Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- hard-edged
- tense
- aggressive
- action movie night
- martial arts movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a slick but conventional action thriller with an overstuffed plot and limited originality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nico Toscani is a Chicago vice detective trained in martial arts in Japan and previously involved with the CIA in Vietnam.
Nico uncovers covert connections between CIA officials, drug dealers, explosives, and political influence.
Nico is ordered to stop investigating after discovering that government-connected actors are suppressing evidence and using murder to protect their connections.
The film positions Steven Seagal’s physical performance and martial arts combat within a gritty police thriller framework.
Films like Above the Law, and why
Marked for Death
shared martial arts action, corrupt institutions, and a determined Chicago police protagonist
The Enforcer
shared hard-edged cop thriller structure, criminal conspiracies, and Eastwood-style law enforcement heroics
The Delta Force
shared 1980s action filmmaking, government corruption, and lone lawman investigation
To Live and Die in L.A.
shared urban crime action, undercover police work, and escalating battles against organized criminals
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrew Davis
- Release Date
- 1988-04-08
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (826)
Cast
- Steven Seagal
- Pam Grier
- Henry Silva
- Sharon Stone
- Ron Dean
- Daniel Faraldo
- Joe Greco
- Vince Viverito
- Chelcie Ross
- Jack Wallace
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Above the Law about?
- A Chicago vice detective with CIA experience and formidable martial arts skills challenges a deadly conspiracy linking drug dealers, explosives, and government power.
- What is Above the Law like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Above the Law as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Above the Law violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Above the Law as brutal.
- What did critics think of Above the Law?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a slick but conventional action thriller with an overstuffed plot and limited originality.
- Which films are like Above the Law?
- Films with a similar feel include Marked for Death, The Enforcer, The Delta Force, and To Live and Die in L.A..
- How long is Above the Law?
- Above the Law runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Above the Law?
- In United States, Above the Law streams on fuboTV, Howdy Amazon Channel.
