Mercenary for Justice

The theatrical release is no longer the benchmark for success for an actor since fewer people see films in theatres and many rather "big" names are now making DTV films: IE. Hillary Swank, Chuck Norris, Demi Moore etc. They are just beginning to find out what Seagal has known for quite a while. The issue was that some, not all, of Seagal's DTV films were lacking in quality, and perhaps only worthy of a DTV release. However, "Black Dawn" was a production that changed that poor quality trend, and "Mercenary" proves to be an even better follow up than "Dawn." Seagal's critics might as well be shoveling smoke if they continue on with the tired redundant insults now, because he is obviously having the last laugh, with a vengeance. Like "Dawn", this film has good production, but unlike "Dawn", and fortunately, this film has a lot of hand to hand combat with no doubles, no dubbing, sleek production, an intricate plot, cool locations, etc. Note: This is hands down the most violent of Seagal's films, with an exhausting body count, but the core of it has a redemptive story which I am sure Seagal would not have any other way. He could do better, but he could also do a lot worse. If he keeps going in this direction, then this Icon has a lot of fight left in him.

Not as good as Belly Of The Beast but for me this is Seagals second best DTV yet. He is back doing his own fight scenes, minimal dialogue dubbing and the odd flash of Seagals personality comes through. The last third of the movie is taken up with all action as Seagal goes to the main villain's hideout to take him out. The movie opens with a well executed all action setup with helicopters and tanks by Seagal DTV movie standards, continues the action sequences all throughout the movie with a nice bank heist set piece half way through but does stretch believability a little. However Mercenary For Justices biggest draw back is again like most of Seagals DTV movies, the script. I have no idea why or what was going on for the opening 20 minutes of this movie. We have Seagal and his team of mercs caught in a big firefight then another team of mercs captures the French Ambassador and his family and appears to be bringing them back to Seagal. Then the merc team who captured the French Ambassador blows him up along with his family??? This merc team appears to be working with Seagal?? Seagals buddy gets killed ala Into The Sun and Seagal calls the helicopter backup to pick them all up. Why didn't he call it earlier??? Once Seagal is back from his mission his buddy's family is kidnapped by the movies main villain and they force Seagal to take a mission for them. This is where the movie begins correctly for me as I have no clue what all the previous stuff was about other than for Seagals buddy to get killed? Other than this Mercenary For Justice is what Seagal fans have been demanding from Seagals DTV movies, action, almost no Seagal dubbing and Seagal on screen fighting even if the camera in this case is a little to close to fully appreciate Seagals moves. He is still over weight and is still lumbered with bad scripts and he is still one dimensional in his dialogue delivery but he has been making quality improvements in his latest DTV's compared to Submerged and to an extent Today You Die. It also drags a little in the middle especially as we get a True Lies scene with Seagal dancing with the drop dead gorgeous Jacqueline Lord. Also a scene in a prison during a double cross is very similar to the scene in Alcatraz from The Rock. Mercenary For Justice is not perfect and it's quality for me is measure to Belly Of The Beast which is by no means one of Seagals best either. Seagal fans who have stuck with him this far should be very happy with Mercenary For Justice. Others will only find the usual things to laugh at found in all of Seagal DTV movies.

Good movie I bought it used and shipping was great and the dvd was in great shape THANK YOU!!