4K Ultra HD Review – Under Siege (1992)

      Under Siege, 1992.

      Directed by Andrew Davis.

      Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey, Tommy Lee Jones, Erika Eleniak, Bernie Casey, Troy Evans, Patrick O’Neal, Colm Meaney, Raymond Cruz.

      SYNOPSIS:

      When terrorists seize control of the USS Missouri on its last voyage, it's up to former Navy SEAL-turned-cook Casey Ryback to save the ship.

      There's plenty to discuss about action films from the 1990s, and even more about the ongoing saga that is Steven Seagal. Believe it or not, there was a period when the release of a new Seagal film generated genuine excitement, particularly among teenage boys eager to fulfill their action hero dreams. Seagal, unlike hulking musclemen like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone, was perceived as more relatable to the average, overly enthusiastic fan, effortlessly dispatching waves of henchmen with flips and throws while hardly breaking a sweat.

      However, we now understand that much of this was a product of clever editing and ego, as Seagal wasn’t truly wielding powers akin to Emperor Palpatine; his adversaries often assisted his 'skills' by launching themselves when he raised his hands. Nevertheless, this made for entertaining cinema, and within Seagal's action-packed repertoire, none is as captivating as 1992's Under Siege, which has been revitalized in 4K UHD by Arrow Video.

      To fully enjoy Under Siege, one must look back further to 1988 and the iconic action film Die Hard (which you may recognize). In it, an (alleged) everyman confronts terrorists in a high-rise building. The protagonist, John McClaine, played by Bruce Willis, was also not a bodybuilder, setting off a trend of ‘Die Hard in a…’ rip-offs, pitting a single character against groups of villains in confined spaces. Movies like Speed, The Rock, Cliffhanger, Sudden Death, Passenger 57, Air Force One, Con Air, and Speed 2: Cruise Control followed, demonstrating that the formula worked well in various contexts, but Under Siege came closest to replicating Die Hard's thrill and tension. In this film, Seagal portrays Casey Ryback, a Navy cook who must not only rescue the USS Missouri from terrorists but also prevent them from launching missiles that could annihilate millions and destroy Honolulu. Ryback, incidentally, is a former Navy SEAL who was demoted due to his behavior and temperament, among other things.

      That essentially sums up the plot. There are additional elements, like Tommy Lee Jones portraying the deranged William Strannix, a rogue former special ops agent with a hinted history with Ryback (though it remains unexplored), and the film's ‘90s ethos introduces a female sidekick—played by former Baywatch actress Erika Eleniak—who gets to wield weapons and fight alongside Seagal. Still, the creators knew their audience, ensuring a gratuitous topless scene early on.

      Naturally, this is The Steven Seagal Show, and he delivers as expected, whispering his lines while taking out henchmen using a variety of weapons—he even creates a bomb from a microwave! Despite the chaos, his heart rate remains steady. Ryback is portrayed as an expert with every type of firearm and blade, pilot helicopters, and efficiently handle Navy gear, which proves useful in his predicament. This skill appears to rub off as Eleniak’s character, Jordan Tate, swiftly transitions from a topless bunny girl to instructing a fellow Navy sailor on machine gun usage in less than an hour.

      It's all quite absurd, but what differentiates Under Siege from other Die Hard imitations is its exceptional supporting cast, led by Tommy Lee Jones as Strannix, who showcases both charisma and madness, clearly relishing his role; he even engages in a close-quarters knife fight with Seagal and holds his own (though Seagal enjoys the better camera angles). Gary Busey portrays Commander Krill, Ryback's adversary and Strannix's insider. Much like Jones, Busey seems to be having a fantastic time playing his unhinged character (though it’s hard to tell how much is acting). Imagining Busey as The Riddler in Batman Forever instead of Jim Carrey is an interesting thought, given their chemistry.

      While Under Siege is undeniably entertaining, a question arises regarding the value of a 4K UHD upgrade, especially for those who already own the Blu-ray. As with many films from that era shot on film stock, Under Siege doesn't shine with vibrant colors and effects, appearing somewhat dull. While explosions and the reds and greens of radar are visually striking, much of the film takes place on a grey battleship, and while the 4K edition reveals intricate details—such as rivets—you