Darren Seeley on September 14th, 2005 01:09:19 am
I still watch Steven Seagal’s films that go to DVD shelves from time to time, although there was also a time where I longed for the action star to be back on the big screen, and some of his recent efforts are more painful than being stung by a swarm of mad hornets. His latest effort, “Today You Die”, is not much of an exception. I know some folks who will point out he’s older and heavier, and sadly, they will think he’s slower. I’m not so sure on that, I mean, Jean Claude Van Damme has had some fairly decent DTV action pictures (although Van Damme does stay in shape) and Chuck Norris is in his sixties, although he too is still in shape and sells excercise equipment. But, we have to face the music. Steven Seagal has let himself go. Although like another recent DTV film of his, “Out Of Reach”, there are some edits in the film where in some scenes he’s heavy set, and then, in unmatched takes, he looks leaner, like he did in ‘Exit Wounds’.
I would have been satisfied with the story of Harlan Banks (Seagal) simply being double crossed and then he goes after the bad guys. Instead, I witness a silly plotline of Seagal’s Banks getting put in the pen without a trial, and making friends with OG Ice Cold played by Treach, who is the third bad acting hip hop gangsta rapper to appear alongside Seagal in the last few years (the others being Ja Rule and DMX) and the reasons for the set up -and cover up- are never fully explained, although Kevin Teague does fine as lead villian Max- only to be out of the picture until the last reel.
Banks is a thief of sorts who robs rich drug dealers and supposedly fences the money, just to give the spoils to the needy, such as a children’s hospital, which, has a very unintentionally funny ‘Going Out Of Business’ message on its welcome sign. Folks, that’s just poor thinking on the production’s part. I’m thinking the message was written up by a grip and put on the sign as a on the set afterthought; it is supposed to tug at your heartstrings as you see kids in wheelchairs come out to greet Banks and his voodoo-tarot card dreaming girlfriend. It doesn’t work, because it is not only a cheap reach for sentimental reasons, but it stands to reason that if a children’s hospital were to close, patients would be transfered elsewhere. It is Las Vegas, after all. In addition, ‘Going Out Of Business’ sounds off so much you think there was a rummage sale going on or something.
Much of the story surrounds missing cases of money from a armed car robbery gone wrong; and where did Banks hide the money (I know, I know, well, make up your own cheap joke. Mine wil be just as lame.) and a side-plot involving looking out for Ice Cold in the Pen, by saving his life by ratting out a prison Latino gang who wants to break a truce. Ice Cold shanks his would be assassin and in doing so, helps maintain the peace, only now, we are told, the price of inside Prison buisiness has just went up. In return for such favors, Cold mentions his outside contacts have arranged for a heliocopter to come and pick him up, but he’ll let Banks tag along only if he gets a slice of the missing money pie. The the rest of the film, Seagal busts heads and breaks an arm, while Treach finishes up by blowing up cars or shooting unarmed bad guys in the head, but only after said bad guy gets his head out of a vice.
There are a few scenes which have Seagal clearly throwing a few people around in the third half of the picture; a little too late, because not only were earlier fights better executed by stunt doubles, but if you know your martial arts action stars, you’ll spot Jerry ‘Golden Boy’ Trimble and James Lew, both as (rival) bad guys. Don’t get your hopes up. At least in Seagal’s previous misfire ‘Submerged’ action fans were treated to a brief fight scene with Seagal and B action star Gary Daniels; in this film neither Lew or Trimble takes a swipe at the frazzled ponytailed one. But there are other saving graces, such as nicely done pyrotechnic work early in the picture where police cars with tinted windows roll over like skipping stones on a pond surface. But there is a surprise appearance from Nick Mancusco, who overacts too much, and you know his DEA character is dirty from the start- his CIA character from the two ‘Under Siege’ films was also a bit on the shady side.
I think either Seagal should stick to producing and get away from the camera, or change his appearance, like shave his head and sport a goatee or something. Which brings me back to age and wieght. After seeing this and his previous outing a few months ago, I’m convinced that Seagal is wearing a rug, and is paranoid about it falling off in a fight scene, although there may be another explanation for this. There used to be a day where Seagal would show the viewers and action fans a few tricks, and where you can see the moves with clarity. Now, the man is in pools of low lighting so when the fight scenes come up, his double can take over and do the moves Seagal should be doing, and probably still can, once he gets over himself.
