Andrew Davis (“The Fugitive”, “Holes”) directs this ambitious first outing for Steven Seagal (“Executive Decision”, “Half Past Dead”), which is no doubt the star’s finest picture. Seagal has a certain level enthusiasm here that is missing from his other work, making it a clear cut above.

Nico Toscani (Seagal) is a former-C.I.A. martial arts expert with family in the mafia and now lives as a policeman. He stumbles upon a major case of corruption after drug dealers he apprehended are released, their crimes dismissed and he is suspended. Now his family are in danger and he’s the only one who can stop the bad guys because he doesn’t care if he no longer has a badge.

Seagal lacks the charisma of the best action stars such as Clint Eastwood (“Dirty Harry”) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (“Predator”) but unlike his performances in his other films I found him to at least seem interested in making a movie in this one. Pam Grier (“Jackie Brown”) plays Nico’s partner but the problem is that her role is downplayed to make Seagal the star rather than this be a proper buddy cop film. Sharon Stone (“Basic Instinct”), who is no stranger to action movies and action stars plays Nico’s wife and she’s okay. The villains are unmemorable.

“Above The Law” may well feel routine but it is ambitious in the sense it gives its newcomer star a lot of stuff to do, not many people’s debut films allow that. Andrew Davis has directed much better films and also far worse movies than this so I can safely say this comes somewhere in the middle. The baddies are bland, Pam Grier isn’t given enough to do and it is hardly the most original film but the action scenes are good, it has amusing moments and it’s arguably Seagal’s best work.