Marked for Death (1990)

I cannot believe this film got such bad ratings as it is one of my favourite action flicks of all time. Marked for Death has Steven Seagal playing John Hatcher a cop whose out for revenge against a gang of Jamaican drug dealers. The film has some terrific action sequences and set pieces, example being the shopping centre fight which really showcases Seagal's talents. This has excellent pacing as well as good location shoots. The score for Marked for Death is amazing, suiting the film so well, giving it the right sinister kind of atmosphere. The voodoo elements were cool, Screwface has to be one of the best villains and the twist at the end is unexpected. The violence in the uncut version is some of the most brutally realistic you can find in a mainstream action flick, with Seagal snapping bones as if they were twigs. Be warned though, like most of Seagal's films, in the U.K Marked for Death was cut badly by the censors so nearly all of the bone breaking violence is now gone, leaving just a standard badly edited action film. If you want to see the real power of Marked for Death then you would be advised get your hands on the uncut versions somehow. The only minor flaw with this film is that the beginning in Mexico is a little ropey, but apart from that the only Seagal flick that Warner bros didn't make but Fox did, deserves a place next to Under Seige 2 as being one of my favourite Steven Seagal films.

Fmovies: A war veteran and ex-drug agent named John Hatcher (Steven Seagal) retires himself from his dangerous employment. He returns to his family , his sister (Bette Ford) and nephew(Danielle Harris). But he confronts against a Jamaican dope delinquents led by Screwface (Basil Wallace who's a better villain than Seagal's previous films). And as the title says marked him and his family for death. Hatcher and his pals (Keith David and Tom Wright) are back in action to track down the Jamaican killer who is threatening his family. Then Hatcher and Screwface playing a cat-and-mouse game.

Elaborately produced action film with tough Seagal is just another action film full of struggles ,thrills, noise and lots of violence. Ever-wooden Seagal as almost always, playing a two-fisted and loner cop, he delivers the goods in his own style full of usual violence and fights with snapping wrists and worth it just to see Steve in Jamaica where appears singing Jimmy Cliff. Atmospheric musical score by James Newton Howard though composed by synthesizer and appropriate cinematography by Ric Waite. The picture was made in the Seagal's best period when he played high budget movies such as ¨Hard to kill¨(1990 by Bruce Malmuth), ¨Under siege¨ ( Seagal's best film to date, 92, Andrew Davis), ¨Dark territory¨ (95, Geoff Murphy), ¨Executive decision¨ (96 by Stuart Baird), ¨Glimmer man¨ ((96, John Gray), ¨Exit wounds¨(2001, Andre Bartkowiak), among others. Nowadays he does fairly low standards, lesser budget and direct to video movies, such as ¨Half past dead¨, ¨The foreigner¨ and its sequel and many others.

Director Dwight H. Little who gave credibility to Wesley Snipes in 'Murder at 1600' teams up with Aikido expert Seagal for this action-filled cop thriller. The result is a strong outing for action enthusiasts and Seagal is fun to watch.

Of course they were! (That is the best line from this, or perhaps any movie)

This, the third of Seagal's 4 greatest movies ('Above the law', 'hard to kill' and 'out for justice' being the others) delivers on all fronts. It is vintage Seagal. If you have seen and enjoyed 'Under Siege', then check the afformentioned titles out. They are truly gritty action movies, with the usual glimpse of Seagal-like humour. Simple stories with simple and often brutal outcomes.

In Marked for Death we focus on John Hatcher, who is forced to retire from the DEA after his partner and friend is killed when undercover. Fed up with the system, he returns to his hometown and finds gangs of 'Jamaicans' (known as Posses) selling drugs to schoolkids. This sickens Hatcher, and when he and an old friend try and stop it, they become 'Marked for Death'.

I must say, this is a great action movie, they just don't make it like this anymore. My personal favourite, 'Hard to kill' is slightly better in my opinion, but they are all great movies. They don't try and complicate the plot too much, because it knows the audience wants action, not plot twists and a simple story, that's somewhat believable.

One fault is the ridiculous body doubles used for some Jamaicans in some fight scenes (white people with Bob Marley wigs painted brown), but for me, this just adds to the enjoyment.

Check it out for sure.

Marked for Death fmovies. In 'Marked for Death,' Seagal is simply a retired undercover troubleshooter for the DEA who moves back to his home town ignoring that Jamaican drug pushers known as posses are invading his old neighborhood... He sees his little niece hit after a shootout, and later his sister almost sacrificed in a voodoo ceremony...

Torture and maiming are posse trademarks and posse gunmen are said to prefer shooting their victims in public... Seagal never gives up and never loses his temper... He lets his actions speak for him... He perfectly knows that he has to strike the root in order to stop the evil-doers... He has to destroy their system, and kill their supreme leader... Otherwise they will never stop until he and his family are dead...

Seagal is steely eyed and calm yet quick on the trigger, skillful with the use of sword, and no superior force can dash his style... However, it is not just his talent as a martial-arts champ that has attracted his growing legion of fans but his enigmatic charisma...

First off, Seagal rules. I don't care what anyone says. He is the greatest American action star (well in his early films at least) and marked for death portrays him at his brutal bone snapping best.

This is one of the fastest films i have ever watched, not only is it never boring but it is constantly entertaining. Seagal slays lots of hapless goons right from the off and manages to act well in the non action scenes. But thats what its about ACTION. No it never won any awards, of course not its an ACTION film. Screw kill bill no one serves up a bit of revenge like Seagal.

You know the plot.........find it elsewhere thats not important he and his family are MARKED FOR DEATH. Of course Seagal cannot have this so he goes and kills a lot of people. Not original but who actually cares? The Jamaican view provides interest,and there's a good twist near the end. The ending itself is excellent, ending much more openly than the average action fest.

Seagal is on top form as always, Keith David is good as his friend, Basil Wallace justly insane as Screwface and Tom Wright is likable as the Jamaican sidekick. Overall more should see this film, but the American version mind, UK one is heavily cut.

Warning: this film is full of extreme violence. If you do not enjoy peoples arms and backs being broken, eyes being gouged out, hands chopped off, people being shot left right and centre the you will not enjoy this film. And thats just what I'm looking for!

'Marked for Death' is Vintage Fun. Power-Packed, Fast-Paced, Action-Packed & Loud, it has it all. Also, its damn cool to watch bad-ass Steven Seagal getting it right completely.

'Marked for Death' stars Seagal as John Hatcher, a former DEA troubleshooter. Upon moving back to his home town, Hatcher finds it taken over by a gang of vicious Jamaican drug dealers, led by the twisted Screwface.

'Marked for Death' is Power-Packed, Fast-Paced & Loud Cinema at its best. The film never loses pace & always keeps you engrossed. Michael Grais & Mark Victor's Screenplay is Great Fun. Dwight H. Little's Direction is decent. Cinematography & Editing are fair, while the Action-Sequences/Fights are awesome.

Performance-Wise: Seagal gets it right completely. His fights are a pleasure to watch & does his part with great energy & style. Basil Wallace as the twisted Screface is frightening. Keith David is perfect.

On the whole, 'Marked for Death' is Vintage Fun!