NICO (ABOVE THE LAW)

US, 1988, 99 minutes, Colour.
Steven Seagall, Pam Grier, Henry Silva, Sharon Stone.
Directed by Andrew Davis.

Nico (Above the Law) is a typical drug-police story of the late '80s. Set in Chicago, the hero, played by Steven Seagall, a martial arts expert who has a history of service in Vietnam in a special Corps, knows about drug dealings over there and comes face to face with past enemies in high places in Chicago.

The material is familiar, similar to that of Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris. In fact, the director, Andrew Davis, directed Norris in Code of Silence (also with Henry Silva as the villain). Slam-bang action about desperate situations in drug-dealing and abuse in the United States.

1. Enjoyable police story, drug-dealing and drug empires, the law, above the law of the land, the role of the C.I.A. and government?

2. The use of Chicago, the city and its environment? Stunts and special effects work? Atmospheric score?

3. The police and drug thrillers of the late '80s? The role of the law, its helplessness, tough individuals, the unscrupulousness of the drug empire barons?

4. The hero as tough, stolid, on the side of the law, taking the law to its edge, might is right?

5. The introductory biography: the background of Italy, Japan, martial arts training, Vietnam, the work of the C.I.A., the brutal encounter with Zagon and his cruelty, the effect - and the escape?

6. Chicago 1988: the baptism, the police and their work, the tough hero: the bar and the bashing? His niece? The drugs and the thugs and bashing? Working with Delores, headquarters, the F.B.I? Release? The church, Father Gennaro, sanctuary, explosion? The senator's aide? Fox, the revenge and the F.B.I? The badge, the shooting attempt information about the priest? The fight, chase, capture? Being injected with the drug? The vindication, telling all? Japan information? The final heroics? Defeat of Zagon? A sketch of the police character, family, emotions, Italian background, Italian setting?

7. The sketch of the family, Italian background, the priest, the police, wife, danger, pride?

8. Delores and her work, character, help? 'Die?'

9. The sketch of Zagon, his career in Vietnam, the C.I.A., gangs, associates, the senator, the brutal killings, the priest? Zagon and his vanity? The final confrontation with Nico?

10. A tough film, violent, gangster types, how can society cope, C.I.A. and government, the role of the police, individuals? Who is above the law?