Fire Down Below

Fire Down Below (1997): Dir: Felix Enriguez Acala / Cast: Steven Seagal, Marg Helgenberger, Harry Dean Stanton, Kris Kristofferson, Stephen Lang: One of the dumbest films that Steven Seagal ever conjured up. He plays an agent who arrives in a coal mining town to put a stop to the toxic waste that is poisoning water. He makes a few friends as well as the expected enemies who wish not to be bothered. Boring concept followed by numerous fight scenes before concluding pretty much the same way. Director Felix Enriguez Acala is working with material that has about the same value as diarrhea. Even the production is boring. Seagal spends 90% of the film in combat where he beats up dozens of people including cops. I could only shake my head as some big lout threatens him and he beats the sh*t out him in short order as well as kicking around a bunch of his buddies. In lame supporting roles is Marg Helgenberger who clings to Seagal while he beats up her abusive brother. Harry Dean Stanton is far too valuable for this sh*t. Kris Kristofferson plays the standard villain in a role that is totally beneath him. Stephen Lang plays Helgenberger's nasty abusive brother who will end up with Seagal's foot up his ass. There is no reason to see this garbage unless one has severe anger issues that therapy cannot cure. Pointless junk that should be burned in a fire down below. Score: 0 / 10

I can appreciate the sentiments of those who didn't like this film, but I did, a lot. Seagal looks very sleek and I thought the romance between him and Marge Helgenberger worked. The action wasn't over-the-top, but I thought it fit the plot. As for the plot, sure, it's predictable. But most Hollywood movies are anyway. At least this one tries to say something constructive. I thought the scene in the church halfway through, where Seagal makes a speech to the congregation, worked very well and was the emotional center of the film. Most Hollywood movies don't touch social issues with a ten-foot pole. I give this one some credit for trying to do so. All things considered I'd recommend this one. Thankfully it isn't shot in New York or LA. It has its limitations but I think on the whole the film works.

The movie was in deed a good idea,People only care about money and there gain being finacial or political for the damages they are doing to our home (earth).I think Mr.Segal was an excellent actor in this movie,I enjoy his sincerity in all of his movies.People need to see past him as a sex symbol.He is much more sofisticated in many ways and has alot of true knowledge.Mr.Segals movies should hit home with viewers who see/allow themselves to see past it just being a movie.Lets face facts,this is also a realitiy which people do not see happening.Mr.Segal I hope with inspiration will continue to do movies like Fire down below,I am not an activist only 1 person who tries to see past the movie and can honestly see the big picture.Keep it up Steven you have my vote, Sincerly Melissa

It is interesting how a previous comment on this movie was unflattering. In my opinion, this was one of his best. True, it's not as good as Out For Justice or either Under Siege flicks, but I still liked the action and the storyline. The fight scenes were great too (let's be careful to compare any Seagal fight scene to the great pool room scene from Out For Justice). I didn't think the country music was that bad (good grief, it was set in Kentucky). What else do you expect??? I'm a country music lover, so I am biased. Also, I think the country music singers (Mark Collin, Randy Travis, etc.) who had parts in the movie did an excellent job. Overall, it's worth the purchase price, and a fine addition to your collection.

Here's another attempt from Seagal to send a important message to the world – be careful with the environment . And it's just as wonderful as "On deadly ground" . It's not a bad thing when you're trying to say something important. It's bad when you fail to both entertain and send a message. The message here seems sincere , but it's too preachy just like in "ODG" . What is more important is for an action movie "FDB" sucks . The shootouts and car chases are badly edited. You can't see a thing ! Same goes for fight scenes . There is one fight scene at the beginning of the movie – Seagal fights with few opponents . He beats down one of them , then he defeats second one , then he punches the guy THAT WAS DEFEATED AS FIRST AND LYING UNCONSCIOUS ON GROUND , then he defeats the third one . Talk about bad montage… The movie also tries to put Seagal in believable romantic story , but it fails just as always. The only thing good here is the guitar music . Anyway , this is a really bad movie . Second in Seagal's "save the environment trilogy " ( The trilogy includes "On deadly ground" , "Fire down below" and "The Patriot" ). I give it 1/10.

Not only was this movie terrible, as most all Steven Segal movies have been but Warner Brothers came to Eastern Kentucky to film this movie and they left town without paying several people who worked as carpenters and forgot to pay their bills and local hardware and electrical stores. While they were in town I was able to meet Steven Segal, he actually friendly. The one positive thing that I will say about this film is that Warner Brothers and Steven Segal did do several charitable things while in town. One example is that one of the little girls who was an extra in the movies home burned to the ground while they were in town filming this movie. Steven Segal heard about it and sent her about 300 Barbie Dolls and Warner Brothers helped the family get into a temporary home. In conclusion the movie was bad but most of the people I met on the production staff and the few actors that I met were very nice people.

This film is different compared to Segals other films,it hardly has any action and they seem to be focused on the plot more, rather than the action.The plot of the movie is Steven segal plays a E.P.A. agent undercover as a maintenance man to investigate a corrupt company that has been dumping toxic waste in Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Most of the villains in this movie are country singers,Randy Travis has a cameo appearance.Segal falls in love with a woman everyone in the town dislikes named Sarah Kellog (Marge Hellenberger)because she was falsely accused of murdering her father when she was a child, it was actually her creepy brother Earl(Stephen Lang). This movie has a lot of humor and nice scenery of Kentucky.I would love to live in the south.

I was pleasantly surprised by "Fire Down Below". I am sure that locals played a large part in this film shot in Eastern Kentucky. It was well done and Seagal did just what he had to do in an action film. The scenery was magnificent. The acting up to par. The special effects were much better than average. And ugly men can appeal to young women. Marg Helgenberger certainly is a beautiful young woman. And as an actress she gave an adequate performance and I am sure will continue to improve. I enjoyed the film.

I was never a fan of Steven Seagal until I saw this movie. I rented Fire Down Below because I saw a preview for it on another video and it looked hilariously awful; something that I could have a good laugh at. Well, I wasn't completely right; I did get the unintentional howlers like I expected, but I also got likable characters and performances, and a rated 'R' movie without so MUCH profanity. Recommended for fans of fast action, sweet romance and laughs (both purposefully and not); Enjoy.

unlike most of seagal's earlier films with almost too much action,fire down below takes its time to weave another true to life tale of the abuse done to our earth by corporate americia. folks,this kind of stuff goes on everyday and it's films like these sneak a message into you without beating you over the head with it.those who are expecting plenty of guns and bodies flying all over the place every 5 seconds will be disappointed,but those who have a better view of the movie genre can enjoy this film better.