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Terrorists led by Alex Swann (David Hopper) are on the loose in San Francisco but the police
virtually faces a blank wall while going after them. In spite of the best efforts of the bomb squad led by Glass (Steven Seagal), destruction continues. Losing his wife, son
and police partner in the bombings, Detective Nettles (Tom Sizemore) is highly motivated and succeeds in capturing Claire (Jaimie Pressly), Swann's girlfriend. Alex gives the
police a few hours to release his girlfriend; otherwise, he will blow up important structures in the city. The police refuses and the mad bomber Alex indiscriminately destroys
buildings and kills numerous people. After the second ultimatum and subsequent bombings, Claire makes a deal with Nettles: release her to prevent further death and destruction
and she promises to help the police get Alex. The police releases her. Will she keep her word?
Originally called Tickerabroad, this film, by changing its title, tries to ride on the
popularity of Steven Seagal's previous blockbuster, similarly titled Above the Law; however, it does not succeed in generating the same interest and success. This movie
seems like a rehash of old bomber movies with no new twists nor turns. Confusing, the film makes it difficult for viewers to distinguish between those in the different sides
of the law. Strangely, here is an action movie with no spectacular stunts. Even Steven Seagal, known for his martial arts expertise, is mostly immobile, just brooding and
mumbling his words though he goes into some action in the last twenty minutes of the film. As for visuals? Well, if you enjoy looking at buildings exploding, crumbling and
burning, from beginning to end, you will have your fill. A fairly decent cast saves the movie but they can do only so much with a B-film production budget.
Terrorism has frequently grabbed the headlines, especially after the demolition of the
WorldTradeCenter by a few fanatics. In this film, small plastic devices cleverly fashioned into bombs can demolish buildings. An innocent looking briefcase contains deadly
bombs. The film's excessive, graphic violence, strong language and senseless bombings make us realize how vulnerable we are, and we ask: Is there nothing we, ordinary
citizens, can do to stop this ruthlessness? What has spawned this monster in our midst? How can we change this culture of violence that shapes the thinking of violent men? We
can start with our movies. Do our movies encourage to love rather than to hate? Peace rather than violence?
(Date reviewed: October 29, 2001)
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