big a fan as any of you here. I kept my review short and sweet cause the movie sucked. For some reason a lot of the people at this forum don't want to be at all critical towards Seagal's flicks, or anything he does for that matter.

Are you afraid your going to offend him? You will never meet the dude so who cares..you know how Dolph Lundgren movies blow, well thats the case for most of the latter Seagal movies. They are not good movies...I still own them and have still them all from a collectors stand point. If you measure Marked for Death next to annnny of the movies he's made in the last 5 years, the newer ones are deemed crap. And that brings me to me a point..if the guy could make great movies once, with good stories and good scripts and good direction..why does he settle for making this nonsense.

Come on now..those fight scenes in Out of Reach were awful. In the first one it wasn't even him. The continuity was all over the place..these two people are mailing each other from half way around the world..and yet the letters seem to arrive as if they were emailed. And the dubbing...I don't want to hear the words "maybe he is too busy". Try being a little proud of your work, and if post production work is needed than go in and do it. Re-dubs can take up maybe one afternoon. That's just lazy. The guy still wants to be seen as a serious actor, yet he releases stuff where it isn't even him speaking.

Everyone here can keep saying that his movies get better and better, or they are just as good as the early ones..you guys are living in fantasy land. Don't reply and tell me how you I'm not a fan either..I own Out of Reach, where most of you just rented it..and that's not me claiming "mine is bigger than yours". I always get his movies on release day. But I'm also a big enough fan to say the stuff you put out now is trash. Imagine he read this dopey forum..he'd read pages of praise and think how he still has a career. I would rather him read my posts so he can say...yeah I've been disappointing my fans with these straight to video B-Movies, maybe I need to examine what made my earlier movies so much better.

If you do see this, lose weight, prove that you can still do your Akido and try reciting your own dialogue. Oh yeah and bring back either Dwight H Little or Andrew Davis..neither one of them has done anything worthwile of late. And speak to JF Lawton again maybe he can pen Under Siege 3. That would be a real comeback.

Good day folks, tired of arguing.

[Reservoir Dog]

That is a shame about Suzi's name over at the so-called "official" site, but no one has had their name abused there more than me--but I don't hold it against Steven personally.

I respect your thoughts, Reservoir Dog, as always. :) Myself, as a fan, I expect and ask for nothing more from Steven Seagal other than a movie once in a while that I can enjoy--and so far I've been quite happy. :)

Thank you. I really admire Seagal. He is a hero to me. I just wish things would go better for him. I still highly recommend "Out of Reach", although I am sorry Suzi felt she was disrespected.

[Donald Lee Wilkey]

i too have followed mr. seagal's film career to present. negative reviews have also occured to other performers as well, such as clint eastwood. clint was not received well in america when he first started making films, but as time went by. the whole planet recognized eastwood's talent and art work on film. i believe this is the same case for steven seagal too, but steven seagal will win the hearts of fans on the planet eventually as time passes too. wait, watch, and see!!!

[yudansha]

I'm hoping that "Into The Sun" will be a big change.

[Tiggy]

Although I like Steven a lot, (my real admiration is for things he does outside the movie industry) I guess I could be classed as one of his strongest critics on this site. Whatever I say about him, I would - and will in due course say to his face. So firstly, I think it is fine to be his greatest fan, and then to either critircize, or dislike something he does. There can never be any doubt of Suzi's loyalty, and I am sure that she would be one of the people on this site,he would not only admire, but be totally amazed with. Her fantastic collection of pictures and ability to sniff out information is fantastic, and I could see him being very impressed. As for him disliking the Turkish people and country, from what I know of him, I think that to be highly unlikely. Steven is very much a ''world'' citizen who would not be prejudice against a whole country, or it's people. He has displayed a bordem and laziness of late about his films - just goes through the motions, and I suspect leaves the entire research of the project in hand to others. To be truthful, I doubt Steven has a clue what goes on or bothers to attend and pre, or post production meetings. Suzi, he would be very proud of you, it is those around him misrepresenting hhim, who should be ashamed and blamed.

[TDWoj]

Well said, Tiggy.

I don't think Steven had much to do with the Turkish elements of the movie, suzi - that was the production staff, the people who take care of the details that go into the movie. They just didn't take care with what they were doing.

So, don't lose your love for Steven, Suzi - he probably didn't even know it was wrong!

[Lotussan]

I got my dvd copy!!!!
Fast, huh?
I too liked belly a lot!
He was so sweet in both!
Even my dad enjoyed this film, abd he is picky, but he admires Steven!
He watches with me!
This movie was not my all time favorite, but was good...
He looked very nice and spiffy, and he did lose a lot of weight, I like him whatever weight, it makes no difference really!
He reminded me of Orin Boyd in this one a lot...
To choose, I liked belly the best, because it was so romantic!
He was awesome in this one shooting, kicking and swordfighting, I liked it very much!

[Serena]

I got my dvd copy!!!!
Fast, huh?
I too liked belly a lot!
He was so sweet in both!
Even my dad enjoyed this film, abd he is picky, but he admires Steven!
He watches with me!
This movie was not my all time favorite, but was good...
He looked very nice and spiffy, and he did lose a lot of weight, I like him whatever weight, it makes no difference really!
He reminded me of Orin Boyd in this one a lot...
To choose, I liked belly the best, because it was so romantic!
He was awesome in this one shooting, kicking and swordfighting, I liked it very much!

Cool, Lotus! :) Glad you enjoyed it. I've read a lot of positive things about the fight scenes from other sites, like the Amazon reviews.

And spiffy, eh? ;) There's a word you don't hear every day, but I'm glad to hear he's looking it! :D

[Pat]

I got mine at lunch time and was really looking forward to watching it tonight
now I am doubtful.But since I just like looking at Steven I guess I won't be
too disappointed. Will let everyone know tommorrow. Suzi I am very sorry about
the things said about Turkey, but are you sure they are Steven's mistakes, and
not one of the editors or writers?
Pat

[yudansha]

"Italian men are often portrayed as going around pinching girls' bottoms. No one did that to me in all my trips there! Or have all the French people walking along the streets with a shopping bag that has a long loaf of breading sticking out of it. Or nurses being naughty in sexy uniforms."

LOL Serena ... I don't know about those Italian men, as I have quite a few Italian friends and they've never done that. About the French and the bread... people in the Eastern European countries do the same thing. When I was growing up, there was a huge bread making factory not too far off and my friends and I always went there to buy that long bread (we had to buy quite a few, because we ate alot on the way back). And as far as nurses go, well... you're the expert. :D

"Do you think very many stars personally answer fan mail? I don't know, as I don't write to any, but I don't know how they possibly could."

LOL that reminded me of Foamy!!! :D
_________

Belly of the Beast had TONNES of small mistakes, and they couldn't have been Steven Seagal's fault...

One more thing, about that portrayal of different cultures... I liked how they protrayed the Ukrainians in the Italian Job! :D

[Donald Lee Wilkey]

i'd rather watch seagal films over schwarzenegger films. arny may be what you consider "in shape" physically speaking, for film performances, but seagal is much more interesting to see! even if steven seagal doesn't fit your description of your type of actor for entertaining roles. look deeper into seagal's craft my fellow fan of seagal!?

[Sworn Enemy]

i'd rather watch seagal films over schwarzenegger films. arny may be what you consider "in shape" physically speaking, for film performances, but seagal is much more interesting to see! even if steven seagal doesn't fit your description of your type of actor for entertaining roles. look deeper into seagal's craft my fellow fan of seagal!?


Which craft, his acting craft?

He's not a trained actor, he was a stunt coordinator or a martial arts consultant on a few movies in the early 80's...than when the whole new wave of sub par action heroes came about (Dolph Lundgren, Jeff Speakman, Van Damme) they knew the dude could do karate so they cast him in some flicks. I'll take Seagal over any action hero ever..but please don't pretend that the guy is Laurence Olivier. He's cool to watch when he f*cks people up, thats what an action hero does.

