Fire Down Below (1997)

Director: Felix Enriquez Alcala

Starring: Steven Seagal, Harry Dean Stanton, Stephen Lang, Kris Kristofferson

Primary genre: Action

Secondary genre: Martial Arts

The film that eventually was the last in Steven Seagal’s multi-picture contract with Warner Bros, “Fire Down Below” is kinda of a step up from his early 90’s action flicks which tend to feel indistinguishable. Dealing with environmental issues in a similar fashion to the much maligned directional debut of Seagal (“On Deadly Ground” (1994)), “Fire Down Below” bears honorable attitudes towards man’s treatment of mother nature complemented by the stark cinematography of Kentuckian landscapes of Tom Houghton.

Yet like so many Seagal films, the same problems exist here. A combination of the star’s ego and Warner Bros’ baffling creative choices - removing key dialogue scenes (and even action sequences) to make a straightforward flick - plunges the film with lack of emotional core, severe continuity issues and awkwardly ending scenes.

Felix Enriquez Alcala tries (and sometimes succeeds) to make the story work employing an appropriate Southern soundtrack and his handling of the (limited) action sequences is ok with the standout being a truck chase that comes close to activate the adrenaline glens. However, the fight scenes are far and few with too many cuts populated by cardboard individuals that crumble under one hit moves by our hero and demonstrating how much of a relic (or a diva) he has become with 10 years of fame.

As for the man himself, with so many fabricated stories and accusations that tend to overshadow any real credentials and making it difficult to separate reality from myths, Steven Seagal does have a cinematic presence that differentiates him from many action stars of the era. Tall and big like a grizzly bear with a bizarre sense of fashion, his action hero looks good. However, it is a shame though that despite nine films in, he maintains the same mannerisms showing no real strengths or progression as an actor with little or no sense of irony of his own skills at all. Even in that regard though, there is a wide array of interesting supporting characters (both good and bad) that are worth exploring and elevating the film to mediocre levels of entertainment.

“Fire Down Below” is not the Seagal worst film. It does have some merits - cinematography, solid direction and supporting cast, themes - but the action is banal due to Seagal’s unwillingness to go the extra mile with a main character that bears no growth, flaws or lack of skills and a botched script that does not do the environmental topics any justice.

Only for the hardcore fans.

Noble borderline mediocrity

+Environmental themes

+Solid supporting cast

+Great cinematography

+Seagal still has presence

-…although it is an one note presence

-Banal fights scenes…

-No depth or exploration

-One note main character

-Continuity is all over the place