It makes sense that Under Siege is the first Steven Seagal movie on 4K because it was his biggest hit. I was into Seagal from the first four, and Die Hard on a battleship. What I appreciate more now is how well it lays out the geography of the ship so you can follow the action. Director Andrew Davis admits in new interviews that they built an unrealistic interior, but I wasn’t looking for Naval accuracy. It did the job of situating Casey Ryback (Segal) and the bad guys.
In 4K, you’re not just watching the boat. You’re on the boat. The clarity makes those tight quarters tangible. Navy whites are blinding. There’s shadow everywhere from Ryback’s meat locker prison, then when the lights go out in the kitchen fight, the captain’s quarters, the locker Ryback stuffs Jordan Tate (Erika Eleniak) in. The night sky on the deck is breathtaking. Ryback always becomes a silhouette in action which is Seagal at his best.
Sound engrosses too with gunfire back and forth on the boat. Quarters are so tight that even the birthday party applause surrounds. F-15s fly over too.
In that new interview, Davis describes Seagal in Above the Law vs. Under Siege diplomatically. Eleniak was also observant but Seagal seemed to stay out of her way. Her issue was studio pressure for the topless scene. That is why we have intimacy coordinators now. In the commentary, Davis says that was Seagal’s idea. Damian Chapa got to see the good side of Seagal. He was a starting out actor enamored with a big movie.
Davis and writer J.F. Lawton do the commentary together and go over all the plot details fans like to question over the years, but they have answers. Davis worries about copycat violence, including a real caterer takeover situation. He also fought with the studio over breaking the three-word Seagal title formula. Davis and Lawton explain compromises made over development and battles won. Lawton addresses the Die Hard of it all and it’s more complicated than just the locked location.
I remain fascinated by Seagal. There are things we already knew about in the ‘90s and things that have come to light since, but the character he played was always admirable. His characters stood up to corruption, protected the innocent and practiced enlightenment. I have the luxury of being able to appreciate the persona, so I’m sensitive to the struggles of people who worked on the ground to bring that persona to the screen.