OUT FOR A KILL (2003)

MORGAN'S RATING

Renowned archelogist Robert Burns has unearthed precious artifacts in the ancient ruins of eastern China, with plans to ship them off for restoration. But the Chinese Mafia, the Tong, have plans of their own. When Burns accidentally discovers the Tong are using the artifacts as containers for smuggling drugs overseas, he becomes marked for death. Framed for the murder of his assistant, Burns is thrown in a Chinese prison, but is released and used in an American/Chinese government plot as bait to attract the Tong. The trap is set and Burns takes on the Tong one man at a time in a blistering martial arts assult, leading up to a final confrontation with the Emperor of the Tong, who must face the wrath of a man out for a kill.

Steven Seagal (Robert Burns), Corey Johnson (Ed Grey), Michelle Goh (Tommie Ling), Kate Dobo (Maya Burns), Elaine Tan (Luo Yi), Michael Junior Harvey (King), Ozzie Yue (Fang Lee "The Barber"), Bruce Wang (Tang Zhill "The Bird"), Chike Chan (Mr. Chang), Dave Wong (Yin Quinshi), Chooi Kheng Beh (Wong Dal), Michael J. Reynolds (Dean), Vincent Wong (Luo Dashong), Ray Charleson (Crash), Edward Cox (DEA Agent), Ghe Kim Fai, Li Hou Kai, Zhang Wei Quo (Monks), Mashbat Uchroel (Young Boy), Gyo Shao Hen (Second Barber; Monkey Boy), Sang Lui, David Tan (Mahjong Parlor Thugs), Ganbator (Mr. Tan), Giselle Cherniak, Elgise Anderson (Tattoo Artists), Jia Ji Yu (Tattoo Master), Raicho Vasiley (Bulgarian Thug), Chris Pavlo (Luc Breton).

OUT FOR REVENGE. OUT FOR PAYBACK.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Michael Oblowitz (The Foreigner). WRITERS: Danny Lerner and Dennis Dimster-Denk. PRODUCERS: Steven Seagal, Randall Emmett, George Furla, Danny Lerner, John Thompson and David Varod.  ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Yennie Hao. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Danny Dimbort and Boaz Davidson.  CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Phillip B. Goldfine. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Roy Hay. DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia TriStar Home Video.

QUOTES

Robert Burns: I think you know how hard I've tried to put my past behind me. Well, it hasn't worked very well. They say, kill one to warn a hundred. I might have to kill a hundred to warn one. They say when one sets out on revenge to first dig two graves. And I know you know that meaning. But I promise you one thing -- the souls of our enemies will be ashes and dust and gone in the sky before the funerals of our loved ones. That's a promise.

FACTS

Tommie Ling: It's not that simple. I mean he's a professor, what if he's innocent? Ed Grey: If he's innocent, the pope wears panties.

RELEASE DATE: August 19th, 2003 (USA) (VIDEO PREMIERE) BUDGET: $20 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: September 2002 -- ??? - The fourth Steven Seagal film to get a video premiere, following The Patriot (1998), Ticker (2001) and The Foreigner (2003).

Robert Burns: I think I need a lawyer.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Give director Michael Oblowitz credit, though, for recognizing his material's weakness and tirelessly constructing flashy visuals to overshadow it." -- David Krauss, DigitallyObsessed

"It becomes a chore just to make it all the way to the closing credits." -- David Cornelius, Amazing Colossal Website

"If you're still awake by the time this one comes to a close, you're doing pretty well...OK, so martial arts fans still might find some of his moves interesting - but here's betting even they'll be yawning by second half." -- Clint Morris, Moviehole