[Reservoir Dog]

I didnt hear anyone bring up the comparison of seagal and Laurence Olivier, or of using karate in his films, except you. For one thing, Seagal started off using aikido in "Above the Law". That's why he is such a celebrated action star, he is the first one to use this style in movies. If you only like Seagal because of the action violence, okay. I too like the action in the movies, if they dont have that, no, they are not very good Seagal films. But to get on the board, call Seagal "fatso", criticise him and disrespect the opinions on this board, is pretty nonsensical. If you are going to post, it would be nice if you picked something to discuss, besides complain that the films aren't "violent enough" It was a direct to video movie. And here is the golden rule for Direct To Video movies:

Don't go in expecting an oscar winning performance, script, or well executed action sequences. Expect the worse. That way you wont be disappointed.

If you refuse to consider Seagal to be an actor, rather than someone that "f*cks people up", fine. But do not post here, because it's uneccessary and boring.

[Tiggy]

Well said, Tiggy.

I don't think Steven had much to do with the Turkish elements of the movie, suzi - that was the production staff, the people who take care of the details that go into the movie. They just didn't take care with what they were doing.

So, don't lose your love for Steven, Suzi - he probably didn't even know it was wrong!

Another thing to remember Suzi, when a movie is being shot, it is not done at all in sequence, and very often the 2nd unit will be shooting scenes that do not use the main artiste. Shooting a film is so disjointed that there are great problems keeping track of the very basic synopses, let alone the finer details of which country it is supposed to be in - particularly when it is shot miles from the real place.

[Lotussan]

And spiffy, eh? ;) There's a word you don't hear every day, but I'm glad to hear he's looking it! :D

Actually, "spiffy" is suzi's word I stole it, but yes, he is looking it, and verrrry sexy as well, hehehe...:D

[Shawn C]

"...than when the whole new wave of sub par action heroes came about (Dolph Lundgren, Jeff Speakman, Van Damme)..."


Speakman wasn't sub-par, IMO. "The Perfect Weapon" is one of my favorite MA flicks of all time.

[Reservoir Dog]

"...than when the whole new wave of sub par action heroes came about (Dolph Lundgren, Jeff Speakman, Van Damme)..."


Speakman wasn't sub-par, IMO. "The Perfect Weapon" is one of my favorite MA flicks of all time.

Speakman is a great martial artist. This guy is just a troll trying to stir up something. Unfortunately, he is trying to convince everyone he is a fan, which makes it harder to accuse him.

[fighter87]

undefined

I just got finished watching Steven Seagals New Movie "Out Of Reach". From all of the reviews I read, some negative and some positive I had good hopes for this movie. Here is the basic Story. Billy Ray Lancing was a covert agent who is now a survivalist. He lives in the woods helping animals. He is sponsering a young girl. They write back and forth all of the time. One day an old friend comes along. They exchange words and Billy returns home. Now maybe 2 mins later, 6 men come and they want him to come with them. Of coarse he dosent. Same day he gets a letter from the orfanage saying that irina will not be able to write anymore. He is a little suspicious as we all would be. Meanwhile, Faisel(Matt) comes to the orfanage selecting 6 or 7 girls to come with him. He picks Irina. Piece by piece Billy realizes what is going on and who is involved. Im not going to tell you the whole story but that is the basics.

The things I liked about OOR was:
1. Budget was better spent!
2. Characters were much more beleiveble.
3. Stevens Character was good through the whole movie.
4. Setting was great! The white buildings were cool to me :D
5. The girls were not quite and calm. They were scared and a little nervous(they showed emotion)
6. Action was good. Some blood which is also a good thing too!
Things I did not like about OOR was:
1. WHY DID THEY DO VOICE DUBBING!?!? So weird :indiffere
2. In the fight scenes they really wasnt any flipping. Just throwing around.
3. Fight scenes for a little short
4. Last fight scene was good when Billy and Faisel were doing hand to hand. But when the sword fight came->> a little slow to me. BOTB was faster.

But all in all, it was a good movie. The story was excellent to me. It made a lot of sense. And Matt Schulze was great in the part! Very big creep. I am glad I bought it, but I just wished that the last scene was a hand to hand fight and not a slow and yes VERY QUICK sword fight. But still a good movie! Keep Making Em.

[Reservoir Dog]

Glad someone else liked it. For me, it was his best film in years. I think the voice dubbing is over exaggerated, it is a lot better than the stunt double problem in BOTB. In terms of overall quality "Out of Reach" is his best film in years. "Belly of the Beast" did have more action, but this one felt higher budget, without the voodoo stuff and all. I do agree though, it would have been nice for some hand to hand combat. Only problem is, Schulze is no martial artist, so it wouldnt have lasted too long...

[Serena]

Thanks for that great review, fighter87. :) You did a good job, listing your likes and dislikes. I'm pleased to hear that overall you enjoyed the movie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :)

[Serena]

Don't go in expecting an oscar winning performance, script, or well executed action sequences.[

I have said this exact same thing many times. I have never watched Steven's movies expecting Oscar-winning anything. :D Just to be entertained for about 90 minutes so I can escape from reality for a bit and slip into some action. And I'm never disappointed. :)

Well, I kinda was with Out for a Kill, but even that has grown on me the more times I've seen it. :D

[Littledragon]

Thanks for the review, I will post mine shortly..

[fighter87]

Res Dog I do agree 100% that the budget was much better in OOR. The stunt doubles did make BOTB a little less unenjoyable. but still good though. to bad matt was not as good as steven. it was have been great to see those 2 hand to hand!

[Clement3000]

Thanks a lot for the review fighter. I really enjoyed the movie myself as well, personally I'd rather see Seagal doing his fighting than someone else (Belly of the Beast). I agree with you Res. Dog that this movie is his best since Exit Wounds, now that I have watched it a 2nd time on DVD. I think that if this movie had a couple more fight scenes, and no voice dubbing, it may have been actually better than Exit Wounds. I'm just happy to see that some people actually enjoyed the movie. Thanks,


Clement :)

[Littledragon]

Thanks a lot for the review fighter. I really enjoyed the movie myself as well, personally I'd rather see Seagal doing his fighting than someone else (Belly of the Beast). I agree with you Res. Dog that this movie is his best since Exit Wounds, now that I have watched it a 2nd time on DVD. I think that if this movie had a couple more fight scenes, and no voice dubbing, it may have been actually better than Exit Wounds. I'm just happy to see that some people actually enjoyed the movie. Thanks,


Clement :)

All I will say right now is I liked it more than Belly Of The Beast, Out For A Kill, Half Passed Dead.

I liked the Foreignor better though.

My review will be posted 2mrw.

[hulkster225]

I don't know why so many people are complaining about parts of OoR that aren't "politically correct". The part with the Turkish people was such a small detail that it really didn't matter. Movies have always used stereotypes to portray different types of people, because it makes them stand out and makes the particular scene a bit more interesting. I just can't believe that some of the people on the board are getting so worked up about such a minor detail in a movie, its not like he actually insulted Turkish people at any point so I don't see where there is a problem.

[Littledragon]

I don't know why so many people are complaining about parts of OoR that aren't "politically correct". The part with the Turkish people was such a small detail that it really didn't matter. Movies have always used stereotypes to portray different types of people, because it makes them stand out and makes the particular scene a bit more interesting. I just can't believe that some of the people on the board are getting so worked up about such a minor detail in a movie, its not like he actually insulted Turkish people at any point so I don't see where there is a problem.


