Seagal Reviews from Amazon.ca
Seagal comes in from the cold - A must see!!!, July 14, 2004
Reviewer: ron starkey from 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!!!
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kinda slow and loose this time, but still watchable, July 17, 2004
Reviewer: justareader from 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.
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Mr. Seagal goes Warsaw - It's very cool!!!, July 18, 2004
Reviewer: Cathy Exonis from 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!