I miss the old steven seagal and my LONG opinion on current SS

[aikidoboynj]

I cant begin to tell you guys how much i miss the old school Steven Seagal...Not the guy who is fighting every ecological problem in the world, I mean the rough tough guy attitude. I miss Nico and John Hatcher i guess... I really dont understand it and really cant stand it that with all this mans skill and knowledge that he cant shed a few pounds? He cant get in shape maybe get a hair cut once in a while, im not opposed to the pony tail , Id love to see it come back but i mean this over flowing mass of hair not only looks messy on screen it looks very unprofessional. I lately saw out for a kill, and I didn't really enjoy it to say the least... I love Steven Seagal but I think he has made the worst choices that an action star could ever make. He looks very messy now, very tired and puffy and just plain old out of shape. I watched OFAK with a friend of mine who also enjoys a good Steven Seagal movie but not the "Fire Down Below" or "The Patriot" Steven Seagal I mean the REAL Steven Seagal, you might remember the one? He wore blue jeans, a black leather jacket not a leather ROBE!! He also just wore normal black boots or sneakers. Listen to me closely, as much as all the "Award winning" movie genres dont want you to know there is still an audience for a "Nico Toscani" style Steven Seagal, everyone I know is sick of the current state of action movies or should i say wired fighting movies, If Steven Seagal got into great shape not exit wounds lose 20 pounds and call it a day.... my mother could lose 20 pounds in a few months and she works ten times harder. If he made a movie with the original and proven to work STEVEN SEAGAL formula that he used all through out his earlier career and not like you guys havent noticed he was on top of the world as far as Action movies went... He'd be on top again-YES he'll have to lose weight but more then that he'll have to GET in shape, yeah he'll have to dress like he used to, and YES he is going to have to cut off all those flowing locks of hair or atleast get his trade mark pony tail back(NEATLY see MFD/HTK). Oh yeah and one more thing that asskicking aikido and that asskicking take no **** from noone attitude(Who cares what his higher buddhists think about it its just a MOVIE!! you know what im saying?) Seagal doesnt even move fast on the screen anymore and I know that this man can still be impressive as he was in his prime(Van Damme can still pull a nice kick and hasn't he aged alongside SS?)the man knows Aikido like the back of his hand if anything his skills have only gotten better and he has only learned so more in the last ten years he still has it...Getting back to his image who knows maybe get a lil nip and tuck here, just like Stallone and Arnold and all the others have done in the past too, will you think anything negative of it... Alot of people think Steven Seagal is washed up, I dont think he is in the least-that is if he does what I've said in this post I KNOW there will be an audience for him once again, and even if there isn't atleast we wouldnt have to sit threw any more OBLOWITZ or whatever his name is movies man oh man this guy couldn't direct an action movie with classes from John Mctiernan(Yeah the die hard guy)!! Think about it when was the last time you saw an action flick that was really an action flick not some movie where some guy flys around on wires and can do things that probably SUPERMAN couldnt pull off and uhh by the way did i mention that SUPERMAN COULDNT PULL THEM OFF...Those arent action movies those are just what I like to call crap... People wanna see a good action movie. Look at 007 they've used the same formula for years and he is as popular as ever...Steven Seagal has a formula that will work but I know If he doesn't use it ever again its as good as dead and so is any credibility of the man who was unbeatable in my eyes... Don't get me wrong I dont want this to come across the wrong way, Steven Seagal is my FN man he is just the best, but I really do think its time to get back to the basics before its to far gone...
Im sorry if this offended any of you, but Ive talked to alot of members on here who believe as I do and its simply my opinion so take it for what its worth not a flame on anyone a simple opinion on the current Steven Seagal and what he was, and;or could have been...

If you read this Far...Thanks, Id love to hear other Steven Seagal fans on the matter at hand and please dont respond with the "Its his life, Ill like him either way style" responses because I feel that way too but I know that things could be alot better. Thank you again, Sal

 

[Nassau Mike]