Yup I agree with you. ;)

[rgray_aikido]

I didn't think it was a good film at all. It's bad enough that he uses a double for his fighting but now he can't even do his own dialogue. Seagal obviously doesn't care about the quality of his films anymore. He shows up, exerts as little of effort as he can and then picks up his paycheck. I'm a huge Seagal fan but i'm not going to kid myself and say this is a good film just because Steven Seagal is in it. Steven needs to know when something is bad that way maybe he will get the message and change his ways. I don't mind if a few lines are dubbed, like in Belly Of The Beast or Out for a Kill, But when over half of his lines are dubbed by what sounded like 3 or 4 different people thats totally pathetic. Watch the few fight sequences that are in the film closely and you will see that the stunt double shows up all through them even though they are short simple aikido fights with no wires or anything fancy. In fact there were scenes where Billy was just walking and you could see it wasn't Seagal but his double. The one good thing about the film was that Seagal was thinner than in his previous films. But all in all a very dreadful film.
* out of *****

[Littledragon]

I didn't think it was a good film at all. It's bad enough that he uses a double for his fighting but now he can't even do his own dialogue. Seagal obviously doesn't care about the quality of his films anymore. He shows up, exerts as little of effort as he can and then picks up his paycheck. I'm a huge Seagal fan but i'm not going to kid myself and say this is a good film just because Steven Seagal is in it. Steven needs to know when something is bad that way maybe he will get the message and change his ways. I don't mind if a few lines are dubbed, like in Belly Of The Beast or Out for a Kill, But when over half of his lines are dubbed by what sounded like 3 or 4 different people thats totally pathetic. Watch the few fight sequences that are in the film closely and you will see that the stunt double shows up all through them even though they are short simple aikido fights with no wires or anything fancy. In fact there were scenes where Billy was just walking and you could see it wasn't Seagal but his double. The one good thing about the film was that Seagal was thinner than in his previous films. But all in all a very dreadful film.
* out of *****

LOL easy there..

I have to agree I don't enjoy Seagal's current films as the ones he made back in the day, this current films I can not watch more than once I try but it is not where I can watch Marked For Death or Exit Wounds over and over again. I hope Into The Sun or Mercenary or Submerged will change that..

[TDWoj]

I don't know why so many people are complaining about parts of OoR that aren't "politically correct". The part with the Turkish people was such a small detail that it really didn't matter. Movies have always used stereotypes to portray different types of people, because it makes them stand out and makes the particular scene a bit more interesting. I just can't believe that some of the people on the board are getting so worked up about such a minor detail in a movie, its not like he actually insulted Turkish people at any point so I don't see where there is a problem.

It's a problem if you are Turkish and the symbols of your people are used in a manner that is meant to be disrespectful and mocking.

Suzi is Steven's biggest fan, anywhere and of all time, and of course she is hurt that he's in a movie that slights her people. It looks like HE's doing the slighting, even though it was probably the fault of the sub-par production staff and the writer.

Of course, it's not a big deal from your point of view. But it is to our Suzi; so it wouldn't kill you to be sensitive to that, if you can't be sensitive about anything else.

[hulkster225]

Well I guess she is just a bit oversensitive if she can be offended by a movie, that didn't even intentionally insult Turkish people. Sure there were people wearing Fez's, besides being a stereotype there is nothing terribly offensive about that. The Fez may be very old fashioned but it was a PARTY they were at, for all you know they might have told the people to come dressed like that or something.

[Reservoir Dog]

Well I guess she is just a bit oversensitive if she can be offended by a movie, that didn't even intentionally insult Turkish people. Sure there were people wearing Fez's, besides being a stereotype there is nothing terribly offensive about that. The Fez may be very old fashioned but it was a PARTY they were at, for all you know they might have told the people to come dressed like that or something.

It was actually a restaraunt not a party. It was intended to be comic relief, but it wasn't that funny. I can understand suzi is hurt that Turkey was misrepresented, but the movie was not intended to make a politcial message, and Turkey itself was not potrayed negatively.

[Reservoir Dog]

Rgray-

Are you sure there were stunt doubles? Normally, it was pretty easy to tell, but not in this case. If there was a stunt double, I guess I missed it, or it was well shot enough that Seagal pulled it off. Normally, like in BOTB, the double is easily spotted, but not in this case. Anyway, I would like to hear your thoughts on each scene and how much fighting Seagal actually did.

[Lotussan]

I only noticed stunt doubles about 3 times...
He was doing lots of his own fighting in this one...
Looking good, I was impressed...
I liked the cabin fight scene a lot...
Love the part where he says "Lord have mercy, what a mess..."
I think that's the exact line...
Anyhow, he's just plain cool to me...

I WILL be watching it again this evening, not a moment too soon...:D

[suziwong]

TD understood what I mean and thank you for this !!

I am not talking about story, I am not talking about bad Turkish guys, I am talking about Turkish Symbols. Turkish Flags are our symbols !!! Nobody can use it like this !!!
Why did they use our Embassy ??? Embassy means of gouvernment!!! Our Embassy is not market of the child-slave !!!! I belive this is directlly attack to Turkey and Turkish people.

I am repeating THERE WAS NO REASON FOR USING TURKISH FLAGS AND TURKISH EMBASSY IN THIS MOVIE !!!!

it is prejudice for Turkey
I am sorry for this and I am sorry for Mr. Seagal !!
It is UNACCEPTABLE !!!
sincerely
suzi

PS: Fighter, I know and I understand what you mean about Big white building !!!! I received your message don't worry I am not stupid !!!

[jhogan]

TD understood what I mean and thank you for this !!

I am not talking about story, I am not talking about bad Turkish guys, I am talking about Turkish Symbols. Turkish Flags are our symbols !!! Nobody can use it like this !!!
Why did they use our Embassy ??? Embassy means of gouvernment!!! Our Embassy is not market of the child-slave !!!! I belive this is directlly attack to Turkey and Turkish people.

I am repeating THERE WAS NO REASON FOR USING TURKISH FLAGS AND TURKISH EMBASSY IN THIS MOVIE !!!!

it is prejudice for Turkey
I am sorry for this and I am sorry for Mr. Seagal !!
It is UNACCEPTABLE !!!
sincerely
suzi

PS: Fighter, I know and I understand what you mean about Big white building !!!! I received your message don't worry I am not stupid !!!

Then what countries symbols are filmakers supposed to use ? All other countries except Turkey ? Good god, so many times the symbols of the US has been used badly in films - so what ? It's only a film, and I don't think few people that see this film are going to think that Turkey is into child labor, etc.

[Serena]

DVD Review: OUT OF REACH

by David Blackwell

Steven Seagal used to have a great movie career in the US. He seemed to make a comeback with EXIT WOUNDS, but soon he ended up in the direct to video market. Some of his earlier movies were great (HARD TO KILL, MARKED FOR DEATH, UNDER SEIGE 2), but his recent efforts like THE FOREIGNER and OUT FOR A KILL had me wondering if I would ever see a Steven Seagal movie that just wasn't horrible.

OUT OF REACH is an improvement over THE FOREIGNER and OUT FOR A KILL (which had crappy camera work too). It displays some wonderful Polish locations and architecture. There is even a gun fight in a high class brothel. The direction by Po Chih Leong is smooth. The only thing that makes me wonder is that sometimes Steven Seagal doesn't sound like Steven Seagal like Steven Seagal wasn't available to redubb lines, something was wrong with his voice, or Steven is trying to speak differently. The movie does seem a little short as it clocks in at about 86 minutes with a few things left unanswered (resulting in a semi-weak ending).

Steven Seagal plays William Lansing (aka Billy Ray Lansing) who is a former intelligence operative that goes to Poland to find out what happened to the Polish teenage girl (at an orphanage) he has been corresponding with. He stumbles upon that the orphanage is a front for a human trafficking network being run under the cover of the United Allied Nations and various other foundations. Just sit back and don't dwell too much

VIDEO/AUDIO: The movie is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby digital. There are no other language and no subtitle tracks. The picture is clear and all the colors are good except sometimes the blacks look a little murky.

EXTRAS: There are preview trailers for HALF PAST DEAD, THE FOREIGNER, OUT FOR A KILL, 3 WAY, and BELLY OF THE BEAST.

