REVIEW: Pistol Whipped

Revenge is best served Seagaled.

The dodgy straight-to-video efforts from aging aikido wizard Steven Seagal have definitely shown marked improvement as of late, a fact which thoroughly delights this reviewer to no end. His latest empty-headed action epic and first 2008 release Pistol Whipped (or Deathly Weapon, or Marker) is probably the big guy's best film in at least a decade, giving hardcore fans another reason to spit in the face of his many detractors, myself included. The central story isn't anything to wet your diapers over, of course, but it does pack enough power in its breezy 110 minutes to warrant investigation by anyone who once considered themselves a fan. Though some of his doubling is quite obvious at points, Seagal contributes greatly to almost all of his fast and furious fight sequences, of which there are more than enough to satisfy. Additionally, director Roel Reiné somehow manages to squeeze a quasi-dramatic performance from our rotund hero; instead of pretending he's a former CIA agent at the very top of his game, Seagal realistically portrays this down-on-his-luck anti-hero as he should be: tired, haggard, and willing to slap a hole in your pathetic forehead. And while the climatic graveyard confrontation is easily the film's shining moment, there's enough brutal carnage sprinkled throughout to keep you locked and loaded for the duration. It's still a cinematic outlet for Seagal's swollen ego, mind you, but it's still one hell of a ride. I hope this trend continues well into the future.

Recipe For Success: Seagal's Dramatic Turn + Lots Of Silly Gunplay + Some Good Lovin'

Rules Of Cinema: If you're going to cast Lance Henriksen in your motion picture, at least have the decency to give him a few lines.

Never waste the Henriksen. Ever.