OUT OF REACH review!(Contain Spoilers)

Clement3000

aka The Phoenix
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

aka The Phoenix
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

New Member
My OUT OF REACH Review

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

MRKD4DTH
Thanks Pedro

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)
 

suziwong

Administrator
Staff member
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

aka The Phoenix
stars-3-0.gif
kinda slow and loose this time, but still watchable, July 17, 2004
Reviewer: justareader (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

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

Clement3000

aka The Phoenix
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

Administrator
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

MRKD4DTH
Thanks For This 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.
 

Serena

Administrator
You're welcome, Reservoir Dog.

Reservoir Dog said:
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
 

katw_03

New Member
Serena said:
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

Administrator
Staff member
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
niceday.gif
 

ZenLateralus

Disposition Seagal
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

Banned
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

I Belong To Steven
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...:)
 
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