FINAL ANALYSIS: OUT OF REACH is a better than the average Steven Seagal movie compared to THE FOREIGNER and OUT FOR A KILL. It is a definite rental for Steven Seagal fans and people who want to see the fantastic Polish locations they used. I am disappointed there are no subtitle or foreign language tracks. OUT OF REACH is a good way to fill 80 minutes on a rainy day.

[suziwong]

Dear Jhogan,

For example generally we see the end of the films

"these characters and places......." something like this !! They didn't put this !! What is the meaning of ???
"All characters and places are correct in this film..." !!!

Can you understand ?? May be you can accept this situation I am sorry I can't !!

first Official Site and now this movie !!! OK !!! Not important !!!
I closed this page !!

suzi

[hulkster225]

looks like your just going to have to go on with your life and accept that Seagal used some of Turkey's symbols in his fictional movie about a fictional human trafficking operation.

[TDWoj]

I asked you to be sensitive. Now I'm telling you: suzi is Steven's number one fan here and she is distressed at this unfortunate turn of events. I would appreciate it if you respected that and not diss her for her distress at the misuse of her country's symbols, fictional or otherwise.

[KATHYPURDOM]

I did enjoy watching OOR. The only thing that really upset me was when Steven, or what was suppose to be Steven, walked down the steps towards the end. You can tell that was not even him. The story line was good a Steven does look like he lost a lot of weight.

[Buscemi]

Out of Reach had only two good things to offer:

The girl played well and also his sidekick.

Seagal is at his worst here. I had a hard time watching this through to the end. I really think Seagal should stop it sooner than later. I'd be surprised if Into the Sun would change my opinion because I thought the last few movies would do that.

But it shows that without Nasso Seagal isn't able to make good movies... I really think that Nasso did alot for Seagal. Too bad it ended like this.

[kat]

Out of Reach had only two good things to offer:

The girl played well and also his sidekick.

Seagal is at his worst here. I had a hard time watching this through to the end. I really think Seagal should stop it sooner than later. I'd be surprised if Into the Sun would change my opinion because I thought the last few movies would do that.

But it shows that without Nasso Seagal isn't able to make good movies... I really think that Nasso did alot for Seagal. Too bad it ended like this.


We all know what Nasso "Did" for Seagal :smad:

[Buscemi]

We all know what Nasso "Did" for Seagal :smad:

You mean movies like Out For Justice, Marked For Death, Under Siege and what not? I didn't say that Nasso was a saint, but he certainly knew how to get Steven hooked up with interesting projects.

[Reservoir Dog]

You mean movies like Out For Justice, Marked For Death, Under Siege and what not? I didn't say that Nasso was a saint, but he certainly knew how to get Steven hooked up with interesting projects.

Nasso didn't do Under Siege, but he did ODG, which killed his career. Plus, he wasn't Seagal's agent, he didn't "hook" Seagal up with anything, in fact, Nasso owes his career to Seagal, not Vice Versa. Now Mike Ovitz is a different story....

[ZenLateralus]

I'm not really gonna bother to write too much of a review. I can easily tell you that out of 5 where 1 is the lowest rating and 5 is the highest I cannot give this movie more than a 3 at best. If the ratings were out of 10 I don't think I'd give it more than a 5 at best. The only things I liked about this movie was the story, the foreign main (good and bad) actors were good, and the fact that Steven Seagal was in it. Other than that I could name a dozen reasons as to why I don't think this movie was any better than Out for a Kill and The Foreigner. If it was any better it was just because of the story line and the other actors. Here's a review I wrote for another site:

First of all let me remind everyone that I'm a huge fan of Seagal and own almost all of his movies (except for some of the most recent). I used to buy every Seagal movie that came out to the store but now (after seeing The Foreigner) I rent all of them. While I did enjoy this movie more than The Foreigner and Out For A Kill I cannot really say if I liked it better than Ticker. It is probably almost as good of a movie as Belly of the Beast but, if I were you I'd put your money into BOTB. Steven Seagal does much more acting in either of BOTB and Ticker than OOR. One thing that is an issue with me is the voice-overs. There seems to be two different people who do Seagal's voice-overs throughout the movie and that is a bummer. I could see fixing one...maybe two spots in the film but the voice editing was throughout. Even though this is an enjoyable story I find that Seagal's fight scenes (are there really only two martial art fight scenes?) aren't his usual. I was, to say the least, disappointed in the final fight scene. Other than the voice editing which I totally don't enjoy in a movie and the not so well fight scenes (the camera shots play a roll in this) this is a decent movie to rent and watch if you are a fan of Steven Seagal. Otherwise, I'm not sure why you would even be interested in this film. Steven Seagal does have a few more direct to video movies coming out in the next year or so which sound interesting to say the least and there is talk of one going to the theaters which I'm sure I'll enjoy.

Sorry folks. I still consider myself a big Steven Seagal fan but we'll see if his movies get better quality than this. I thought I saw someone say this movie was better than anything else since Exit Wounds. I'm sorry, I must disagree.

[Amos Stevens]

Well-as I read in a new thread that was started today-yes Seagals movies have changed over the years..CALMED down greatly to sum it up.
Out of Reach was enjoyable,but not his old action that we have known. And a lot of voice dubbing & doubles used just for walking by..if there was a good/logical reason for this,that would be one thing,but we are kept in the dark as his movie fans.
Atleast the few fight scenes in this movie weren't in the dark as it was in Ticker :)
Story line has been basically done before,but good ending to a Seagal movie.

[jhogan]

Dear Jhogan,

For example generally we see the end of the films

"these characters and places......." something like this !! They didn't put this !! What is the meaning of ???
"All characters and places are correct in this film..." !!!

Can you understand ?? May be you can accept this situation I am sorry I can't !!

first Official Site and now this movie !!! OK !!! Not important !!!
I closed this page !!

suzi

The film actually did say at the end that "All characters are ficticious, etc...".

[jhogan]

I finally saw this film, and it was terrible at best. The voice dubbing has reached new heights. From first in The Foreigner to every film since. I think most of Seagal's words were not spoken by Seagal himself. Too little fighting - and those that exist were kinda slow; Seagal is back to his slow moving days. And his stunt double did a forward roll. Why didn't Seagal do it, especially since he did it in Belly, I don't know.

And for those who think he lost weight - he actually looks heavier than he did in Belly. His face sometimes looks thinner but that is because of his shorter hair.

He clearly is doing films for money only and cares nothing of the quality or the insulting of his fans.

All I can say is, if he is getting $4,000,000 for these films, where do I sign up ?

I am done with his films.

[dvix-city]

out of reach
wahts up with his voice
in the film its sounds lake
he is dieing of some thing
dvix-city

[suziwong]

The film actually did say at the end that "All characters are ficticious, etc...".


OK !! You are right sorry !!!

[Lotussan]

I agree all the dubbing was heartbreaking, but I just really want to know why it's happening...
And why they had to use so many different voices and not just one...
There were a few that sounded ok, and then there were some that made me laugh...
He's never a dissapointment to this girl, not ever, but see, those voices just are not him...
No one else with ever substitute for him, at least not for me...
I guess that's why it's such a bummer when the use a double or a different voice, they at least have to come closer and be more realistic, and they aren't doing that...
I thought the doubles in Belly and HPD were great, but these other films, no....
We are his fans, and when we don't get him, well, it's just not the same thing...
I did like him in it though, as always, he was exciting and charming, and very caring as well...
I am just really so thankful to see him making these movies, that is all...
I am off to watch some of OOR soon...
And I'll be smiling as ever...
He's always a such joy for me...:)

[suziwong]

I am not a problem with voice but I don't like double stunt. In some of the fight scenes its OK !! all stars are using duble !! can be acceptable !! But not necessary for the other parts !! example: stunt double is walking in the forrest instead of Steven! Why ?? I didn't like OOR !!!

on the other hand I accept Seagal doesn't make a film for his fans !! I believe It's a big mistake for him because he is loosing fans and Market!!! May be it is not important for you or Mr. Seagal but I changed my mind about him !!
My favorite is still Belly Of The Beast after the Exit Wounds !!

