08-07-2020, 02:22 PM
Under Siege (1992)
'Under Siege' is probably the best of the 'Die Hard' wannabes and I watched this a ton of times back in the 90s. It does have it's own elements that make it feel different enough from 'Die Hard'. Unlike the struggling every-man 'John McClane', Steven Seagal's Casey Ryback' is an unstoppable, limitlessly proficient superman. His self-deprecating modesty keeps you on his side but the inevitability of his victory does make him feel almost like the antagonist. The group of terrorists seem to be having so much fun doing their evil deeds and get so upset when Ryback keeps screwing up all their careful plans, that you kinda want them to beat him, like they were the protagonists. Top terrorist Tommy Lee Jones is half the movie, almost every line is never knowingly under delivered, quotable gold. Gary Busey's performance is crazy genius too. This is definitely Seagal's best attempt at acting (which isn't saying much), managing to have quite a bit of chemistry and banter with improbable playboy bunny sidekick Erika Eleniak.
Who even needs Seagal and explosions when you've got these two characters together in a scene...?
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
I loved 1992's 'Die Hard' knockoff 'Under Siege' but this sequel got so panned that I never bothered to see it until now. It's no masterpiece but I'd much rather re-watch this again than either of the last two genuine 'Die Hard' sequels. Steven Seagal is a pudgy, wooden, charisma vacuum but luckily the rest of the cast is stocked with scenery chewing character actors like Eric Bogosian, Everett McGill, Jonathan Banks and Kurtwood Smith giving it their all. It's all pretty cliched stuff but the action is pretty entertaining. The heart pumping score by the late great Basil Poledouris helps to elevate the whole experience. There is a lot of ropy early CGI unfortunately but lots of real stunts and blood squibs too. If you just want some preposterous popcorn entertainment then 'Under Siege 2: Dark Territory' fits the bill.
'Under Siege' is probably the best of the 'Die Hard' wannabes and I watched this a ton of times back in the 90s. It does have it's own elements that make it feel different enough from 'Die Hard'. Unlike the struggling every-man 'John McClane', Steven Seagal's Casey Ryback' is an unstoppable, limitlessly proficient superman. His self-deprecating modesty keeps you on his side but the inevitability of his victory does make him feel almost like the antagonist. The group of terrorists seem to be having so much fun doing their evil deeds and get so upset when Ryback keeps screwing up all their careful plans, that you kinda want them to beat him, like they were the protagonists. Top terrorist Tommy Lee Jones is half the movie, almost every line is never knowingly under delivered, quotable gold. Gary Busey's performance is crazy genius too. This is definitely Seagal's best attempt at acting (which isn't saying much), managing to have quite a bit of chemistry and banter with improbable playboy bunny sidekick Erika Eleniak.
Who even needs Seagal and explosions when you've got these two characters together in a scene...?
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
I loved 1992's 'Die Hard' knockoff 'Under Siege' but this sequel got so panned that I never bothered to see it until now. It's no masterpiece but I'd much rather re-watch this again than either of the last two genuine 'Die Hard' sequels. Steven Seagal is a pudgy, wooden, charisma vacuum but luckily the rest of the cast is stocked with scenery chewing character actors like Eric Bogosian, Everett McGill, Jonathan Banks and Kurtwood Smith giving it their all. It's all pretty cliched stuff but the action is pretty entertaining. The heart pumping score by the late great Basil Poledouris helps to elevate the whole experience. There is a lot of ropy early CGI unfortunately but lots of real stunts and blood squibs too. If you just want some preposterous popcorn entertainment then 'Under Siege 2: Dark Territory' fits the bill.
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