Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Leofwine_draca A latter-day beat-em-up starring action man Steven Seagal in the midst of his environmentally friendly persona, this is actually better than one might expect and it turns out to be one of Seagal's best movies. Certainly, the direction, supporting cast, action, and script are a lot better than one would expect from the straight-to-video genre and Seagal puts in one of his most commanding performances in recent years, even if he does insist on wearing silly looking clothes. Fine photography of the setting and a foot-tapping bottleneck score add to the experience and I can safely say that I enjoyed every minute of this yarn.If you remove all of the romance, incestuous brother/sister relationships, corrupt businessmen, and porch-building interludes which pad out the story what you're left with is a basic tale of Seagal vs. a large number of bad guys. There's nothing wrong with this in my mind and the action, when it comes, is authentic if a little tricksy with the camera at times. Watching Seagal take out a gang of weapon-wielding thugs within a matter of seconds is always great fun and the violence comes hard and fast, just like Seagal's punches - it's nice to see it hasn't been toned down in what is otherwise almost a family tale, or perhaps western-based fable. Although a shoot-out in a toxic mine is mishandled, each and every other moment of action in the film is cool and worth waiting for.Aside from Seagal, delivering once again a quietly-spoken, impassive, and eco-friendly hardman like in all of his other movies, we have some good actors turning up in the supporting cast. First up is Marg Helgenberger as the fragile love interest who (as always) puts in a decent and commendable performance. New faces like Stephen Lang (AVATAR) and Brad Hunt (a wimpy kid) give interesting turns whilst the heavy stuff is left to Kris Kristofferson. Then there's old-timer Harry Dean Stanton (who sings!) putting in a sympathetic role as, well, an old-timer, and some decent heavies for Seagal to go up again.The action-focused plot moves along quickly and offers up plenty of incident in its running time. There are car chases, an amazing stunt of a tanker crashing over a cliff, shoot-outs, bar-room brawls, and plenty of other cool bits for genre fans to enjoy, all performed stylishly and exciting. Yet, crucially, the story itself would work well without these so they can be enjoyed as added bonuses rather than carrying the film along as in so many of Seagal's lower-budgeted productions. A crime that decent action fare like this is relegated to the straight-to-video market when the bigger-bucks brainlessness of UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN still makes it into the cinemas.

SnoopyStyle The EPA lost an agent under suspicious circumstances in the Appalachians. Jack Taggart (Steven Seagal) goes undercover as a carpenter to Jackson, Kentucky. Orin Hanner Sr. (Kris Kristoffersson) is the owner of Hanner Coal Company and is being paid to dump toxic barrels in the mines. Taggart faces resistance from the Hanner thugs, local cops and local criminals. He finds an ally in bee keeper Sarah Kellogg (Marg Helgenberger) but locals believe she murdered her father. Her brother Earl (Stephen Lang) has a dark secret.Steven Seagal doesn't really blend in the Appalachians. He may as well be wearing neon as he goes undercover. He is a fish out of water and it's very strange. The man has a limited number of skills. It's fine to like his narrow types of movies, but this doesn't feel like one of those. It's funny when he's talking to the locals with southern accents. The whole thing feels more like a joke than a thriller.

vleonica-44-795280 The only other films he's made that I like are Executive Decision & On Deadly Ground. I think that the majority of his films are not making good use of Mr Seagal's unique talents. His quite demeanor, fighting skills & good looks. He should be doing films more on the line of what David Carradine excelled in, which was his TV Series Kung Fu & Kung Fu the Legend Continues. Betwixt the two, the only obvious differences in Kwai Chang Caine & Mr. Seagal that I can discern is that Mr. Seagal does display a breaking point in regards to his temper & he likes girls. I saw him in concert in Laughlin. NV back in the 90's, my only comment was his soft speaking manner, even at the concert, I was in the front row, I did ask him to speak up. His expression was one of questionable politeness, and to mine and everyone present, he did speak a mite louder. This film displays that man, meaning the man who was giving the concert. BTW... IMDb states his role in Executive Decision to be a cameo, how can anyone refer to a part lasting nigh on 45 minutes, a cameo. In regards to the statement: "Seagal considers him to have been the most important martial arts teacher in his life." I find it hard to believe that anyone would have trouble understanding this... It should go without saying that each man/woman, for good or ill, is their own best teacher, only they themselves can make use of what another teaches them & until the individual understands this, their knowledge & skill can not be put to it's best use. Unfortunately most never do. Yes, this film is his sure-fire best. If you haven't sen it then put it on your To Do list, if you have, then see it again, it's an hour & 45 minutes well spent.

