Above the Law (also known as Nico: Above the Law,[3] or simply Nico[4]) is a 1988 American actionthriller film co-written, produced and directed by Andrew Davis. It marked the film debut of Steven Seagal, who also produced the film and co-authored the story alongside Davis, and stars Seagal alongside Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, Ron Dean and Henry Silva. Seagal plays Nico Toscani, an ex-CIA agent, an Aikido specialist and a Chicago policeman who discovers a conspiracy upon investigating a mysterious shipment of military explosives seized from a narcotics dealer.
The film originated after a successful screen test financed by Michael Ovitz, leading to Seagal being offered a contract by Warner Bros. It was set and filmed on location in Chicago, Davis’ hometown.[5] The film premiered in the United States on April 8, 1988, becoming a commercial success despite mixed reviews, and launching Seagal’s acting career. Above the Law is regarded as the first American film to feature Aikido in fight sequences.[6]
Plot
Nicolo “Nico” Toscani is an expert martial artist, who is recruited by the CIA during the Vietnam War. While serving in covert operations on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border, he became disgusted with agent Kurt Zagon, who tortures prisoners. A stand-off occurred when Toscani tries to stop him, and he leaves the CIA.
Years later, Toscani is now married and a detective in the Chicago Police Department’s vice squad. Toscani and his new partner Delores "Jacks" Jackson are investigating a drug ring, and after busting two of the dealers, including Salvadorian kingpin Tony Salvano, Toscani finds C-4 explosives. Shortly afterward, the men that Toscani and Jackson arrested are released at the request of federal officials, and Toscani is ordered to stand down. Later, the priest of Toscani's parish is killed in an explosion during Mass. Toscani’s old CIA handler Nelson Fox contacts him and tells him to move his family to a safer location, saying that he is in danger. Under pressure from the feds, Toscani is asked to turn in his badge. He eventually discovers that the dealers he busted are linked to Kurt Zagon, who is still with the CIA, and who is being accused of human rights violations by a Central American priest who was being sheltered by Toscani's priest. While Zagon is torturing the priest, Toscani bursts in and a gun battle ensues. Detectives Jackson and Lukich are wounded during the shootout, and Toscani has to flee.
Senator Ernest Harrison is investigating Zagon's group to reveal their ties to drug trafficking. When Toscani finds out that Zagon killed the priest and is planning to kill Harrison, he goes after him. Fox confronts Toscani while the latter is doing surveillance on a rooftop, but they are later interrupted by Zagon's men. Fox is killed and Toscani is captured. He is held in the kitchen of a hotel during a Harrison campaign rally. Before Zagon can kill Harrison, Toscani breaks free and kills Zagon and all of his remaining men. Afterwards, Toscani meets Harrison, who has been informed of everything. Harrison promises justice and Toscani says he is now willing to testify about his experiences with Zagon and covert operations in the CIA.
It has been reported that Steven Seagal was asked to make the film by his former aikido pupil, agent Michael Ovitz, who believed that he could make anyone a movie star.[7] Seagal had previously worked as a film stunt performer and fight choreographer, as well as a celebrity bodyguard, but Above the Law was his acting debut.[8] In addition to starring in the film, Seagal functioned as a producer, a co-screenwriter, and fight choreographer.
Seagal has claimed that portions of the film are autobiographical, and that he was employed by the CIA during the 1970's, initially as a martial arts instructor.[9] His wife at the time, Miyako Fujitani, has denied these claims, and there is no evidence Seagal has ever worked with the Central Intelligence Agency.[9]
During the filming of the final fight scene, Henry Silva accidentally broke Seagal's nose.[10]
John C. Reilly made his film debut, appearing (uncredited) as one of the thugs in the bar brawl.
Release
Home media
Warner Home Video released the Region 1 DVD in the United States on January 28, 1998.[11] The Region 2 DVD was released in the United Kingdom on April 26, 1999.[12] The Region-free Blu-ray Disc was released on April 7, 2009.[13]
Above the Law received mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 50%, based on reviews from 20 critics, with an average rating of 5.2/10.[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[16]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times stated "It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers."[17] In a negative review, Hal Hinson of The Washington Post criticized it as "woefully short on originality."[18][19] In another negative review, film historian Leonard Maltin described the picture as a "...slick but stupid action-fest; Seagal's thesping makes Chuck Norris seem like Laurence Olivier."[20]
Potential sequel
Seagal tweeted plans for Above the Law 2 on August 1, 2016, but as of 2025 the project remains unproduced.[21]
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