BELLY OF THE BEAST
Canada/UK/Hong Kong, 2003, 96 minutes, Colour.
Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Monica Lo, Tom Wu, Patrick Robinson.
Directed by Siu- Tung Ching.
Belly of the Beast is routine Steven Seagal action adventure – perhaps a little above average because of some complications of plot and the Thai setting as well as the photography in Thailand itself.
Seagal once again plays an ex-CIA agent who is working for them on the side. When his daughter and the daughter of a senator are kidnapped, he becomes involved. An arms-dealing group are accused of the kidnapping. However, the events are much more complicated, a corrupt CIA man dealing in drugs, getting local militia involved as well as the collaboration of the CIA with the Thai military.
This leads to a number of battles, a number of stunts (Seagal looking most unenergetic but doing some of his stunts but relying mainly on the stunt double). Byron Mann is better as his friend who has been a monk for ten years and decides, in gratitude towards Seagal, to leave the monastery and help him on his quest for his daughter.
The film is for Seagal fans – and was one of those which marked the transition from Seagal’s films screening in cinemas to going straight to video and DVD.
The director is a cinematographer and, for many years, a stunt director – which is evident throughout the film and the staging and photographing of the various stunts.
1.The popularity of Steven Seagal? Cinemas? Video and DVD?
2.As an action hero, his past? Ageing, putting on weight? His stolid presence? Unemotional expressions?
3.The title, the significance of the phrase, going into action and confronting evil?
4.The Thai locations, the city, the countryside, the Buddhist temples? Authentic feel? The special effects, the staging of the stunts? Slow-motion photography for weapons? The musical score?
5.The basic plot, familiar, the kidnapping and imprisonment of the girls, their being taunted and tortured, the final rescue?
6.Jake Hopper, a Steven Seagal character, working with the CIA, injuries, the ten years passing, helping out? In Hawaii? In Thailand? The impact of his daughter’s kidnapping? Going to the monastery, recruiting Sunti? The interactions with Lulu? His working out what had happened? The arms dealers, seeking information in the restaurant, going to the CIA, going to Fitch McQuaid? Going to the general? The arms deal at the train? The female warrior – and the irony of his being a man?
7.The variety of stunts, fights?
8.The gradual working out of the plot, the complications, the confrontation with McQuaid? The CIA members and their knowing what was happening? The rescue, the fights?
9.A satisfying example of B-budget action and martial arts films, straight to DVD audience?
