Nico: Acima da Lei
Enredo
Nico: Acima da Lei Nico Toscani é um imigrante italiano, patriota americano, ex-agente da CIA, especialista em aikido e um policial de Chicago nada ortodoxo. Ele é tão comprometido com seu trabalho quanto com sua marca personalizada de justiça - distribuindo-a à sua maneira, muitas vezes desrespeitando as regras e convenções que governam a força policial oficial. O caso mais recente de Toscani envolve uma gangue internacional de contrabandistas de armas que estão usando Chicago como um centro para suas atividades ilícitas. Quando a investigação de Toscani o leva a suspeitar que esses contrabandistas estão sendo protegidos por autoridades corruptas dentro do departamento de polícia, ele decide tomar o assunto em suas próprias mãos e embarcar em uma missão solo para derrubá-los. À medida que Toscani mergulha mais fundo no mundo do crime organizado, ele se vê em um jogo de gato e rato com o líder implacável da gangue, conhecido apenas como "Giancarlo". Este vilão endurecido pela batalha não vai parar por nada para manter seu controle sobre o submundo da cidade, e Toscani deve usar todas as suas habilidades, experiência e astúcia para superá-lo. Enquanto isso, a vida pessoal de Toscani é colocada à prova quando ele se envolve romanticamente com uma bela imigrante russa, Natalia. À medida que seu relacionamento se aprofunda, Toscani se vê dividido entre seu dever como policial e seu desejo por amor e conexão. Ao longo do filme, os métodos não ortodoxos de Toscani e seu compromisso inabalável com a justiça muitas vezes o colocam em desacordo com seus colegas e superiores, que estão mais preocupados em manter a ordem e defender a lei do que em alcançar a verdadeira justiça. No final, porém, é a mistura única de valores antiquados e sensibilidades modernas de Toscani que lhe permite responsabilizar Giancarlo e sua gangue e restaurar um senso de equilíbrio à cidade. Nico: Acima da Lei é um filme de ação de alta octanagem que homenageia os filmes clássicos de durões das décadas de 1970 e 1980, ao mesmo tempo em que explora temas de lealdade, honra e a tensão entre a responsabilidade pessoal e profissional. Com seu protagonista memorável, ritmo alucinante e conclusão satisfatória, este filme se tornou um clássico cult entre os fãs do cinema de ação.
Resenhas
Camille
I've always felt that Yuen Biao possesses a more upright and endearing quality than Jackie Chan, and he's arguably the better martial artist too. The film itself is decent, highlighting the unfortunate reality that true justice is often difficult to achieve.
Mark
Yuen Biao's character is like a "Hong Kong Judge," and Cynthia Rothrock are both hot-tempered good guys, infusing the film with a frenetic energy from beginning to end. Corey Yuen's consistent pessimism (both the good and bad guys all die, and in another version, Yuen Biao, though alive, is sentenced to life imprisonment) leaves the viewer with a heavy heart. The final scene of Yuen Biao jumping from the plane is truly shocking.
Autumn
Golden Harvest action movies can be roughly divided into three branches. Willie Chan's branch, leaning left, takes the institutional route, producing films like "Police Story" that promote class harmony ("Miracles") and suppress adventurous impulsiveness ("Armour of God II: Operation Condor"). Sammo Hung's branch, veering right, distrusts the system, focusing on punishing evil and delivering final-scene justice in films like "Dragons Forever" and "Eastern Condors." Terence Chang's branch, seeing that his two older brothers have already occupied the left and right, decides to traverse both extremes. The ultimate representation of this extremism is, of course, our protagonist, the lawyer, Shek Ling-Jing! But the most surprising element is Cynthia Rothrock. This woman is not only fierce in action, cuffing four thugs with ease, but she's also quick-witted and can even write upside down. Whether it's the weight of her role, or the audience's initial expectations, you would assume she would team up with the male lawyer and female inspector to form an alliance against evil...
Caroline
Over the top! Yuen Biao stars as Hsia Ling-cheng, using his real name. The law is unreliable here, as prosecutors and police resort to vigilante justice, executing criminals extrajudicially. The main draw is Cynthia Rothrock and Yuen Biao's fight choreography. Melvin Wong, husband of Angie Chiu, plays the main villain and is also quite a capable fighter. The best fight scene is arguably Rothrock's showdown with the white female assassin. It’s almost a total bloodbath of a movie; Lau Siu-ming is killed gruesomely, the kid Fan Siu-wong dies miserably, Cynthia Rothrock meets a brutal end, and Corey Yuen is killed off as well. Wong Kam-sun meets also dies a horrific death when Yuen Biao finishes with an axe to the head .
Jude
In the original Hong Kong version, Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, and the villain James Wong Jim-suk all meet their demise. In the American version, Cynthia Rothrock survives and leads a rescue mission for Yuen Biao, who is ultimately sentenced to eight years for first-degree murder. The Taiwanese version sees Yuen Biao convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Four stars are for the original's uncompromising approach where everyone, good or bad, dies, and for its poignant anger at how the law can be manipulated for the benefit of the wicked. Most importantly, the action choreography is superb, and Yuen Biao's willingness to perform his own stunts, like the building fall, is remarkable. Suspending a plane mid-air and the high-altitude drop are genuinely impressive. The film also gives women substantial and pivotal roles. The interview in the Blu-ray extras mentions Yuen Biao's concern for his opponents, showcasing his professionalism. The scenes shot in New Zealand, and the cast...
Adam
"Above the Law" explores a world where justice is as unpredictable as the characters it confronts. Nico Toscani's unorthodox methods mirror the chaos of modern law enforcement, leaving us to ponder whether true justice can ever truly be served.
Ava
In a world where justice often feels like a distant ideal, *Above the Law* challenges us to consider what it truly means to commit to one's beliefs. Nico Toscani’s relentless pursuit of truth and his unorthodox methods underscore the dark corners of our system, reminding us that true justice may require more than just adhering to the rules—it might demand breaking a few. This film isn’t just about law enforcement; it’s a reflection on the personal cost of standing firm in your convictions, even when it means wading into moral gray areas.
Sky
A man like Nico Toscani doesn't just follow the rules—he writes them. His brand of justice is as unorthodox as it is relentless, making him a legend in his own right.