[ZenLateralus]

Well, as an old fan I'm certainly going to continue renting Seagal's future movie's at video stores. I'm just not going to expect much. I don't know why he makes those decisions but Seagal has to try to care more about the final product and maybe put some more time and effort into it even if it is at a loss. Hell, he would make more money on the films and get better contracts if he took a small financial or time loss to work on the present project.

[Lotussan]

Suzi, I am sad, how can you say this...I will never change my mind about him, because I think it is not all his decisions...He works very hard! I am sure maybe he is smarter than some people controlling these things, maybe he needs to say more...But I am still and always proud of him! What he does cannot be easy....And most of all I love him! I will never abandon him...I will support him no matter what...Always first with me, and never am I dissapointed...These stunt doubles and voices were not good enough for him! Exactly!

[suziwong]

Suzi, I am sad, how can you say this...I will never change my mind about him, because I think it is not all his decisions...He works very hard! I am sure maybe he is smarter than some people controlling these things, maybe he needs to say more...But I am still and always proud of him! What he does cannot be easy....And most of all I love him! I will never abandon him...I will support him no matter what...Always first with me, and never am I dissapointed...These stunt doubles and voices were not good enough for him! Exactly!

Lotus I am sad too. the reasons why I changed my mind are different !!
Please don't mix it with that !! People should respect each other !! How important they are !!


He works very hard! I am sure maybe he is smarter than some people controlling these things, maybe he needs to say more......

sorry but I am not with you if he was smart he should have controlled it !!! Steven Seagal is a wise man and he is also producer in many of his films!!!
of course he knows what he does !!
Too many fans are here they are thinking he is not making a movies for his fans. According too many people there is something wrong with it!! Sorry but it is not my personal opinion. so he is working very hard can you explain for whom ???

peace
suzi

[Hallarian]

I liked most of the movie. I also liked the sword play which shows an unusual dual between one swordsman fighting Japanese style and the other fighting the classical European style. In college I fenced (foils) of course because woman have a hard time with sabers (not enough deltoid muscle they told me). I really enjoyed the duel and the other fighting was good enough for me but I'm a poor judge. I also thought Steven looked nice in a suit and tie. I thought the kids were great too. I was very touched watching him rescue the little hawk.

[Serena]

I liked most of the movie. I also liked the sword play which shows an unusual dual between one swordsman fighting Japanese style and the other fighting the classical European style. In college I fenced (foils) of course because woman have a hard time with sabers (not enough deltoid muscle they told me). I really enjoyed the duel and the other fighting was good enough for me but I'm a poor judge. I also thought Steven looked nice in a suit and tie. I thought the kids were great too. I was very touched watching him rescue the little hawk.

I'm VERY glad to hear that you enjoyed this, Hallarian. :) I still haven't seen it yet, but it's great to hear something positive for a change.

[Baseball Lady]

Serena,

I just got the movie yesterday and watched it. I didn't like the voice overs of the letter scenes, but I enjoyed the movie. It didn't have as much violence as some of his films. THe sowrd fight was pretty good. Now we know not to mess with Hallarian -- she can wield a sword!!!

Baseball lady

[TDWoj]

Hey, BB Lady! Good to see you back!

[Rodrigo]

BB Lady sometimes shows she enjoys the pop-in.. :)

Now, Suzi, I´m very sad to see you are disapointed with OOR, and I´m also touched cause Turkey doesn´t deserve that treatment, it´s my second country in my heart and always will be.

Let´s hope Into the Sun can take him Into the right direction and success...

Rodrigo

[suziwong]

BB Lady sometimes shows she enjoys the pop-in.. :)

Now, Suzi, I´m very sad to see you are disapointed with OOR, and I´m also touched cause Turkey doesn´t deserve that treatment, it´s my second country in my heart and always will be.

Let´s hope Into the Sun can take him Into the right direction and success...

Rodrigo

Thank you very much Rodrigo I'm very sad too I don't want to believe this but it is true !! He was my hero !! :(

sincerely
suzi

[najemnik]

Hi I watched movie and it's not bad, it's better than Foreigner, but why sometimes is diffrent voice? not real voice of Steven

[TDWoj]

Hi I watched movie and it's not bad, it's better than Foreigner, but why sometimes is diffrent voice? not real voice of Steven
Hi, najemnik. The dubbing's been an ongoing problem ever since Foreigner; I think Out of Reach is so far the worst one for that.

Simply put, Steven isn't bothering to do any follow-up post-production work so if anything needs to be recorded that isn't dialogue while on the set - like the voice-overs in OOR - or re-recorded in case the sound wasn't right, that's just too bad. Hence, dubbing. Lots of dubbing. Lots and lots and lots of dubbing.

-TD, :mad:

[Serena]

Serena,

I just got the movie yesterday and watched it. I didn't like the voice overs of the letter scenes, but I enjoyed the movie. It didn't have as much violence as some of his films. THe sowrd fight was pretty good. Now we know not to mess with Hallarian -- she can wield a sword!!!

Baseball lady

Hey, you!!! I wasn't around yesterday, but it sure is good to see your post today! Hope you and your family are doing well. :) Sure wish you would come around more often.

I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed Out of Reach!! I respect your opinion, as well as Hallarian's, Kathy, Kat, Reservoir Dog, and a few of the others who overall liked this movie. Sounds like you look at it the way I do--just entertainment. I think some people are actually worried about saying they liked it, in the midst of all the negative reviews. Nice to see another positive comment. :)

And nice to see you again. :)

[Reservoir Dog]

David Cornelius- Amazing Collosal Webstie


OUT OF REACH *
2004 - R - 86 min. - Franchise - dir. Po Chih Leong

The worst Steven Seagal movie yet. End of story.

RENT INSTEAD: Anything.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: Anything else.

[Lotussan]

David is a collosal clod, it was not a bad movie...
The story was touching and the little girl was charming and so was Steven...
I think I liked it about the same as I liked OFAK...
But I did like the OFAK swordfight a tad bit better than this one...
The only thing I did not like about OFAK was the dark look to the whole film, dark mood, and some er, dark reality, like the tatoo parlor and the girls therein...
Of course I liked OFAK and OOR better than I liked HTK, but that's just me...

[Reservoir Dog]

David is a collosal clod, it was not a bad movie...
The story was touching and the little girl was charming and so was Steven...
I think I liked it about the same as I liked OFAK...
But I did like the OFAK swordfight a tad bit better than this one...
The only thing I did not like about OFAK was the dark look to the whole film, dark mood, and some er, dark reality, like the tatoo parlor and the girls therein...
Of course I liked OFAK and OOR better than I liked HTK, but that's just me...


Relax, it's just his opinion. He didn't say it was a bad movie, he said it was the worst Steven Seagal movie. You don't have to insult people because they disagree wtih you. I gurantee 9.5/10 on this site would say that "Hard to Kill" is better than all of Seagal's DTV, but we don't call you a clod, do we?

[Lotussan]

As you said, an opinion is an opinion, so if I think his DTV filsms are more interesting, that's my right, and if I think the way the reviewer expresses his opinion is cloddish,
then that's also my right...There are ways of saying things, and imo, this guys way stinks...

[Reservoir Dog]

George Parker
Orange County, CA USA

Date: 31 July 2004
Summary: Seagal reaches new low

Seagal reaches a new low in "Out of Reach" in which he plays a guy with a past (we don't know what exactly) who hangs out in a forest and looks for injured animals so he can heal them while communing with nature. He also corresponds via snail mail with a young girl in a Polish orphanage. When she is sold into slavery, Seagal has to travel to Poland where, of course, he gets to hang out with a babe, shoot it out with a bunch of heavies, and do some hokey martial arts stuff as well as try to act and conceal his big, fat gut. A sorry attempt at film making, "Out of Reach" has too many deficits to list here. Suffice it to say this B-flick is probably not worth your time and will probably be the last Seagal flick I'll be watching. (C-)


If Seagal wasn't planning on retiring after "Submerged", he just might have to. I feel very sad that this movie is not well recieved. I actually enjoyed it, but many people didnt, and the fewer sales they get, the lower the budget on the films will be, until they stop making them altogether. OOR had a 20 million dollar budget as opposed to the upcoming "Submerged" which only has 15 million.

