Release Date: April 19, 2011
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Genre: Action
Rated: R    1 hr 38 mins

Born to Raise Hell

June 24, 2011

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

*Comments:

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If it weren’t for his splendid return as the lead villain in Machete, Steven Seagal has been absent from the big screen since 2001.  Unfortunately Born To Raise Hell quickly returns Seagal back to his direct-to-DVD career where once again, he portrays some sort of law enforcement agent.  Fortunately, Born to Raise Hell is one of Seagal’s better potboiler flicks.

Leading the International Drug Task Force, Bobby Samuels (Seagal) has a score to settle.  His first partner was killed in the line of duty and his newest partner isn’t as aggressive as he is soon to be a father. So that leaves Samuels left to roll up his sleeves and go after the vile Gypsy drug dealer virtually alone.  Well, until Samuels enlists the aid of a former Russian Spetnaz turned drug lord.  Oh, Samuels also has some relationship troubles due to his job leading the I.D.T.F. and a few career issues since he is willing to help the bad guy to get at an even worse criminal.

Here is where Born to Raise Hell gets crummy.  First, the title of the movie has nothing to do with the movie unless it is some nod that Seagal was born to play similar roles in just about every movie he has been in.  Honestly, outside of Machete, when has Seagal not played the hard boiled authority figure?  Hell, he even is deputized and delivering a dose of reality on Steven Seagal: Lawman. Rant aside, the grindhouse-esque title does not match up with the movie.  Secondly, there is no rhyme or reason to the weird editing choices of slow-motion, jump frames and flashbacks with flash-forwards. They are distracting and serve no purpose.  Perhaps impressive stuntman/stunt coordinator Lauro Chartrand tried a bit too hard to be mod on his directorial debut.

But where Born to Raise Hell succeeds is the now-portly Seagal is back delivering more Aikido ass-kickings than gratuitous gun-fu.  Yes, there is still plenty of firearm frenzy, but it’s nice to see Seagal back to tossing bad guys around than just delivering his tough guy babble and blowing them away. This may have to do with Seagal not only producing the film, but writing it too.  Either way, it puts Born to Raise Hell atop of his direct-to-DVD fare as Seagal is back to doing what Seagal does best.  Also, the film was shot on location in Bucharest so not only do we get to see some interesting locations; we get plenty of exotic Euro-babes.  There are even a few babes that wield heavy artillery and heaving bosoms at the same time.

Nowhere near the awesomeness of his 90s action/martial arts masterpieces, Born to Raise Hell will at least satisfy his loyal fan base that have endured some serious stinkers just to catch a few glimpses of Seagal’s Aikido skills.  Recommended to hardcore Seagal fans only.

CAST:

Steven Seagal:  Bobby Samuels
Dan Badarau:  Dimitri
Darren Shahlavi:  Costel
Cosmina Pasarin:  Nina
D. Neil Mark:  Steve

DIRECTOR:

Lauro Chartrand