I too miss the old "Hard to Kill" Seagal and the action movies he made with big budgets but those days are gone.."Into the Sun" and maybe "Out of Reach" may be better looking movies than what he did this past year but in any event I think we have to be happy that Seagal at 52 is still making action movies or any movies for that matter..Stallone, Arnie, Norris are all gone and Van Damm is just as good as gone..Seagal is still hanging on and putting out the occassional theatrical release(i.e. "Into the Sun")..
He's not gonna get 50-80 million dollar budgets with Warner Bros anymore..50 and over is usually a death sentence for action heros and he has done well to prolong his career the way he has..
I dont see Seagal as being very overweight..He is a little overweight but not to the point where the critics are exagerating it to be..There are a lot of fat and overweight martial artists out there that can kick some serious ass..Fumio Demura has been a chubby guy for a long time but he is also one hell of a martial artist. A lot of these skinny guys would'nt last a minute with Seagal in a real duel and who is gonna take Seagal off his feet-not the Van Damms or Jet Li's of the world, thats for sure..
I think Seagal has aged gracefully and he not gonna be the same as he was in his 30's ever again(thats life and it happens to all of us).
What Seagal really needs is better directors around him..I still cant believe that this Annikan Skywalker has been tabbed to direct Ghenghis Khan..I'd prefer to see Seagal direct it-he knows what he wants and how he wants it filmed and he would be a huge upgrade over Annikan. But with budgets of $20 mil and under your not gonna get the best directors or the best filming sites or the best special effects..I think "Into the Sun" will be a pretty good Seagal film and "Belly of the Beast" looks like an improvement over the last "Out for a Kill".

 

[aikidoboynj]

But if im not mistaken werent his older movies pretty cheap when it came to action flicks...Like Above the Law, Marked for death and Hard to kill and so on?
I know that Under Siege was expensive and the second one to but I thought that Seagals budjets then werent to crazy? But maybe im wrong. I still think even at 50 he should try and get back into better shape and if he continues to make these movies well hell atleast look the best u can right? lol but yeah i understand your point on the money, I guess that is the one thing i hadnt given much thought to...

 

[gunslinger]

I think there's something a lot of us fans forget. Yes, it is great that a man in his fifties is still cranking out flicks for his fans but surely we all deserve better than the last three films he's put out. There's no reason why his new films can't be great. As someone pointed out Seagal's earlier films were very inexpensive. I think Above the Law and Hard to Kil were budgeted at just over/under $10 million and they were great.

His later films seem to exist only because the people involved need money. BAD. The quality of these films seems to be secondary to just getting paid otherwise why would he sign on to do four movies a year?

Surely someone who's about to make four films a year would realise that the quality of these movies may suffer due to their frequency.

I don't want to disrespect a man we all like but he's gotta change something. Soon.

I'd be happy if he just chose better scripts to make.

 

[Disciple]

I too would love to see a back to basics Seagal movie. The fact of the matter is, the films he's doing now are formula vehicles that are designed to sell to a certain niche home video audience. Nobody involved really seems to take any pride in them at all. And Sensei does need to lose some weight if he's to be taken seriously as an action star. He does not need to lose weight to be happy in his life (which is most important in the end) but if he does want to be back as ruler of the action film world he does need to show some discipline. Personally I would like to see him get back to the Exit Wounds size and look, because that is a realistic goal for him to get to for a man of his age and size.

As far as Sensei's future career goes, even if he stays at this weight, I sincerely believe we will see him again on the big screen. Either in a villain role (something he would be GREAT at... imagine him as a mafia boss, or Kill Bill style martial arts villain), or another supporting role in a major movie. It is very common for actors who disappear from the limelight for a few years to make a "comeback" in a role that they are perfectly suited to, and once again be back on top.

Look at John Travolta after he did Pulp Fiction. What I'm saying is, Seagal needs his Pulp Fiction.

 

[Sleeping Fox]

I didn't bother to read most of you blow hards up there, but I know the general concensus of you people lol. and people in general.
Everyone seems to forget, celebrities are Human beings too, and like every human being(well most) they change too, which means they might get bored of making the same sh1te over and over again...granted stevies repeated the past few things over and over again....lol but I think belly of the beast will restore some hope.

And for christ sake, stop bitching, you all should be glad the man is still making films for your ungreatful hides.

Be happy with what you get. Or I'ma gonna snap your bones like he does in some of his films.

 

[steve]

I would have to agree

I would have to agree with the original post, Seagal is great fun to watch no matter what but I would love to see him back in his old style trimmed down as it's only then we're gonna see some decent fighting again. Here are some things I would love to see him back as he was:

- trim down to at least Exit Wounds level as he seemed much more athletic and up for it
- he needs to swear more as he never does anymore as this goes a long way to making him a tougher character
- he needs to be ruthless again cracking put-downs on enemies and breaking lots of limbs
- he needs to be as far away as is humanly possible from hack directors like Michael Oblobobloboblowitz
- I for one would welcome his ponytail back too
- he needs to be in America making his films not in Poland, France or bleedin Zambia
- he needs as one person said to wear cool clothes like leather jackets and jeans like he used to

