5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not half bad..., December 28, 2003
Half Past Dead, is a reasonably entertaining, comic book level, action flick. While no masterpiece, it does have its moments, and some pleasant surprises. Action veteran Steven Seagal heads a diverse cast, and though we don't see too much of his trademark fighting style, he delivers a solid performance, with perhaps a bit more depth of character than usual.
Seagal is Sasha Petrosevitch, an undercover FBI agent, working to gain the confidence of Nick, a big time car thief, played by rapper Ja Rule. After a confrontation with the FBI, both men are incarcerated on Alcatraz. Bruce Weitz (Hill Street Blues) is Lester McKenna, a prisoner who has stolen and hidden 20 million in gold bullion. On death row, he is about to be executed, when the prison is invaded by the "49ers", a group of criminals who want McKenna to reveal the gold's location. Morris Chestnut is Donnie Johnson (49er One), the group's charismatic and ruthless leader. His second in command is 49er Six, played with style and panache, by the explosive and sexy Nia Peeples. Johnson's plans need to be adjusted, when the inmates get involved.
Actor/Writer/Director Don Michael Paul provides an informative commentary that stresses and details, the trials and tribulations of bringing this low budget production to the screen. Paul's screenplay was originally written years before, but was shelved because of similarity to Jerry Bruckheimer's film, "The Rock". Rewritten to incorporate modern elements of hip-hop culture, Paul explains that his goal was to produce a fast paced film, with a stylized music video vibe. His big screen directorial debut was filmed primarily in Berlin, shortly after the 9/11 incident. Despite the monetary difficulties, the film delivers some decent action scenes, with enough of a plot to hold things together. Rated PG-13, it contains massive amounts of gunfire and violence, punctuated by a rap and metal soundtrack.
Ja Rule's performance is quirky, and he does a passable job in his action scenes. Morris Chestnut makes an eloquent and intelligent villain. Linda Thorson, as a Supreme Court Judge, and Bruce Weitz, are not bad. Supporting characters played by Claudia Christian, Tony Plana, and the rapper Kurupt, are less developed and more one-dimensional.
Nia Peeples is a suprisingly impressive bad girl. Costumed in a tight black outfit, her look combines elements from The Crow, and The Matrix. Peeples looks great carrying a gun, and performs most of her own fight scenes. Her background as a dancer is put to good use, as her flashy fighting style primarily features kicking and jumping, bringing an edge to the proceedings.
As for Steven Seagal, this film, like Exit Wounds, seeks to build some ties with hip-hop culture. His character is troubled, reflective, and a bit restrained, taking the back seat at times to others. He doesn't engage in much hand to hand, and editing makes his fight scenes flow. Those looking for old school Steven, may be disappointed, but the reality is that time catches up with all of us. Nonetheless, Seagal carries the film, making it an enjoyable and entertaining escape for action film aficionados.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One question, November 23, 2002
I would really like to know why almost every film that I like lately, is put down badly by the movie reviewers, like Ebert! I'm finding it's getting more and more repetitive, anyways, this movie I thought was really good! Just by looking at the trailer I knew it would be good, and it hints you that Ja Rule plays the bad guy, well, that's what I thought anyway, but, I was WRONG! Ja Rule is a prisoner of alcatraz joined by FBI Agent faking being prisoner/criminal(Seagel), just wanting to be Ja Rule's friend to find out information on what happened to Seagel's wife. Morris Chestnut plays the bad guy in the movie, him and his team breakin into alcatraz and start killing guards in demand of ransom. Sounds like The Rock(Cage, Connery, Harris) Well, turns out for much different reasons and the way it's connected is much different! Plus, this is the new alcatraz, if you didn't catch that in the trailer, with an excecution chair! It's a cool movie, really well done by the actors, Ja Rule finally learned to not swear every line, he doesn't swear half as much in this movie as in Turn It Up, but it was meant like that for Turn It Up, anyways, both movies are good and I suggest to anyone to look at this great movie!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Half Past Dead, November 23, 2004
A Kid's Review
Fully Armed.
Totally Outnumbered.
Completely Unexpected.
Welcome to Alcatraz "The Rock" has just re-opened for business,but the first criminal slated for the electric chair is also sitting on a secret worth $200 million. And an invading group of commandoes isen't going to let his fortune go up in smoke. Already undercover in Alcatraz,FBI Agent Petrosevitch has to neutralize the situation and rescue a Supreme Court Justice held hostage. Worse,he has to convince his convict "partner" and the other inmates to fight on the right side of the law.
SPECIAL FEATURES IN THIS SPECIAL EDITION DVD ARE:
.Widescreen and Fullscreen Presentations
.Digitally Mastered Audio and Anamorphic Video
.Audio: English 5.1(Dolby Digital), French
.Subtitles: English,French
.Audio Commentary with Director Don Michael Paul
.Deleted Scenes
.Cinemax Special: On the set of Half Past Dead
.Theatrical Trailers
.Interactive Menus
.Scene Selections
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