stunt doubles, dubbed lines, and corny props, oh my!!
Added 9/19/2009
I can't believe I'm going to say that this film was as bad as Attack Force (2006). Actually, I don't know if it is as bad as that or I'm just getting more annoyed with these low-quality Seagal flicks. However, Kill Switch (2008) is still the worst Seagal flick of this decade in my opinion, so far. I did like Flight of Fury (2007) only because there was some cool military aircraft and some nice-looking women and the story was kept quite simple. This movie didn't have any of those things. In fact the dvd synopsis was quite misleading as is the title. Though the title and the synopsis would make you believe that the majority of the film takes place on a submarine (I was sort of hoping for a Under Siege kind of deal on a sub), in fact they are only on the sub for about 20 minutes of the film. I think a lot of the submarine scenes probably got deleted in editing and they re-wrote in other parts of the story - that seems to happen to a lot of the Seagal flicks nowadays. Which also explains why we have .... yes, wait for it - obvious voice-dubbing. Granted it isn't as bad or noticeable as Attack Force (2006) but it is quite extensive throughout the film. And I really didn't care for the supporting cast in this film - it was like a collection of bad stereotypes, especially with the Luis character's fake accent. I mean come on, he's from East LA, he's a home boy, but he speaks with a phony accent like he's a native Spanish speaker from Madrid? Who's idea was that?! Of course that wasn't nearly as ridiculous as the fake model spy plane to start the movie. Wow! Did ya go down to Wal Mart and pick that little gem up from the toy section? Think so.
The story. Well, it's not really worth telling. It sort of reminded me of the Manchurian Candidate at the outset, (I actually liked that movie), but it quickly got out of hand. This has been a problem with the writing on a lot of recent Seagal movies, which is why I liked Flight of Fury (2007) because it just kept things simple. This movie you kind of forget who is who, and who is killing who, and the action scenes don't always seem to match the storyline. What makes this movie even worse though is that you have very few scenes with Seagal showing-off his martial arts - it's a lot more gun fights and car chases, though not shot particularly well. At least Attack Force (2007) had a couple of decent-looking military-style shoot-out scenes, I didn't really see anything in this film that I liked. Hence the 1-star.
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Leave it at the bottom of the sea
Added 2/2/2009
Our favourite fading action star and direct to video purveyor of junk (yep, that's you Steven) returns with another mindless and poorly dubbed excuse for a film that barely grades as both a film and a piece of entertainment.
The story has The Seagal playing Chris Cody (ex military, ex special opps, ex pizza restaurant owner - tick if any apply) recently released from a US military prison to lead a team of mercenaries who are on the quest to stop a renegade scientist Dr Lehder (played by british actor Nick Brimble, who at least makes an effort) who has developed a strange mind control technology that has been created to turn soldiers into unstoppable killing machines. Cody is promised by the government that if he brings the mad doctor back in and rescues a delta team who have been kidnapped, he and his team will be cleared of their crimes of misconduct and paid a cool £100,000 each. However, our good friend The Seagal is suspicious of this and takes the mission into his own hands and leads the team into enemy territory without the aid of the military. From here on in, its all submarine corridors, actionless action and terrible dubbing.
The Seagal seems like he is in some other movie for the most part, spouting stupid dialogue which raises question to who or what he is supposed to be - the dubbing doesn't help matters as well. With his own voice replaced by a totally different actor in various scene length sections - and when he does make the effort to loop is own lines, he changes the delivery so many times, you just give up trying to follow him. Vinnie Jones fares so much better and his performance is strong and really keeps the picture moving - both funny and engaging, he pushes the movie and if justice was anything, would have been given top billing. His performance outstrips The Seagal at every turn.
Production values are questionable to say the least. It all looks like outtakes from other movies (a staple element from producers Nu Image / Millennium) with stock sets and terrible effects work. The supporting cast do seem to try (although an opportunity is wasted when action star Gary Daniels fights The Seagal, which is rather abruptly over in seconds!), but when your star just seems to be coasting and offering random speeches that don't fit in with the story displayed on screen - it seems their efforts are for nought.
Its a shame as director Anthony Hickox is a personal favourite and on past performances, shows creative flare on low budget horror and action vehicles - witness his excellent 'Waxwork' and 'Hellraiser' sequel - but, even he seems to be lost in this dull exercise. Having read his comments about working on the production, I get the idea this wasn't his finest hour, either.