Rating : 1/5
Source : http://www.chokingonpopcorn.com
I still watch Steven Seagal’s films that go to DVD shelves from time to time, although there was also a time where I longed for the action star to be back on the big screen, and some of his recent efforts are more painful than being stung by a swarm of mad hornets. His latest effort, “Today You Die”, is not much of an exception. I know some folks who will point out he’s older and heavier, and sadly, they will think he’s slower. I’m not so sure on that, I mean, Jean Claude Van Damme has had some fairly decent DTV action pictures (although Van Damme does stay in shape) and Chuck Norris is in his sixties, although he too is still in shape and sells excercise equipment. But, we have to face the music. Steven Seagal has let himself go. Although like another recent DTV film of his, “Out Of Reach”, there are some edits in the film where in some scenes he’s heavy set, and then, in unmatched takes, he looks leaner, like he did in ‘Exit Wounds’.
I would have been satisfied with the story of Harlan Banks (Seagal) simply being double crossed and then he goes after the bad guys. Instead, I witness a silly plotline of Seagal’s Banks getting put in the pen without a trial, and making friends with OG Ice Cold played by Treach, who is the third bad acting hip hop gangsta rapper to appear alongside Seagal in the last few years (the others being Ja Rule and DMX) and the reasons for the set up -and cover up- are never fully explained, although Kevin Teague does fine as lead villian Max- only to be out of the picture until the last reel.
Banks is a thief of sorts who robs rich drug dealers and supposedly fences the money, just to give the spoils to the needy, such as a children’s hospital, which, has a very unintentionally funny ‘Going Out Of Business’ message on its welcome sign. Folks, that’s just poor thinking on the production’s part. I’m thinking the message was written up by a grip and put on the sign as a on the set afterthought; it is supposed to tug at your heartstrings as you see kids in wheelchairs come out to greet Banks and his voodoo-tarot card dreaming girlfriend. It doesn’t work, because it is not only a cheap reach for sentimental reasons, but it stands to reason that if a children’s hospital were to close, patients would be transfered elsewhere. It is Las Vegas, after all. In addition, ‘Going Out Of Business’ sounds off so much you think there was a rummage sale going on or something.
Much of the story surrounds missing cases of money from a armed car robbery gone wrong; and where did Banks hide the money (I know, I know, well, make up your own cheap joke. Mine wil be just as lame.) and a side-plot involving looking out for Ice Cold in the Pen, by saving his life by ratting out a prison Latino gang who wants to break a truce. Ice Cold shanks his would be assassin and in doing so, helps maintain the peace, only now, we are told, the price of inside Prison buisiness has just went up. In return for such favors, Cold mentions his outside contacts have arranged for a heliocopter to come and pick him up, but he’ll let Banks tag along only if he gets a slice of the missing money pie. The the rest of the film, Seagal busts heads and breaks an arm, while Treach finishes up by blowing up cars or shooting unarmed bad guys in the head, but only after said bad guy gets his head out of a vice.
There are a few scenes which have Seagal clearly throwing a few people around in the third half of the picture; a little too late, because not only were earlier fights better executed by stunt doubles, but if you know your martial arts action stars, you’ll spot Jerry ‘Golden Boy’ Trimble and James Lew, both as (rival) bad guys. Don’t get your hopes up. At least in Seagal’s previous misfire ‘Submerged’ action fans were treated to a brief fight scene with Seagal and B action star Gary Daniels; in this film neither Lew or Trimble takes a swipe at the frazzled ponytailed one. But there are other saving graces, such as nicely done pyrotechnic work early in the picture where police cars with tinted windows roll over like skipping stones on a pond surface. But there is a surprise appearance from Nick Mancusco, who overacts too much, and you know his DEA character is dirty from the start- his CIA character from the two ‘Under Siege’ films was also a bit on the shady side.
I think either Seagal should stick to producing and get away from the camera, or change his appearance, like shave his head and sport a goatee or something. Which brings me back to age and wieght. After seeing this and his previous outing a few months ago, I’m convinced that Seagal is wearing a rug, and is paranoid about it falling off in a fight scene, although there may be another explanation for this. There used to be a day where Seagal would show the viewers and action fans a few tricks, and where you can see the moves with clarity. Now, the man is in pools of low lighting so when the fight scenes come up, his double can take over and do the moves Seagal should be doing, and probably still can, once he gets over himself.
Rating : 1/5
Source : http://www.chokingonpopcorn.com
