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Above the Law

Above the Law

Action · Crime · Drama · 1988

Nico Toscani is an Italian immigrant, American patriot, ex-CIA agent, aikido specialist and unorthodox Chicago policeman. He is as committed to his job as he is to his personalized brand of justice—expert and thorough bone-crushing.

Movie details

Above the Law

“He's a cop who believes no one is above the law.”

1988 Action · Crime · Drama 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.1 / 10

Community rating

Nico Toscani is an Italian immigrant, American patriot, ex-CIA agent, aikido specialist and unorthodox Chicago policeman. He is as committed to his job as he is to his personalized brand of justice—expert and thorough bone-crushing.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Above the Law?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Hard to Kill

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Mason Storm, a 'go it alone' cop, is gunned down at home. The intruders kill his wife, and think they've killed both Mason and his son too. Mason is secretly taken to a hospital where he spends several years in a coma. His son meanwhile is growing up thinking his father is dead. When Mason wakes up, everyone is in danger - himself, his son, his best friend, his nurse - but most of all those who arranged for his death

Payback

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Andrew Davis

Written by

Andrew Davis · Ronald Shusett · Steven Pressfield · Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal

Nico Toscani

Pam Grier

Pam Grier

Delores 'Jacks' Jackson

Henry Silva

Henry Silva

Kurt Zagon

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone

Sara Toscani

Ron Dean

Ron Dean

Detective Lukich

Daniel Faraldo

Daniel Faraldo

Tony Salvano

Joe Greco

Joe Greco

Father Joseph Gennaro

Court is in session

Put Above the Law on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Prestige Tourist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.