[Lotussan]

Oh please, he's lost so much weight, this
guy must be dumb and blind...
Anyone can see he didn't even have a gut, at least I didn't see any of it, of course I'm looking at his face so much, but...
What an idiot he's obviously just looking for cheap things to say...

[Reservoir Dog]

I enjoyed the movie, but I can see how some people wouldnt. Constructive criticism would have been nicer than just insulting him, but if Seagal is losing fans, maybe he needs the wake up call. As far as his weight is concerned, he was no more overweight than he was in "Under Siege 2" but he was a lot slimmer in "Exit Wounds". Apparently, his weight bothers people, and if it causes him to lose money, maybe he will do something about it.

[Lotussan]

I don't think he looked slimmer in Exit Wounds, but whatever...His weight is a non-issue with me.

[Reservoir Dog]

Seagal in Exit Wounds : 2001
http://www.cinetalk.org/images/exit_wounds01.jpg



Seagal at Ray Charles's funearl: 2004

c

[Lotussan]

I am talking about versus his weight in OOR...

[Reservoir Dog]

I am talking about versus his weight in OOR...

When was OOR filmed? Anyway, the weight gain was progressive, he didnt gain it ALL back after OOR. That would be impossible.

[TDWoj]

Seagal in Exit Wounds : 2001
http://www.cinetalk.org/images/exit_wounds01.jpg



Seagal at Ray Charles's funearl: 2004

c

Darn those litte red x's.

[Lotussan]

When was OOR filmed? Anyway, the weight gain was progressive, he didnt gain it ALL back after OOR. That would be impossible.

Very, very, very, impossible....

[rgray_aikido]

People seem to think that if Seagal would lose weight he would start doing his own fight sequences but he was thinner in exit wounds and still used the double, he was thinner in Out of Reach and still used the double and i'm sure he will be thinner in Into The Sun and still use doubles. It doesn't matter whether he's thin or not the doubles are here to stay and we are going to have to accept it. Seagal is 50 years old, these movies are low budget, and with the cost of insurance the producers can't afford to have the movie shut down while the star recovers from injuries. Seagal hurt his knee doing a simple wire stunt in exit wounds and so i think he doesn't want to take anymore chances. If you watched Chuck Norris at the end of his career when he was making low budget movies and Walker Texas Ranger he had a double doing all his fighting also. But that doesn't excuse him from completing any post production work on his films. If they need him to redo his dialog then he should go to a studio and do it. It will only take a few hours, he can't be that busy. He needs to care about the final product instead of just taking the pay check and running.

[Lotussan]

Well, if they needed dubbers in the first place, then they needed them, I just don't really know why they needed them, though I have a few ideas...
I guess we never will really...My dad says it could be because the film is filmed in a foreign country and some polish or whatever language they are in the country of, will be inserted therein...The polish are likely NOT stuck on Steven's voice, and most of the average film watchers probably aren't either...Me, well, I have that voice in my head whispering sweet nothin's----:D But most people probably wouldn't even care or notice the dubs...I am thinking they wouldn't anyhow, maybe that's what Steven is thinking too...Yes, I would have preferred he do them over, but I am guessing that he is doing these films for a reason, so maybe there are factors involved in his schedule or his life we know nothing about, he's a very secretive man...Hey, never know, maybe he's got a top secret job moonlighting
and he really is way too busy to be going back into the studio, eh?

[Reservoir Dog]

People seem to think that if Seagal would lose weight he would start doing his own fight sequences but he was thinner in exit wounds and still used the double, he was thinner in Out of Reach and still used the double and i'm sure he will be thinner in Into The Sun and still use doubles. It doesn't matter whether he's thin or not the doubles are here to stay and we are going to have to accept it. Seagal is 50 years old, these movies are low budget, and with the cost of insurance the producers can't afford to have the movie shut down while the star recovers from injuries. Seagal hurt his knee doing a simple wire stunt in exit wounds and so i think he doesn't want to take anymore chances. If you watched Chuck Norris at the end of his career when he was making low budget movies and Walker Texas Ranger he had a double doing all his fighting also. But that doesn't excuse him from completing any post production work on his films. If they need him to redo his dialog then he should go to a studio and do it. It will only take a few hours, he can't be that busy. He needs to care about the final product instead of just taking the pay check and running.




Seagal is a world class martial artist. He was one of the first mainstream martial artists trained in aikido. He was choreographer on "Above the Law" and the fight scenes did not require doubles. I think the choreographers on his newer films don't consider his style, and the fighting does not look as good. I am sure Seagal, if he was in his best possible shape, could still pull of martial arts. If not, this is very sad news, because I always thought Seagal was a legendary fighter.

[TDWoj]

My understanding of aikido is that age doesn't matter for this discipline. Therefore, Steven should still be able to do his own thing, regardless of age (or even of condition!).

I don't think in Steven's case it's his age, or his weight (he was enormous in Out for a Kill and there was very little stunt doubling in that film). I think it's sheer laziness, or simply boredom - "been there, done that, don't have to do it any more". I don't think he even trains any more. And if you spend all day on your butt doing nothing except talking on your cell phone, you can bet the weight is going to pile on pretty damned quick.

He achieved what he set out to do: he got into the movies, he used aikido to do it, he reached, if not the top, then pretty damned near it - what else was left for him to do? No place else for him to go except down - and down he's come, thunderously. Only, I don't think he realises that just yet. And that's a shame, because I think he's still got it - he's just not wanting to use it.

[Lotussan]

He was not enormous from what I saw, and he did move very well in that film, ver, very, little doubling that I noticed....

[Reservoir Dog]

ryan larson
U.S.A

Date: 1 August 2004
Summary: Another step in the right direction...

"Out of Reach", like "Belly of the Beast", is a step in the right direction for Seagal, getting back towards that formula which made him such a success. Although the action is minimal, and yes, it is someone else's voice dubbed over Mr. Seagal's at certain points, this film gets him back to having some personality, and the story was decent.

I am not sure what is going on with "Into the Sun"-I hear limited theatrical release...yet I see "Submerged" (V) on schedule for release sometime thereafter....Even if Seagal's anticipated "Into the Sun" does well...it will be like releasing "Ticker" after Exit Wounds" all over again...as a big fan I don't understand the thinking behind this...

[Lotussan]

Thanks, Res....He's got such a lot of personality IMO, I can't imagine encountering a more stimulating man than Steven in this whole wide world...He was as charming as ever in this film, a bit more gentleness about him, and always the strong protector, and the gentleman, and I really liked that....Hey girls, what did you think of the bullet surgery?
I was impressed, as ever...:)

[Clement3000]

Thanks Reservoir Dog for another positive review, I enjoyed your review of OOR on IMDB the most, is it posted anywhere on this site????


ryan larson
U.S.A

Date: 1 August 2004
Summary: Another step in the right direction...

"Out of Reach", like "Belly of the Beast", is a step in the right direction for Seagal, getting back towards that formula which made him such a success. Although the action is minimal, and yes, it is someone else's voice dubbed over Mr. Seagal's at certain points, this film gets him back to having some personality, and the story was decent.

I am not sure what is going on with "Into the Sun"-I hear limited theatrical release...yet I see "Submerged" (V) on schedule for release sometime thereafter....Even if Seagal's anticipated "Into the Sun" does well...it will be like releasing "Ticker" after Exit Wounds" all over again...as a big fan I don't understand the thinking behind this...

[Reservoir Dog]

Thanks Reservoir Dog for another positive review, I enjoyed your review of OOR on IMDB the most, is it posted anywhere on this site????

