Review: On Deadly Ground

METROdee

New Member
Great action scenes. Joan Chen was a great co-star w/ Steve. I nearly died laughing at the Michael Caine "Moose commercial!!" ("We're protecting this little guy."--on camera; "Get that sticking f**ker out of my sight!!"--off camera)

I wish Steve hadn't directed this one (they let him because it followed Under Seige, so he had clout). The environment propaganda at the end turned a lot of people off, NOT because of the MESSAGE, but the amateurish way Seagal handled it (like w/ the tacky eagle flying around).

Finally, Steve indulged his ego too much, and that turned me off. Like the bar-room fight scene--where he protects the poor Indian guy. When Steve hit the white, rascist troublemaker, the camera pans over the crowd of wowed "little people" who go "OOOOOOOOHHHHHH" and "AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Steve doesn't need such tacky build-up. He's great enough just being plain ole Steve...
 

LIETUS

gerietė
Originally posted by METROdee
Great action scenes. Joan Chen was a great co-star w/ Steve. I nearly died laughing at the Michael Caine "Moose commercial!!" ("We're protecting this little guy."--on camera; "Get that sticking f**ker out of my sight!!"--off camera)

I wish Steve hadn't directed this one (they let him because it followed Under Seige, so he had clout). The environment propaganda at the end turned a lot of people off, NOT because of the MESSAGE, but the amateurish way Seagal handled it (like w/ the tacky eagle flying around).

Finally, Steve indulged his ego too much, and that turned me off. Like the bar-room fight scene--where he protects the poor Indian guy. When Steve hit the white, rascist troublemaker, the camera pans over the crowd of wowed "little people" who go "OOOOOOOOHHHHHH" and "AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Steve doesn't need such tacky build-up. He's great enough just being plain ole Steve...


:) I agree with you METROdee
I,as horsegirl noticed beautiful horse,witch was riden by Seagal.
:D
 

tora

Funmaker
Hehe,I noticed that too,Lietus.
I think it was a good experience for Steve as a director.
 

MMCK2

New Member
After the box office success of "Under Siege", Seagal had so much clout that Warner Bros allowed him to direct his next project, an intended ecological epic originally entitled "Spirit Warrior". While the guy should be commended for trying to follow up his success with such an untypical project and also for trying to spread a message for bettering our world, there is no denying that the final product is an uneven mess of a film.

The story of an oil rig fire fighter who's conscience comes into play when he finds out that his boss is content to destroy sacred land belonging to the local Inuit tribes in the name of big business is in itself not a bad plot. What is a problem is the preachy heavy handed script and symbolism which is forced upon us and the film's decididly uneven tone (witness the middle section involving the tribes). Also a point against it is the usually reliable Michael Caine, who's performance as the villain Jennings is so OTT and pantoish that its nearly embarrassing. He sneers and rants his way through the whole picture resorting to multiple obscenities which grate on you rather than underline his nastiness. (There are reports in an old Empire film article that Anthony Hopkins and Alan Rickman were originally approached for the villain's role) I think Gene Hackman would have been better suited for the role. More believable and effective is John C McGinley as Caine's henchman who is calm on the surface but explodes into a psychotic when called upon. Other good points towards the film are the well staged action scenes and aikido fights which especially in the region 1 version contain some of Seagal's best fighting. Taking as an action film it achieves a higher rating but it was as if Seagal viewed this project as a serious art film and wanted to be taken seriously as a filmmaker among critics and more high brow movie goers yet also appeal to his core fan base but in the end managed to dissapoint and achieve neither.

Though unsurprisingly a box office failure it still is'nt quite as bad as a lot of critics make out but it is still one which gives his critics all the ammunition they need to slag him off. I think it was the wrong project at the wrong time and I believe a failure which he really has'nt truly recovered from.


Overall ** out of ***** (An interesting failure)
 

EvanB

New Member
I haven't seen On Deadly ground yet but I really want to. Is it good? From what I've read it sounds good even though its gotten a lot of bad reviews. I never listen to reviewers anyways. I hate it when people insult Steven for putting good messages into his movies. Some people are so cynical today. I'm really excited to hear Steven's infamous speech at the end of ODG. I'm sure it's great.
 

tora

Funmaker
If you're a true fan then you shouldn't even ask if it's good or not.Just go and see it!!!
 

