Library
Reference
The Beauty of Belly of the Beast
pg. 5
Tim: That last fight wasn’t 
half
bad, I’m pleased to report. But did you notice that Seagal’s
body double was sporting a stomach pillow during the fisticuffs? If I
was Seagal I’d have snapped his neck like a chicken for that transgression.
Any more notable lines?
Matt: Hopper to his double-crossing pal Fitch: "You're nothing but a trailer park bitch."
Tim: Sorry for the spoiler, but Hopper’s final line: “Goodbye brother.” Who’s he talking to, the audience? And as far as saying goodbye to people goes, I liked the little dedication to Trevor Murray before the credits. No offense to Seagal Sensei, but do you really want a straight-to-video Steven Seagal movie dedicated to you? Hmm…you know what? I guess I would like that, actually.
Matt: One sad omission: No “muppets.” [ed. Note: see The Film Basement’s “SeagalFest” article for an explanation of the term] No car chases either, and no hilariously inaudible Seagal dialogue. I too noticed a great deal of his voice was apparently dubbed by another actor -- finally a film that cares enough to let us know what Seagal is saying. Too bad there was no awkwardly misappropriated Eastern wisdom, or at least not much. No Mafia. No American big league actors slumming in supporting roles. Way too much slow motion.
Tim: Indeed, a veritable cornucopia of slo-mo in this one. Let’s hope the other three(!) Seagal movies in production have less in that department. Bring back the whispering, keep the ponytail long and proud, and let’s see more limbs bent in directions the Maker never intended. Overall I guess I enjoyed this movie more than some other Seagal films, say, The Patriot for example. But it was no Fire Down Below. He didn’t bust out that heavenly guitar work either! You’re right about the big-name actors slumming. Let’s see Seagal team up with Keenan Ivory Wayans again for "Glimmer Man 2". And what’s Scott Glenn, Anne Archer, or Nathan Lane doing that’s so important they can’t show some Seagal love? How about Steven and Paul Reubens vs. an army of Yakuza robots?
Matt: No it's not perfect. No it's not horrible. It fits perfectly in the middle. It might be a little dull in the second act, but it's still well made and features engaging performances by the supporting cast, particularly Byron Mann as Sunti, who will be appearing in the upcoming Halle Berry debacle, Catwoman. Monica Lo, who had a small role in Tung's aforementioned Naked Weapon, is cute and intriguing despite her small role as Seagal's paramour.
Seagal remains far more engaging than other action movie holdovers like Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme. This one isn't up to par with his recent success, Exit Wounds but hovers just below Ticker, which is both ham-fisted and fun. Belly of the Beast is exactly as cool as it is not-cool, which makes it great as a post-80's Seagal movie but a bit below average as a "real movie." It tries harder and has real talent behind it but it needs a stronger premise to be actual entertainment. By reaching for a higher level, the film lacks the goofy, hysterical awfulness of On Deadly Ground and Out for a Kill, which makes it shinier and more presentable, but less dumb-fun. That said, it's still relatively entertaining. If he continues his crossover to American studio work, Ching Su Tung is clearly a director to keep an eye on.
mg & th
Matt Goltz uses a “stabby stick” to protect himself in the big city. You’ve been warned.
Tim Hulsizer mixes two different breakfast cereals together in one bowl for variety.
Recent Updates
23 October 2007
Article by Mark
Supermania
6 August 2007
Article by Tom
Spreading the Disease