It is posted on this site. As a matter of fact, I wrote it here, then copy and pasted it at IMDB.

[Clement3000]

Oh cool, I was just wondering because I never caught it on this site, but noticied it a couple of days ago on IMDB.



It is posted on this site. As a matter of fact, I wrote it here, then copy and pasted it at IMDB.

[TOF1977]

I just got done watching this movie and it was very intrestering to say the least. Actually it was a pretty good movie, a little shorter than most but good none the less.

Okay now about those stinking voice changes lol, okay for one if half of the movie was his own voice why didnt they just do that for the other half? lol I thought that part was really stupid lol, either do it for all the movie or not at all lol.

William Ray Lancing nn Billy Ray (AKA SS) was back to his old self again lol, I thought he did a good job.

I can't wait for Into the Sun.

[TOF1977]

All I have to say is EITHER use another person voice through out the movie or DONT but dont use it half the time and the other half not, thats just silly lol. I liked it alot though.

[TOF1977]

into the sun will have no voice overs as warner brothers will make seagal stay after post production


Thats GREAT NEWS!!! the best news I have heard since OOR came out LOL.

[Connie]

Sorry mabey i`ll missed it. When is Out of Reach realesed is Europ??


See you! Love Connie

[Kotegashi]

Hi Connie,

According to Dutch Film Works (de uitgever in Nederland) Out Of Reach will be released for rental purposes in Octobre and will be available for sale from november.

Hope this helps.

Oh, but if you can't wait until octobre try surfing the net via E-mule. I am sure it's out there somewhere.

[Lotussan]

I don't think anyone can force him to do anything,
or keep him from do anything if he wanted to do it...

[Littledragon]

People seem to think that if Seagal would lose weight he would start doing his own fight sequences but he was thinner in exit wounds and still used the double, he was thinner in Out of Reach and still used the double and i'm sure he will be thinner in Into The Sun and still use doubles. It doesn't matter whether he's thin or not the doubles are here to stay and we are going to have to accept it. Seagal is 50 years old, these movies are low budget, and with the cost of insurance the producers can't afford to have the movie shut down while the star recovers from injuries. Seagal hurt his knee doing a simple wire stunt in exit wounds and so i think he doesn't want to take anymore chances. If you watched Chuck Norris at the end of his career when he was making low budget movies and Walker Texas Ranger he had a double doing all his fighting also. But that doesn't excuse him from completing any post production work on his films. If they need him to redo his dialog then he should go to a studio and do it. It will only take a few hours, he can't be that busy. He needs to care about the final product instead of just taking the pay check and running.


I don't care what he looks like or how much he weighs, as long as he coreograhps his fight scenes using his box office Aikido moves I will be satisfied.

[Kotegashi]

I don't think it has anything to do with his weight. It probably has to do something with age and insurance companies.

A lot of stars aren't aloud to do their own fighting or stunts.

Peace

[TDWoj]

I don't think it has anything to do with his weight. It probably has to do something with age and insurance companies.

A lot of stars aren't aloud to do their own fighting or stunts.

Peace
In which case, he's finished as an action movie star.

Stars who aren't allowed to do their own fighting or stunts are usually ones who are just actors - they have no expertise in fighting. Steven is an expert martial artist. That is how he made his mark in films. That is who he is, that is what he brings to his fans, his audience.

Take that away from Steven, and what's left? People pay to see him do his thing. They don't pay to see a stunt man step in and do it for him. How enjoyable do you think Out for Justice would have been if every time there was a fight scene they pulled Steven out and substituted a stunt man? Answer: it wouldn't have been enjoyable at all.

He's perfectly capable of doing his own fighting - as bad as Out for a Kill was, he did do most of his own fighting in that film, despite being enormous. But producers these days seem to think that Matrix-style stunts and wire work is the only kind of fighting people want to see - and Steven is not built for wire work.

For everything else he's not doing - I suspect it's more a case of sheer laziness and boredom rather than issues of age and insurance that are preventing him from doing what he does best.

[Lotussan]

Steven is not a lazy person...He works very, very, hard...I know, because I am pretty lazy...Think what you like, but I know there must be a good reason for the doubles...

[Reservoir Dog]

I would like to hear a good reason for the doubles. Frankly, there isnt one. There isnt really a way to defend him on this. He HAS gotten lazy, and even if he hasnt, 99% of movie audiences think he has, which is just as bad. He isnt doing much to change his image, or satisfy his long term fans. The movies he are putting out pure garbage. If someone recommened "The Foreigner" to a person who is not usually a Seagal fan, telling them it is a good film, you would probably lose them as a friend. Same probably goes for OFAK and possibly OOR, although I liked that one. There is absolutely no excuse, there is no "deeper meaning" to his slacking off, he just doesnt care about anything but the dollar.

There are single parents who go to work everyday, sometimes 2 or more jobs, to support their kids and their family while living in an apartment in a bad neighborhood with poor schools with bad education for their children barely making ends meet and having enough food. And you feel sorry for Steven Seagal? The guy is a millionaire, who goes to Thailand and flirts with women as he chooses to, disregarding his wife and his kids, and traveling the word. I see what you mean, if I was Steven Seagal, I would probably rather be in welfare too. Because his life really is, "stressful".

[Lotussan]

I KNOW you do not want to hear what I have to say....

[Reservoir Dog]

I KNOW you do not want to hear what I have to say....

But I bet you will tell me anyway, right?

[Lotussan]

Well actually, there's no way...I just can't bear to gossip about him this way, I just can't...There must be so many issues and reasons, I am certain, that's all I can say...And the worst thing is, that we are powerless to do anything about it, that sucks...

I will say that I do think he made some of these films where he did because he was in fear, and felt that he could not safely work in this country because of the Mob issues...
Can you imagine how tough it would be to work with those thoughts weighing so heavily on your mind?
With the thoughts that your children and family could be harmed or worse?
I am sure it took it's toll on him, and made it very hard on him to concentrate on his work...
I feel so bad for him having to be on the run like that, the thought that he distanced himself from his family to protect them...
I think it must have been/or must be so lonely for him, and that thought just kills me...

[Connie]

Thanks kotegashi.... I`ll wait for it.......


Love Connie

[Clement3000]

Reviews (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/index.php) » DVD Video Reviews (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/list.php?reviewType=DVD+Video) » Out of Reachhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifOut of Reach Columbia/Tri-Star (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/studio.php?ID=21) // R // $24.96 // July 20, 2004http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifReview by Carl Davis (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/bio.php?ID=101&reviewID=11792) | posted August 3, 2004 | E-mail the Author (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/feedback.php?ID=101&reviewID=11792) | Start a Discussion (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/post.php?ID=11792)http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/covers/B000255LCK.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000255LCK/dvdtalk)function popUp(URL,NAME) N T

It's a split second between hit or miss.
What that tantalizing tagline has to do with Steven Seagal’s latest Direct-to-Video opus, Out of Reach, I have yet to figure out. Clocking in at a brief 86 minutes, it should probably read “a split second from Start to Finish”, except for the fact that Seagal really knows how to slow things down, way down, for added Drama, I guess. He’s the only person that could make a gripping, action-drama about the vile, underground, human trafficking crisis in Europe as funny as his tongue-in-cheek Mountain Dew commercial… unintentionally, of course. Sadly, it was this very same commercial that kind of renewed my interest in Seagal’s work. The man is literally responsible for about twenty-five percent of the wall space at Blockbuster these days, with titles such as Half Past Dead, Out For a Kill, The Foreigner and Belly of the Beast. After watching , I see why these are never rented out.

Seagal plays Billy Ray Lancing, a former CSA(?) agent living as a survivalist, deep in the woods. He is presented to us as a kind man and nature lover, as he frees a trapped falcon and nurses the bird back to health. We find out that his compassion isn’t limited to animals, as he is also the sponsor of an orphaned girl, Irena (Ida Nowakowska), in Poland. They write letters back and forth to one another, and he sends her secret codes to try and decipher. Gee, I wonder if that will play a role later in the movie? To show the bond between these two, their correspondence to each other are often read aloud in voiceover. Hilariously, Seagal, the actor PLAYING Lancing, doesn’t even do the readings of the character’s letters!