Don't get me wrong I'm one of his biggest fans, I have so many different versions of his films and watch them so often it's ridiculous. I'll watch and love his stuff no matter what but I would just love the old style Nico Toscanis, John Hatchers, Gino Felinos and Mason Storms to return. Under Siege whoever mentioned it wasn't that expensive a film to make, I think $12 million as its budget which isn't much for what became a blockbuster. Just putting it into context how can Out For a Kill cost twice as much to make and look about 80 times as cheap (and be a fraction as good),

Steve

 

[Nassau Mike]

I would have to agree with the original post, Seagal is great fun to watch no matter what but I would love to see him back in his old style trimmed down as it's only then we're gonna see some decent fighting again. Here are some things I would love to see him back as he was:

- trim down to at least Exit Wounds level as he seemed much more athletic and up for it
- he needs to swear more as he never does anymore as this goes a long way to making him a tougher character
- he needs to be ruthless again cracking put-downs on enemies and breaking lots of limbs
- he needs to be as far away as is humanly possible from hack directors like Michael Oblobobloboblowitz
- I for one would welcome his ponytail back too
- he needs to be in America making his films not in Poland, France or bleedin Zambia
- he needs as one person said to wear cool clothes like leather jackets and jeans like he used to

Don't get me wrong I'm one of his biggest fans, I have so many different versions of his films and watch them so often it's ridiculous. I'll watch and love his stuff no matter what but I would just love the old style Nico Toscanis, John Hatchers, Gino Felinos and Mason Storms to return. Under Siege whoever mentioned it wasn't that expensive a film to make, I think $12 million as its budget which isn't much for what became a blockbuster. Just putting it into context how can Out For a Kill cost twice as much to make and look about 80 times as cheap (and be a fraction as good),

Steve

Actually Seagal made around $12 million for Under Siege. The budget was definately over 40 mil and over 50 mil for under siege 2 and On Deadly Ground cost a little over $40 million..
Above the Law was a very small film that had a limited release and an unknown star at the time..A lot of his early films had a budget around $40 mil and that today would be around 60-80 mil and thats out of the question now for him..

 

[Nassau Mike]

I think getting around the weight he was in Exit Wounds is great if he is gonna be on a theatrically released film..Hopefully for "Into the Sun" he will be back to around that size..
I think we all know now also that the big studios are no longer bombarding him with big action movie scripts anymore..None of the eighties action stars are getting their doors knocked down anymore..Stallone cant get a film made anymore and has to take cameos in children's films just to show his face..
Seagal is doing films right now just for the money and the directors are awful for the most part..Hey, if your not getting the offers like you used to you have to do what you can to make up the money..
Seriously though: we ai'nt ever gonna see the old Seagal anymore. I think he is doing well just to still be in the game..I just dont like the choice of some of his directors..
Lets see how "Into the Sun" goes-its a bigger budgetted film and should look better than some of his latest fare..

 

[Lotussan]

All I can say is that you have a right to your opinions...Personally, I prefer the mature Steven...Fact is, he has changed and we all do...No matter what we do, we can't stop changes...We all get older, we gain weight we lose weight, that is life...Our outside appearance shouldn't mean anything...Ever heard that saying, that clothes don't make the man? Steven is the same man he always was, things like weight, or hair or clothes don't matter to me...I think the problem with this is that YOU all are not happy with the way it is because YOUR egos are not being satisfied by these newer films...Maybe there isn't enough ass kicking to stimulate your hormones...Somehow you are living vicariously through these movies, getting a thrill out of them perhaps by somehow imagining you are him or something similar...Maybe I am wrong, but that is my conclusion...Maybe that's why we gals think differently about it and actually like the changes we see in Steven...Maybe his spirituality and his maturity are positive admireable changes to us...Now, I agree, that a lot of the fans might want Steven to go back to the way it was, but being realistic that just can't happen...He can only be who he is, we can't make him into anything else, things change us, things affect our lives, no one can control these things...Just accept Steven as he is and be glad he is still out there working to make films for us...Living and wishing for the old movies won't bring them back...
That was then this is now...If there is something you think he needs to do then suggest it, but think before you do, because it could hurt someone's feelings to be so outwardly critical...Acceptance is real love, and admiration doesn't have conditions...You can't say you love Steven the old way, and not the way he is now, because the way he is now is STEVEN...I hope you all aren't offended by what I have said either, I just want to say that I think there is a lot more to admire about sensei than the violence or swearing or perfect hair, or perfect weight (which is strictly a preference anyway!) that you all seem to miss so much...I don't miss it...I accept it all, because it is part of him...I love him because I think he is a very special man, all things considered...I don't want to change him, I just want to embrace him...hehehe...I wasn't trying to be literal there but that's a real nice thought...Please don't get me wrong or anything, I want Steven to be successful as possible, I just think we need to be accepting that he is human, and that if he needs to improve something we have to support him the right way and it might happen...But we have to ask what our real motive is, do we want the change for him or do we want it for egotistical reasons? If we want to help then great, I hope we can, but we have to realize that we can hurt as well...I personally never want to do that and so I try to defend him in my replies, I hope you all understand why...I adore him just as he is, that is all...Please don't take offense to that... Just remember he's human, and life can be a real battle...Could you make four films a year? Do you study aikido, play guitar, meditate long hours, raise children do charity work and have a career? Not to mention all that mafia stuff that went on...He has a lot on his plate, and I think he is amazing! If he can do all he does we shouldn't nit pick, we should be glad he's still doing it, and be glad that we can still enjoy it...I am very happy to do so...So enjoy! Try to keep these things in mind...I think you will find that the films have just as much to offer maybe just in a little bit of a different way...

