Editing Above the Law (1988 film)

{{Short description|1988 action film by Andrew Davis}}
{{For|the 1989 American action film released in the Philippines as ''Above the Law''|Action U.S.A.}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Above the Law
| image          = Abovethelaw.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Andrew Davis (director)|Andrew Davis]]
| screenplay     = {{plainlist|
*[[Steven Pressfield]]
*Andrew Davis
*[[Ronald Shusett]]
}}
| story          = {{plainlist|
*[[Steven Seagal]]
*Andrew Davis
}}
| producer       = {{plainlist|
*Steven Seagal
*Andrew Davis
}}
| starring       = {{plainlist|
*Steven Seagal
*[[Pam Grier]]
*[[Henry Silva]]
*[[Sharon Stone]]
}}
| cinematography = Robert Steadman
| editing        = Michael Brown
| music          = [[David Michael Frank]]
| studio         = 
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]
| released       = {{Film date|1988|4|8}}
| runtime        = 99 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 16, 1988|title=''Nico'' (18)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/nico-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmdq4ndy|access-date=November 25, 2019|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819050334/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/nico-1988|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = {{plainlist|
*English
}}
| budget         = $7.5 million<ref>{{cite news | first=Patrick | last=Goldstein | title=Steven Seagal Gets a Shot at Stardom | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-14-ca-42829-story.html | date=1988-02-14 | access-date=2010-11-25 | archive-date=2019-02-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202043138/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-14/entertainment/ca-42829_1_steven-seagal | url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $18.8 million
}}
'''''Above the Law''''' (also known as '''''Nico: Above the Law''''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moviezine.se/movies/nico-above-the-law|title=Nico - Above the Law (1988)|website=MovieZine|access-date=2018-06-15|archive-date=2021-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020014559/https://www.moviezine.se/movies/nico-above-the-law|url-status=live}}</ref> or simply '''''Nico'''''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/ar/film327157.html|title=Above the Law (Nico) (1988)|website=[[FilmAffinity]]|access-date=2018-06-15|archive-date=2021-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019190331/https://www.filmaffinity.com/ar/film327157.html|url-status=live}}</ref>) is a 1988 American [[action film|action]] [[thriller film]] co-written, produced and directed by [[Andrew Davis (director)|Andrew Davis]]. It marked the film debut of [[Steven Seagal]], who also produced the film and co-authored the story alongside Davis, and stars Seagal alongside [[Pam Grier]], [[Sharon Stone]], [[Ron Dean]] and [[Henry Silva]]. Seagal plays Nico Toscani, an ex-CIA agent, an [[Aikido]] specialist and a Chicago policeman who discovers a conspiracy upon investigating a mysterious shipment of military explosives seized from a narcotics dealer.

The film originated after a successful [[Test screening|screen test]] financed by [[Michael Ovitz]], leading to Seagal being offered a contract by [[Warner Bros.]] It was set and filmed on location in [[Chicago]], Davis’ hometown.<ref>{{cite news | first=Vincent | last=Canby | title= 'Above the Law,' a Detective's Battle | work=The New York Times | url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=940DE7D91E3CF93BA35757C0A96E948260 | date=April 8, 1988 | access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> The film premiered in the United States on April 8, 1988, becoming a commercial success despite mixed reviews, and launching Seagal’s acting career. ''Above the Law'' is regarded as the first American film to feature [[Aikido]] in fight sequences.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Bill Palmer |author2=Karen Palmer |author3=Ric Meyers |title=The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Movies|date=January 1995 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]], 1995|isbn=1461672759|page=2}}</ref>

==Plot==
Nicolo “Nico” Toscani is an expert [[martial artist]], who is recruited by the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] during the [[Vietnam War]]. While serving in covert operations on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border, he became disgusted with agent Kurt Zagon, who tortures prisoners. A stand-off occurred when Toscani tries to stop him, and he leaves the CIA.