When he gets a letter from the orphanage saying that Irena can't write to him anymore, he becomes suspicious and travels to Poland where he stumbles upon a human trafficking network, run under the cover of the United Allied Nations. Faisal (Matt Schultze), the leader of this underground organization, has kidnapped all the girls from the orphanage and intends to sell them into a life of (implied) sexual slavery. He seems to share a secret past with Seagal, whom he often refers to as “The American.” It’s amazing what is implied in this movie, since it’s all so despicable, like when Faisal and Irena play chess and then he drugs her juice. Nothing is shown or said after that, but there has to be some depravity going on here, people.

Prepare to suspend your disbelief, as Seagal continues to search for Irena, even though he’s not even sure she’s in trouble and amazingly, Irena leaves him a trail of secret messages even though she doesn’t know he’s looking for her. He eventually goes to the police, where he is partnered with a female cop, without even disclosing that he is a retired espionage agent. The Aikido fights are all shown in slow-mo and the action scenes are generally unimpressive. The final fight with Faisal is probably the best in the movie, as it’s a sword duel, a la Lone Wolf and Cub, where both warriors run past one another, then stand with their backs turned until someone falls over dead. Speaking of Lone Wolf and Cub, Seagal is so big at this point that he could probably play a decent Ogami Itto, so Aronofsky, if you’re listening… why not tap the big guy for your new Lone Wolf and Cub project?

Seagal is definitely at a crossroads in his career right now, having several big budget, studio pictures under his belt (Hard to Kill, Under Siege, Exit Wounds), but currently being relegated to Direct-to-Video Hell (Ticker, Out For a Kill, The Foreigner). I just don’t get it, since we all know that Seagal is the real deal, receiving his first Aikido dan accreditation in 1974 under the instruction of Harry Ishisaka, and reaching 7th level dan in the years thereafter. Even with Out of Reach’s $20 million budget, exotic Polish locations and Po Chih Leong’s adequate directing, there is very little that makes you sit up and notice anything but the lame-brained plot devices and ham-fisted acting, throughout. Thankfully the movie is short, unresolved plotlines and all, at just 86 minutes.

The DVD:

Picture: The movie is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The colors are crisp and clear, except darker scenes where the black looks a little murky.

Audio: English 5.1 Dolby digital. There are no other language and no subtitle tracks. This DVD features a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, which sounds fine.

Extras: There are preview trailers for 4 other Steven Seagal Direct-to-Video pictures: Half Past Dead, The Foreigner, Out For a Kill and Belly of the Beast. There is also a trailer for a Direct-to-Video Thriller, titled 3 Way.

Conclusion: Out of Reach isn’t a bad waste of time, but it is a bad waste of talent. Steven Seagal really needs to start reaching deep and delivering more than just these slap-dash action flicks. I would say that Out of Reach is a definite rental for Steven Seagal fans or those anti-fans out there that just love to see the man stumble and fall through another role like this one. Personally, I’m going to see if I can catch that Mountain Dew commercial again.

M O V I E http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/2.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifV I D E O http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/3.5.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifA U D I O http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/3.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifE X T R A S http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/0.5.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifR E P L A Y http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/1.gif http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifA D V I C E Rent It http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gifhttp://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/blank.gif

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=11792

[Reservoir Dog]

Funny how the "Mountain Dew Commercial" actually helped restore interest in Seagal from disgruntled fans. Sadly, the commercial aired too son, before his DTV movies, but not close enough to the release of "Into the Sun". The guy is right, and the review was done well, he is apparently a fan of Seagal's earlier work. I dont know how many more movies Seagal is planning on putting out, but if the fans are starting to lose interest in his films, I dont think there will be very many.

[TDWoj]

Well, my copy of Out of Reach arrived today, so after I'm finished work today...

-TD, not actually looking forward to seeing this film

[TDWoj]

Okay, done working, seen the film, and....

Well, there's 86 minutes of my life I'll never get back again.

I honestly don't know how to review this film. It wasn't bad enough to give it a bad review, and it wasn't good enough to give it a good review.

The story was okay; this should have been an action thriller, or at the very least a suspense film with some action in it, but it was neither. There wasn't enough action in it to call it an action film, and there wasn't enough suspense in it to keep me, well, engaged in the suspense.

Best thing I can say about it was that at least Steven wasn't sleepwalking through this film the way he was in Out for a Kill; and he was on his feet more minutes than he was in Belly of the Beast.

Seeing Steven have his hair done up in a bun was also a bit distracting. Normally, I don't comment on his appearance when I review his films, but I have to say that 'do was really unattractive, and made a boring movie even harder to watch because I kept staring at the hair in fascinated horror instead of paying attention to what was going on, which was usually not much of anything.

Oh, yes. I said boring.

I kept thinking I'd heard some of the dialogue before, and I had - in The Patriot. (Well, I suppose one way of getting around the dubbing is to use dialogue from his other movies, and borrow the tracks from that. Hey, there's an idea....). It was hopelessly banal and very much maid-and-butler - characters telling each other things they already knew so that the audience has some idea of what's going on. I noticed it particularly in the very beginning when we have the voice-over of the little girl reading her letter. I mean, really - not a snowball's chance in hell a twelve-year-old girl would write something like that.

(I know one has to suspend one's disbelief when watching such films, but it doesn't have to be hung by the neck until it strangles, either.)

One thing I noticed was that while there wasn't necessarily anything wrong with each scene individually (other than the fact that the dialogue was nearly inaudible besides being banal), the way they were stitched together made me think of a patchwork quilt where all the pieces are supposed to fit together, but each piece is just slightly "off", ending up with something that should have had straight seams and square corners and instead ended up crookedly sewn and lopsided.

One of the things I have noticed in these dtv efforts that I miss terribly from his earlier films is intensity. Steven's performances used to be really, really intense. He was so into the roles he played he just exuded magnetism and screen presence. He was so "there", that there almost wasn't any room for anyone else on the screen. Fight scenes were filmed with the camera backed up enough so you could see all of him rain destruction on everything around him, from the poor *******s who thought they could take him out to the furniture and fixtures in the room where the fight took place. Scenes in between had him doing more things than just sitting in the back of a car, or walking into an empty white room and stealing an envelope (gee, that was exciting. He stole an envelope. Wow.)

The fight scenes were done either in very close so you couldn't really see what was going on; or backed up so far in order to conceal the fact that it was a stunt man and not Steven.

And while I said Steven wasn't sleepwalking through this film, he didn't look like he was terribly interested in what was going on, either. It's hard to define, exactly; it was almost as if his mind was on something else. (Frankly, he looked hungover throughout the entire film, so that might have been it.)

(There's a brief glimpse of the Asian girlfriend in the ball scene, coming in behind him on the right of the screen. I notice these things, I can't help it. Back in the day, Arissa, besides having actual lines in On Deadly Ground, was also in The Glimmerman and The Patriot, though both times seen from behind-the hair was unmistakable. Looks like he's doing it again with the current companion.)

The elements in Steven's dtv films are becoming predictable. A couple of hand-to-hand fights, usually short and unremarkable; a sword fight; a gun battle or two, filmed static and dull. The only thing this film didn't have was a car chase.

As I said, taken as a whole, it wasn't bad enough to be a bad film; but it wasn't good, either. And if this is the sort of thing we can go on expecting from him, I really, honestly think he should quit. I can't take any more rubbishy unenjoyable time-wasters like this.

...actually, better yet: if he doesn't want to do strictly action films anymore, let me know, and I'll write something for him. I'm just itching to do it....

Rating: 2.5 out of 5. How's that for sitting on the fence? (Ow...)

-TD, underwhelmed