Wuchak Released in 1997, "Fire Down Below" stars Steven Seagal as an EPA agent who goes undercover in SE Kentucky to investigate the evil deeds of a corporate mogul played by Kris Kristofferson & his minions, which includes dumping toxic waste in abandoned mines and murder. Seagal masquerades as a do-gooder helping people with his carpentry skills and living at a local church, but mogul's cronies are on to him and try to chase him away.The plot kinda reminds me of Clint Eastwood's 1985 "Pale Rider" (which borrowed heavily from "Shane"). A lone stranger comes into town and befriends the common folks, saving them from the evil tycoon and his motley crew. The difference is that "Fire Down Below" is an Eastern rather than a Western and it takes place in modern times. Seagal may not have the supernatural overtones of Clint in "Pale Rider" but his heroics are so fantastical he comes off a bit supernatural just the same.Seagal, of course, is a highly likable protagonist. He's ultra-confident, cool and soft-spoken at all times; and he knows how to kick some serious arse. Numerous times throughout the film he takes on multiple attackers and wins without even breaking a sweat. Unbelievable? Yes, but Seagal makes it believable. He is, after all, 6'4", dressed in cool black threads and a master of all kinds of martial arts.Some say Seagal's a bad actor, but this isn't true. If someone is giving a bad acting performance you can tell because there's an awkward air to their delivery and you don't buy them in the role. This is not the case with Steven. Never for a second does the viewer question Seagal as the protagonist. It may be the only character Seagal can play, but he does it well.Plus Seagal has numerous great one-liners throughout the film. For instance, late in the film he confronts his EPA colleague who has sold out to Kristofferson and says, "You're a piece of s*** and I'm ashamed of you." The line is perfect and perfectly delivered, not to mention so true-to-life. Hasn't anyone ever betrayed you, abused you or disappointed you to the point where you finally give up with the realization that they're just a shameless and shameful piece of s***?One of the best highlights for me is the gorgeous Appalachian locations and cinematography. The picture was filmed on location in SE Kentucky -- Hazzard, Mt. Vernon and points between to be exact. I feel Appalachia is largely under-utilized in filmmaking and greatly enjoy it when films take advantage of this magnificent area of the USA.Seagal's romantic interest is played by Marge Halgenberger, who became popular a few years after this film starring in TV's CSI. She's very believable as the local infamous woman who has a strange relationship with her brother, played by Stephen Lang.Another highlight is the blues/country music heard throughout the picture. It turns out that Seagal wrote or co-wrote many of the songs featured and even performs one on camera. I never even knew he was a musician! There's even a country-ish Jimi Hendrix song. Plus a couple Country stars make cameos, like Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt.FINAl ANALYSIS: "Fire Down Below" falters a bit in the final act but, other than that, I love this film. It has everything you'd expect in a film that takes place in hillbilly country -- good family folks, rednecks, poverty, coal mines, brawls, alcohol, pot farms, backcountry churches, incest and country music. The best feature for me is the genuine Appalachian locations and photography. Add likable Steven Seagal to the mix and you have a winner! As another reviewer has stated, Seagal has a totally winning personality -- a hero with a heart of purest gold. He's certainly someone worth emulating in my book. In fact, in this film he represents all (or most) of the qualities of authentic manhood missing in our current society that celebrates effeminized and weak men (another good example would be Clint Walker in 1966' "Night of the Grizzly").Lastly, I should warn action fans that this is hardly an all-out action film. Yes, there are action pieces interspersed throughout, but they flash by with a few blinks of an eye. "Fire Down Below" is a drama/action/thriller wherein the story plays out fairly leisurely, but with bursts of great violence. Although "Under Siege" is technically a better film and arguably Seagal's all-time best picture, I personally favor "Fire Down Below" for the reasons cited above.The film runs 105 minutes. GRADE: B+