Years later, Toscani is now married and a detective in the [[Chicago Police Department]]’s vice squad. Toscani and his new partner Delores "Jacks" Jackson are investigating a drug ring, and after busting two of the dealers, including Salvadorian kingpin Tony Salvano, Toscani finds [[C-4 (explosive)|C-4]] explosives. Shortly afterward, the men that Toscani and Jackson arrested are released at the request of federal officials, and Toscani is ordered to stand down. Later, the priest of Toscani's parish is killed in an explosion during [[Mass (religion)|Mass]]. Toscani’s old CIA handler Nelson Fox contacts him and tells him to move his family to a safer location, saying that he is in danger. Under pressure from the feds, Toscani is asked to turn in his badge. He eventually discovers that the dealers he busted are linked to Kurt Zagon, who is still with the CIA, and who is being accused of human rights violations by a Central American priest who was being sheltered by Toscani's priest. While Zagon is torturing the priest, Toscani bursts in and a gun battle ensues. Detectives Jackson and Lukich are wounded during the shootout, and Toscani has to flee.

Senator Ernest Harrison is investigating Zagon's group to reveal their ties to drug trafficking. When Toscani finds out that Zagon killed the priest and is planning to kill Harrison, he goes after him. Fox confronts Toscani while the latter is doing surveillance on a rooftop, but they are later interrupted by Zagon's men. Fox is killed and Toscani is captured. He is held in the kitchen of a hotel during a Harrison campaign rally. Before Zagon can kill Harrison, Toscani breaks free and kills Zagon and all of his remaining men. Afterwards, Toscani meets Harrison, who has been informed of everything. Harrison promises justice and Toscani says he is now willing to testify about his experiences with Zagon and covert operations in the CIA.

==Cast==
{{div col}}
* [[Steven Seagal]] as Sergeant Nicolo "Nico" Toscani
* [[Pam Grier]] as Detective Delores "Jacks" Jackson
* [[Henry Silva]] as CIA Agent Kurt Zagon
* [[Ron Dean]] as Detective Lukich
* Daniel Faraldo as Tony Salvano
* [[Sharon Stone]] as Sara Toscani
* Miguel Nino as Chi Chi
* Nicholas Kusenko as FBI Special Agent Neeley
* Joe Greco as Father Joseph Gennaro
* [[Chelcie Ross]] as Nelson Fox
* [[Gregory Alan Williams]] as FBI Agent Halloran
* [[Jack Wallace (actor)|Jack Wallace]] as Uncle Branca
* Metta Davis as Rosa Toscani
* Joseph Kosala as Lieutenant Fred Strozah
* [[Ronnie Barron]] as Bartender
* Joe D. Lauck as Senator Ernest Harrison
* [[Henry Godinez]] as Father Tomasino
* [[Danny Goldring]] as Hagan
* [[Thalmus Rasulala]] as Deputy Superintendent Crowder
* [[Gene Barge]] as Detective Henderson
* Mike James as Officer O’Hara
* Michelle Hoard as Lucy
* Rafael Gonzales as Abandano
* Cheryl Hamada as Watanabe
* [[Ralph Foody]] as Federal Clerk
* [[Michael Rooker]] as Man in Bar
* [[John C. Reilly]] as Thug in Bar (uncredited)
{{div col end}}

==Production==
It has been reported that Steven Seagal was asked to make the film by his former [[aikido]] pupil, agent [[Michael Ovitz]], who believed that he could make anyone a movie star.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Patrick |date=February 14, 1988 |title=Steven Seagal Gets a Shot at Stardom |url=https://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-14/entertainment/ca-42829_1_steven-seagal/3 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Seagal had previously worked as a film stunt performer and fight choreographer, as well as a celebrity [[bodyguard]], but ''Above the Law'' was his acting debut.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to starring in the film, Seagal functioned as a producer, a co-screenwriter, and fight choreographer.

Seagal has claimed that portions of the film are [[autobiographical]], and that he was employed by the [[CIA]] during the 1970's, initially as a martial arts instructor.<ref name="People">{{cite news |last1=Farrell |first1=Mary H.J. |last2=Benet |first2=Lorenzo |last3=Fuhrman |first3=Janice |date=November 19, 1990 |title=Sure, He's Making a Box-Office Killing—but Who Is Steven Seagal? |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20113675,00.html |access-date=March 12, 2011 |work=[[People (American magazine)|People]]}}</ref> His wife at the time, Miyako Fujitani, has denied these claims, and there is no evidence Seagal has ever worked with the Central Intelligence Agency.<ref name="People" />

=== Filming ===
Shooting took place in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], over 60 days from  April 27 to June 26, 1987.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.perfectpeople.net/biography/1070/steven-seagal.htm|title=Perfect People|work=perfectpeople.net}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/58446 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> The opening Vietnam War sequence was shot on a soundstage at [[Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank]].

