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The new Steven Sagal movie
Reviewed by Bob Thompson 7/31/95
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OK- Under Seige isn't quite an accurate title. Under Attack is closer, but I'd call it : DIE HARD ON A RUNAWAY TRAIN.
The military puts up a new satellite- it is supposed to be for surveillance, but is in reality a particle beam weapon. The designer supposedly died just before the project gets put into orbit, but Suprise!! He is still alive. Eric Bogosian is fun as the manic, wisecracking designer who takes over control of the satellite and holds the world hostage for a billion bucks (he owes people money). With the help of a team of mercenaries, he takes over a passenger train to use as a moving platform for his machinations. Shades of James Bond*.
Casey Ryback (Sagal) our cook/SEAL from UNDER SIEGE (I) just happens to be on the train with his very attractive neice Sarah, on the way to her father's funeral. With typical aplomb, Ryback handles the situation.
Basically, I'd compare this movie to any of the DIE HARD movies, except that Sagal does not get as dirty or beat up as Bruce Willis does. As with most of the movies of this type, you don't want to analyze things, or they will all fall apart.
The special effects in this movie would have been quite good fifteen years ago- Today they are at best mediocre Somewhere between old George Pal stuff and ILM stuff. Stunts are pretty decent, the scenery is nice- when there is an exterior shot. Plenty of action, plenty of tension and a fair amount of blood. The main disappointment was that the only serious martial arts segment- the climactic hand to hand fight between Ryback and the mercenary captain was blurry & shot in too low light. I don't know if this was due to poor photography direction or if it was necessary because Sagal is losing it.
The best part of Steven Sagal movies has always been watching his beautiful martial arts skill, and that is almost ignored in this flick. Sagal has learned a lot about moviemaking in the last few years, but the more he learns about film making, the less he impresses me as a "hero". (It's hard to explain.)
The captain of the mercenaries is almost scary as a pain-loving super macho "Alabama militia group leader". This was just enough of an "establishment" film that they had to get in a little dig at the "citizen militias" that the media and federal law enforcement bureaucrats are currently so upset about. Rest easy those of you who fear this sort of thing- The few militia groups who might be insane enough to be involved in something like this aren't smart enough or professional enough to even make an attempt, and the ones who might be capable are much more likely to be on the side of the good guys.
If you want like action and want a couple hours of entertainment, go ahead and catch UNDER SIEGE II. By the time you read this review, it ought to be heading toward the $1.00 theaters, and That's where I'd recommend seeing it. Have lunch with your best friend and catch the matinee. NOTE: by the time you read this on the web---- it has now been out on video for a long time.
*Speaking of James Bond, they showed a preview of the new 007 movie before this feature started. The preview wasn't coherent, but it looks like Pierce Brosnan may actually make a credible JB.