Steven I adore you! You are the most amazing man!

 

[Nassau Mike]

I think that is a fair post Lotussan..Seagal is where he is now and if you are a true fan of his you will support his work. The movies may not be as good as they once were and the budgets not as big and he may not be as skinny as he once was but just enjoy what he is doing now and hope for the best..

 

[Lotussan]

Awwww, Mike thanks...
I know that you really do admire him...
I am sooooo glad you understand what I meant...
I just have to say I like him both as he is, and as he was...
All these things including all the changes make him who he is, and personally
I like what I have seen...
To me, he's simply amazing and trying to do positive things in his films...
I will support him any way I can because I honestly think his work is very admirable...
I think that his films have real meaning and depth, and I can really appreciate that...

 

[Disciple]

- he needs to be as far away as is humanly possible from hack directors like Michael Oblobobloboblowitz

Thanks for the laugh, steve!

Going back to his "early" style of film, the thing that few people bring up is that they were very much 1980s, early 1990s style of films. It's like a guy in the E True Hollywood Story on Seagal said- once movies like The Matrix came out, it changed everything for action movies made here. Now it's different lenses, different style fighting, plus you've got to factor in Sensei's older now and he's much bigger and can't run around and jump on top of cars as they race down the street etc. There's practical considerations i guess, even thought I'd like to see him return to the old style of film as much as anyone else.

But like I say, maybe there will be a resurgence in the old style of film. Plus, it would just be cool to see Sensei on the big screen in different supporting roles, or as villains. He definitely needs to do something DIFFERENT with his acting career, because the harsh reality is that mainstream audiences get very bored very quickly with the same old characters and situations.

 

[suziwong]

I am sorry to say that but I agree some of your opinions. As far as I can see Seagal doesn't look after himself. Of course his making films, well I do believe that he is not happy with his films. As we miss his past days I am sure that he is also feels the same way. If he tries he can turn back his days of Exit Wounds. Good image maker, may be hair stlyist, new wardrobe, good directors, etc.(if he listens him or her)!! I don't believe he will loose too much weight because he is 50 years old. Age puts on weight!!
I agree with Lotus, He is gorgeous man. I love this big guy !!
I hope he will make a good image for himself. Lets wait !!!

in onenesss

 

[Lotussan]

Well, the fact is that most men need a good woman to take care of them...

I am wondering, where is Arissa, suzi?

Maybe he doesn't listen to her though, huh?

Did you ever notice he was always soooo spiffy when he was with Kelly?

She obviously took very good care of him...

Heh, I can just imagine Steven telling the makeup people and hairstylist on the set to F*** off and get their hands the hell off of him...

These would be his words, not mine...

He seems like he's a no fuss type of guy, and I bet he hates them touching
him that way (he seems just seems like he would be that way to me)
It is kind of intimate to touch someone that way...

Sigh, I would take care really GOOD care of him if he was my man...
And I would really hope he'd kinda like the touchy feely thing a lot too, heh...

 

[Lotussan]

Oh, and make no mistake about what I said in the above post...

I think he looks great, I like him just the way he is, and I think he's beautiful!

If someone disagrees, too bad...

I think he's dignified and doesn't need all that fancy junk...

He's a man, men and men don't primp...

I think he looks veerrrrry wonderful and attractive....

I like him sooooooo much, more than I ever have...

And now a message for Steven...

I love you my dear sensei, forever and always, and just as you are!

You are totally amazing to me, and I adore everything about you, Steven!

Peace, and lots of love to you always, my darling!

 

[suziwong]

Well, the fact is that most men need a good woman to take care of them...

I am wondering, where is Arissa, suzi?

Maybe he doesn't listen to her though, huh?

Did you ever notice he was always soooo spiffy when he was with Kelly?