Again, another entry in the dull line of direct to video pap for the once action legend. Oh, how 'Exit Wounds' was such a long time ago now. I blame myself as I keep coming back for more, but what with this - the dull 'Pistol Whipped' and the abominable 'Attack Force' - The Seagal is going to find it hard to regain his fans. Sure, 'Renegade Justice' was a minor diamond in the rough - but, when an audience gets the feeling that the star isn't interested in what he is making himself - then, eventually your audience will just move away.
Sony's disc is a movie only affair. A standard transfer - but, as the movie doesn't offer anything in terms of good production values, it doesn't really matter. Two stars for Vinnie Jones and Anthony Hickox. Rental recommended before buying.
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pathetic sad awful NO Plot no akido too much edititing and voice overs
Added 1/14/2009
Pure crap worst move ever made produced, directed and you could not call the actors moving in front of the camera acting.
Not sure what the screenwriters where doing on the final draft maybe they spilled a bowl of poor grammar and a cup of sad cliches then they dropped the script and and misplaced the papers in improper order.
At least they wont have to Pay seagal for his voice as I could not find a line in it he actually said.
NOT WORTH SEEING WHATSOEVER IN ANY WAY
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Should Have Stayed Underwater
Added 10/17/2008
You've got to hand it to "Submerged" - it's certainly very different from any other movie out there starring Steven Seagal. Director Anthony Hickox (Waxworks, Hellraiser III - Hell on Earth) certainly had a vision in mind that was different from typical action fare when he co-wrote and directed this little thriller. Whether you like it or not, any regular viewer of Seagal's films will at least look twice at what at what the Seagal-Hickox duo bring to the table...the problem is, this one's guaranteed to have more people dislike it than not.
Imprisoned mercenary Chris Kody (Seagal) is promised the release of himself and his team on the condition that they can stop a major terrorist strike against the US, headed by a sadistic mad scientist (Nick Brimble, Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves). After the Uruguayan terrorist base is demolished, Kody and his team are set to return home by submarine, taking with them several POWs...unaware that their seemingly harmless quarry have been brainwashed to turn against them at the push of a button. Kody must not only escape assassination, but also stop this dangerous infiltration from spreading through the highest levels of government.
I'm pretty sure that my summary doesn't cover everything in the film, but can you blame me? - up there with Attack Force, this is one of the convoluted, difficult-to-follow films Steven's ever been in.
While the plot's a given dud, the film does have a few good points. For example, even though Seagal and bad-guy Brimble leave a lot to be desired in the acting department, Christine Adams (Eye of the Dolphin), William Hope (Aliens), and Vinnie Jones (The Condemned (Widescreen Edition)) give good performances. In addition, if you can get over the mind-bogglingly fake-looking airplane in the film's opening shots, the production is generally higher than Seagal's other DTV outings. The scenes in submarine are effectively creepy, with director Hickox getting a chance to show off his credentials in the field of building up a decent-looking thriller.
Alas, only about a third of the film takes place in the actual submarine, which is less than the amount of time that Seagal's voice is dubbed by another actor. Though the film manages to keep ahold of a certain amount of suspense throughout its duration, it's watered down by dumb dialogue (Seagal calls people "white boy" and "alligator" now and then), the fact that we get to know next to none of the supporting characters, glaring factual errors about the Republic of Uruguay and the Italian language ("It's all in Spanish!"), and a general feeling of the entire production not being entirely tied down. In addition, the shootout in the tunnel - in which a handful of mercenaries armed with submachine guns manage to hold off at least two dozen advancing soldiers and a TANK without cover - should receive an award for the most unconvincing action scene ever. Luckily, the remaining action scenes aren't as bad - they're just completely forgettable.
While I wouldn't go as far as to call this Seagal's worst movie, it should certainly prove to any nay-sayer that the man's career is slowly wheeling towards its deathbed. This is definitely a fans-only purchase...and that will be only so you can convince yourself of the horror stories you've heard about the film. Everybody else shouldn't even bother looking twice.
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Disappointing
Added 8/8/2007
Awful can't even describe this DVD Video. A waste of money, if you must see it, rent it.
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