Lotussan

I Belong To Steven
It's a great movie which he is directing!
Don't even think about not seeing it!
He's awesome, and the message very valid...
It's a very awakening experience for those
who care...
Those that bashed it just didn't want to listen...
Steven's speech at the end is wonderful, and something
close to his heart, he's very passionate about these things...
I have said it all before, but he is truly brilliant in this film...
And plus, the scenery is really, really fabulous...
 

voetballcanine

New Member
Best Seagal movie ever. I must say. 'Tis my most favorite. And it doesn't hurt that Michael Caine, one of the ultimate G's of the universe, is in it.
 

voetballcanine

New Member
Michael Caine is a G. A veritable G. Not nearly as much of a G as Sean Connery, Jack Nickolson, or our boy Seagal, but a damn G nonetheless. He is not an ass; he kicks ass. That being said, I'm going to go get naked now.
 

Littledragon

Above The Law
Love The Message!

I loved how this film sent out a message to the public. The cinematography was really good. The plot was excellent but some of the scenes could have turned out just a little better. In my opinion this is one of his best movies he made after Under Siege. The action scenes are yet again just breathtaking and remarkable.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
 

Webmaster FU&D!

Ardent Seagal Fan
FU&D! Original Review - On Deadly Ground - 1/4 guns

Sadly, Seagal's first directorial effort is also his worst movie (at least it was until The Patriot and the recent straight-to-video disasters came along). As Forrest Taft, Seagal tries to save the environment and crack skulls when he should just be cracking skulls. Alas, the fights are few and far between. We get a pretty decent bar fight up front to get us in the mood.

There is also a firefight at Seagal's friend's house where Steven gets to show off his new MP5 skills he picked up in Under Siege. It seems he didn't pick up too many skills, however, as the gun jams and Steven is unable to clear the receiver. This is good news for us though as we get to watch him dispatch a few bad guys the old fashioned way!

At the end of the movie, Seagal assaults a drilling station and we get some more violence but the whole effect is marred by the environmental subplot, the touchy-feely sessions with American Indians and the ridiculous speech at the end.

A friend of mine hates Seagal, and bases that hate on one movie alone: On Deadly Ground. Let me put it this way, if On Deadly Ground was the first Seagal movie I saw, I wouldn't stick around to see the others either. I've even taped over my copy of the movie. That's how bad it is. The problem with hating this movie, however, is that Seagal directed it himself. Let us just put it down to too many Chinese potions (powdered deer penis anyone?) and leave it at that. The Great One is capable of much better movies, as he later proved. Do I even have to tell you how many guns this movie got? Well, it's not guns, it's gun. That's right, one lousy gun. Don't see this movie and keep your Seagal-doubting friends from seeing it too.

:gun:

Please see my website for screencaps and audio clips.
 

ORANGATUANG

Wildfire
He taught Michael Caine an thing or two didnt he now..just dont mess with someone who can kick your ass...this movie was good goes to show how much he cares about people, enviroment, animals....
 

Littledragon

Above The Law
Webmaster FU&D! said:
Sadly, Seagal's first directorial effort is also his worst movie (at least it was until The Patriot and the recent straight-to-video disasters came along). As Forrest Taft, Seagal tries to save the environment and crack skulls when he should just be cracking skulls. Alas, the fights are few and far between. We get a pretty decent bar fight up front to get us in the mood.

There is also a firefight at Seagal's friend's house where Steven gets to show off his new MP5 skills he picked up in Under Siege. It seems he didn't pick up too many skills, however, as the gun jams and Steven is unable to clear the receiver. This is good news for us though as we get to watch him dispatch a few bad guys the old fashioned way!

At the end of the movie, Seagal assaults a drilling station and we get some more violence but the whole effect is marred by the environmental subplot, the touchy-feely sessions with American Indians and the ridiculous speech at the end.

A friend of mine hates Seagal, and bases that hate on one movie alone: On Deadly Ground. Let me put it this way, if On Deadly Ground was the first Seagal movie I saw, I wouldn't stick around to see the others either. I've even taped over my copy of the movie. That's how bad it is. The problem with hating this movie, however, is that Seagal directed it himself. Let us just put it down to too many Chinese potions (powdered deer penis anyone?) and leave it at that. The Great One is capable of much better movies, as he later proved. Do I even have to tell you how many guns this movie got? Well, it's not guns, it's gun. That's right, one lousy gun. Don't see this movie and keep your Seagal-doubting friends from seeing it too.

:gun:

Please see my website for screencaps and audio clips.


Hey I thought this was a good movie. The action scenes were terrific and so was the cinematography, ok I will admit it had some corny parts but the action made up for that.
 

Felister

New Member
On Deadly Ground

It is a movie I love to watch over and over again. He taught Michael Caine a thing that you don't mess up with one who can kick your ass.
 
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