During the filming of the final fight scene, [[Henry Silva]] accidentally broke Seagal's nose.<ref name=":1" />

[[John C. Reilly]] made his film debut, appearing (uncredited) as one of the thugs in the bar brawl.

==Release==
===Home media===
[[Warner Home Video]] released the [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] DVD in the United States on January 28, 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Above-the-Law-DVD/2134/|title=Above the Law DVD Release Date January 28, 1998|website=Blu-ray.com|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020150024/https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Above-the-Law-DVD/2134/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Region 2 DVD was released in the United Kingdom on April 26, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Nico-Above-the-Law-DVD/82398/|title=Nico: Above the Law DVD Release Date April 26, 1999|website=Blu-ray.com|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020150025/https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Nico-Above-the-Law-DVD/82398/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Region-free [[Blu-ray Disc]] was released on April 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Above-the-Law-Blu-ray/3444/|title=Above the Law Blu-ray release date April 7, 2009|website=Blu-ray.com|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020150026/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Above-the-Law-Blu-ray/3444/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film grossed $18,869,631 in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=abovethelaw.htm |title=ABOVE THE LAW |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=November 22, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091219085110/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=abovethelaw.htm| archive-date=December 19, 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''Above the Law'' received mixed reviews. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film an approval rating of 50%, based on reviews from 20 critics, with an average rating of 5.2/10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/above_the_law/ |title=''Above the Law'' |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]/[[Flixster]] |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808055047/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/above_the_law |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://m.cinemascore.com/ |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com |access-date=2017-10-17}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' stated "It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers."<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|title=Above the Law|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/above-the-law-1988|work=[[Rogerebert.com]]|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513232631/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/above-the-law-1988|url-status=live}}</ref> In a negative review, Hal Hinson of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' criticized it as "woefully short on originality."<ref>{{cite news|title= Above the Law|newspaper= The Washington Post|date= 1988-04-09|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/abovethelawrhinson_a0c903.htm|access-date= 2010-09-10|archive-date= 2012-11-11|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121111094957/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/abovethelawrhinson_a0c903.htm|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Review/Film; 'Above the Law,' a Detective's Battle|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1988-04-08|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/08/movies/review-film-above-the-law-a-detective-s-battle.html|access-date=2010-12-14|first=Vincent|last=Canby|archive-date=2013-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114095007/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/08/movies/review-film-above-the-law-a-detective-s-battle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In another negative review, film historian [[Leonard Maltin]] described the picture as a "...slick but stupid action-fest; Seagal's thesping makes [[Chuck Norris]] seem like [[Laurence Olivier]]."<ref>Maltin's TV, Movie, & Video Guide</ref>

==Potential sequel==
Seagal tweeted plans for ''Above the Law 2'' on August 1, 2016, but as of 2025 the project remains unproduced.<ref>{{cite news|title=Is Steven Seagal's 'Above The Law 2' Ever Really Going To Happen?|work=Screen Dynamite|date=2021-08-13|url=https://screendynamite.com/is-steven-seagals-above-the-law-2-ever-really-going-to-happen|first=Jeff|last=Porter|access-date=2023-09-25|archive-date=2023-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005002223/https://screendynamite.com/is-steven-seagals-above-the-law-2-ever-really-going-to-happen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0094602|title=Above the Law}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=above_the_law|title=Above the Law}}

{{Andrew Davis}}
{{Ronald Shusett}}
{{Steven Pressfield}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Above The Law (Film)}}
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s crime action films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 martial arts films]]
[[Category:American crime action films]]
[[Category:American martial arts films]]
[[Category:American police detective films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Chicago Police Department]]
[[Category:Films directed by Andrew Davis]]
[[Category:Films scored by David Michael Frank]]
[[Category:Films set in 1973]]
[[Category:Films set in 1988]]
[[Category:Films set in Chicago]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chicago]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Ronald Shusett]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Steven Pressfield]]
[[Category:Vietnam War films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:English-language crime action films]]