She obviously took very good care of him...

Heh, I can just imagine Steven telling the makeup people and hairstylist on the set to F*** off and get their hands the hell off of him...

These would be his words, not mine...

He seems like he's a no fuss type of guy, and I bet he hates them touching
him that way (he seems just seems like he would be that way to me)
It is kind of intimate to touch someone that way...

Sigh, I would take care really GOOD care of him if he was my man...
And I would really hope he'd kinda like the touchy feely thing a lot too, heh...

Lotus,
You have written the way I think.
Ms. Arisa looks like she is a calm lady !! I don't believe she will be though on Mr. Seagal. If she says anything I don't believe Seagal will accept it. Actually we don't know but Steven looks like nervous. I am sure that he will be fine soon !! Lets wait!! Even though I love this big guy !! He is Gorgeous !!

in onenesss

 

[Sleeping Fox]

Well, the fact is that most men need a good woman to take care of them..

You're driving the mindless stereotype of societal relationships.

 

[aikidoboynj]

Thanks for the laugh, steve!

Going back to his "early" style of film, the thing that few people bring up is that they were very much 1980s, early 1990s style of films. It's like a guy in the E True Hollywood Story on Seagal said- once movies like The Matrix came out, it changed everything for action movies made here. Now it's different lenses, different style fighting, plus you've got to factor in Sensei's older now and he's much bigger and can't run around and jump on top of cars as they race down the street etc. There's practical considerations i guess, even thought I'd like to see him return to the old style of film as much as anyone else.

But like I say, maybe there will be a resurgence in the old style of film. Plus, it would just be cool to see Sensei on the big screen in different supporting roles, or as villains. He definitely needs to do something DIFFERENT with his acting career, because the harsh reality is that mainstream audiences get very bored very quickly with the same old characters and situations.

Like I've stated before, I dont know about you guys but I know that everyone I know(including myself) is tired of these "matrix" style action movies..I say some people are even tired of the Matrix after its last showing.... I've done more thinking about Out For A Kill and budgets and what not...I think that Out For A Kill had a story that would have worked perfectly with the old Seagal Formula because alot of the key elements were there, even if the budget was low I think it could be alot better if the basics were used. (Like the fight with the guy who can crawl across the walls and stuff cmon seagal would have ripped this guy up man haha, and how about when he entered the room in the restaurant or something and there were a few guys who came at him, he could have definitly used his older routine in place..{ill talk alittle more about this at the end})

They killed a few close people to Seagal, this gives him the right to do with the bad guys as he wishes, I really think that if he was in better shape, yeah Exit Wounds Shape....Throw on the Mason Storm attire, and if he did the fight scenes the old style way that movie would have been a blast! I know that one of the reasons I started to enjoy Steven Seagal as much as i did and still do! Is the fact that his fights looked so much more realistic then others in the past or present( of course he never loses but thats the ammount of le-way givin in action movies so its Alright) he would take his opponents down with a very convincing move whether it be comboed punches a kick or two or just plain steven seagal hardcore aikido...

These movies now are so unrealistic, I really believe 90's style action movies as long as they were done smartly think that such movies can exist today with the proper adjustments, as long as the fighting was left to the professionals but its just that producers cant get over the Matrix, even critics and movie goers alike are very tired of this, Matrix had a reason for the actors to be able to do crazy stuff. I was really happy to see that even in the later movies like OFAK that he wasnt really using wire work Himself it was more or less the people he fought.

I really think if a movie like Marked For Death came out today out of the blue and used none of those fancy special effects just showed a somewhat accurate display of something as furious as Seagal did in the past(with an R rating of course to be fair) I think it would remark a new age once again in action movies and only then could all this wire work be left behind. I don't think Steven enjoys doing all that wire work either judging by some of his last few appearances, maybe he wants to get back to the older take no prisoners approach but he just cant get the green light from the director...If thats the case thats really a shame, we all know that he can still kick some major ass lol...

I guess i forgot to add he had very intense scenes and in movies he really did have an dangerous edge about him and he had intensity in fight scenes that arent matched by any in my book seems like he kinda is a more leniant in his movies now if you understand what im trying to say....

...But anyways Im very happy that most of you guys hadn't taken my posts in the wrong light, I really do like Steven Seagal and all his many facets which he does do but for the most part I was simply speaking about the Movie Steven Seagal not his outside life, he is a very good person and helps out alot of people that in itself is something great, but anyways thanks again...

 

[Disciple]

I think the problem is that movie producers wrongly believe that audiences want to see crappy Matrix-style unrealistic fight scenes. They don't realize that there's still a big market out there for classic Sensei style rough house fight scenes.