On Deadly Ground (1994) Movie Review

On Deadly Ground is a 1994 environmental action-adventure film, co-produced, directed by and starring Steven Seagal, and co-starring an all-star cast that includes Michael Caine, Joan Chen, John C. McGinley, R. Lee Ermey, Kenji Nakano, and Billy Bob Thornton in one of his early appearances.
It earned $38.6 million during its theatrical run, failing to bring back its reported $50 million budget and received negative reviews.

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

I actually saw this in theaters in 94. I was underwhelmed by it, but it has grown on me over time. I still think Under Siege 2 is better and even Glimmer Man, but it's a decent actioner.

[@JurassicGodzillaFan]

Despite it's flaws, it's still a fun action film. Michael Caine was a great bad guy. Love the bloody violence. Next will be my favorite Seagal film, Under Siege 2.

[@jackcraven2266]

Well Matt, after re-watching this film, i will say that it does have some good action scenes, good bits of typical Seagal brutality, and Ric Waite's cinematography really made the movie little better. I think that Seagal did solid job with direction, but yeah, he really needed someone to keep him under control, because he still made some poor choices. I can say though, if he somehow managed to keep his ego under control and didn't added lot of stupid things into the films, i would rather see how he would direct The Glimmer Man and Fire Down Below. Also, you said about how funny it would be if in order to stop the bad guys in Under Siege Ryback would have to sink the battleship? Well guess what, that's exactly what he did in original script.

[@OcpCommunications]

I watched this recently and I had fun with it. It was flawed for sure but it definitely wasn't a 4.6 out of 10 bad like it is on IMDB. It had a significant budget behind it, Seagal actually did a pretty decent job directing, and the action when it is there is really exciting and full of explosions. Michael Caine is a lot of fun playing the bad guy, and it even has a good score by Basil Poledouris. But the silliness of the vision quest scene and the preachy dialogue definitely brought it down a notch.

[@kentuckycunctator]

24:10 lol I rented this last night. I really enjoyed it. It looks fantastic. Shooting in Alaska had to suck for the cast and crew but it pays off when you look at it. The problem I have is that Seagal seems like the same dude the entire pic. He already seems in touch with his spiritual side before being rescued by the natives. He should have been more of a blue collar type in the beginning, then become a spiritual type with the tribe and finally synthesized the characters with that kitchen speech: a kick-ass rainbow bear with guns and explosives (spirit and technology). It was worth the 3 bucks to rent just to hear R. Lee Ermey and Billy Bob Thornton's hilarious one liners. Michael Caine was a blast too.

[@Fernando-R]

Q

[@PhilofUp]

Honestly the last act of this movie has better action than most movies that come out today. If you pay attention to the bar fight you can spot a young Michael Jai White.

[@takayasu2009]

Seagal's speech at the end was a bit preachy, I felt. However, the topic wasn't bad.

[@traviseddings6267]

The hand-slap scene was good. So was the propeller-gore scene.

[@PrestonLions3]

i actually like this movie i don't care what everyone really says i have this on DVD i watched million times i liked it since 10 years ago still good film great review expect part when seagal made a mistake In 1995, Seagal was charged with employment discrimination, sexual harassment and breach of contract, Cheryl Shuman filed a case against Seagal, accusing him of threatening and beating her during the filming of On Deadly Ground but anyway he is not bad person everyone does a silly mistake. but anyway great review sold movie to defend i still like this movie.

[@JoeDredd2012]

24:04 ROFL! Another fun job bro I enjoy this film yes it has its flaws but for his first time directing debut Seagal didn't do a bad job I felt this film is miles,miles,miles better then Van Damme did with ''The Quest'' which I flat hated IMHO! Your right this isn't a action film I can defend I can understand why people may not care for it but still has great R rated action not as great as the 5 films Seagal has done before this film.

[@niksta007a]

I saw this in the cinema in 1994 and to be honest thought it was a stinker! Have seen it a couple of times since and agree with you it's really not that bad at all. Great review - please keep 'em coming!

[@ChattinBoxingWYB]

This is the first of Seagal's eco warrior trilogy with, On Deadly Ground, Fire Down Below and The Patriot.

[@devinharbert6071]

Loved Seagal, his Fighting, And Supporting Cast R. Lee Ermy, Billy Bob Thornton, And Michael Caine were Good

[@jasoncase9481]

I'm as confused as you Matt., and I go with it. A underrated action movie that is obviously flawed but still a decent flawed movie. I really don't understand why persons complain action movies have nothing to say then a action movie that has a lot to say how oil is detrimental to animals mostly in Ocean, plankton, pollution to the environment and why a alternative renewable fuel needs to replace oil still people bitch and complain.

[@milhanor]

Deserve the Oscar of best soundtrack.

[@carsonpeterson758]

The movie represents everything wrong with big action blockbusters as so critics deemed it that way

[@tthomaselli2]

A horrible movie, but, at least it isn't as bad as 'Fire Down Below'...

[@jacobfranks5572]

I love fire down below it had a good story

[@cameltoeinspector6015]

did Seagal crap his pants at any time during this movie?

[@happyplaceforever101]

Decker Shado youtube channel did a great scene by scene breakdown down of 'On Deadly Ground' and condensed the whole movie into 25 minutes for people that cant bring themselves to watch the whole hour and half movie. He hits on all the same points Matt did. But Matt is right; On Deadly Ground is so bad its good.

[@ramboraph4life]

I never said it was 'so bad its good'. I said that I like the film and don't think it's nearly as bad as people make it out to be...it just needed a few scenes cut out or better explained.

[@jasoncase9481]

BestAnimeFanservice I hate Jennings decides to walk away, and not fight. How extremely lame the main villain not fighting the hero. Extremely anticlimactic

[@kentuckycunctator]

I have never seen this. I'm gonna watch it and it give it a fair shake. You've piqued my interest.

[@jasoncase9481]

kentuckycunctator I assume you'll post your thoughts on the comments area and maybe a video on it

[@kentuckycunctator]

Yeah, I commented on it. KZbin may not be showing it, though. I thought it was an entertaining flick that looked great but worked too hard to convey its message. It has obvious flaws, but some overlooked qualities too. I would have hacked off the end speech, given Seagal more of a character arc and Billy Bob more lines.

[@jasoncase9481]

kentuckycunctator Also shown why exactly Forest was using cars. Persons have criticized he's a obvious hypocrite if he views oil as terrible but obviously uses multiple vehicles that use gasoline. Also I'm astounded people bitch and complain action movies have nothing to say then 1 a action movie communicates a large environmental message persons still complain either about the message or that action movies shouldn't communicate messages mostly about the world. It's like people just want to bitch and complain even when they are given what they asked for.

[@loayprettyboy206]

Why explosion expert put bombs next to oil wall I never noticed that There some delated scenes and some sex from trailer Warrner brothers delated all Just like cobra ...showdown in little tokyo fire down below and more

[@lukaszskywalker126]

I LIKE THIS MOVIE TOO GREAT SCRIPT

[@javietesparza7451]

Great movie have it on VHS cassette

[@c.j.meredith2085]

... care bears. Ha!

[@JoeDredd2012]

8:02 Yes I too would love to see those scenes cut out of the film 16:05 Fun scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5Skd4efpbusjdk