I have recently started watching Seagal direct-to-video films at random because they are infamously known for being terrible. Surprisingly, Attrition, while nothing spectacular, is actually a watchable and, at times enjoyable, film that I did not regret viewing.
Seagal must have been reinvigorated by writing the screenplay for the film. Never a good actor even at the height of his career, Seagal finally seemed to have found a role that he honed and put effort into-a kind of effort that I had not seen from him in years. His character, a former spec op turned healer and martial artist, also has far more unique qualities to it than the otherwise lifeless cutout tough guys in scores of other Seagal movies. Although his performance is nowhere near the high point of the film, it goes to show even an otherwise mediocre actor like Seagal can have good moments when he is passionate about the role.
What makes Attrition an actual worth-your-time experience, however, is the director Mathieu Weschler. I have no knowledge at all about his other works, but if he had a significant hand in the cinematography-praise to him. In one standout sequence, the viewer sees in reverse how a dismembered hand was removed from its victim. Perhaps I was not expecting anything from this film, but the execution of the scene truly impressed me. Weschler also mostly succeeds at making Seagal's fight scenes passable; still, it is obvious a stunt double takes over for most of the actual fighting.
Attrition is not without its faults: the dialogue can at times be cliche, the CGI blood is sloppy, and the dream sequences are frankly embarrassing. The tension is lacking too when none of the protagonists seem to take as much as a single hit from their opponents. But my most important take from it: I was entertained. Had Seagal taken work he cared for in the past, maybe a few of his "so bad they are good" movies could just be genuinely good movies.
Seagal must have been reinvigorated by writing the screenplay for the film. Never a good actor even at the height of his career, Seagal finally seemed to have found a role that he honed and put effort into-a kind of effort that I had not seen from him in years. His character, a former spec op turned healer and martial artist, also has far more unique qualities to it than the otherwise lifeless cutout tough guys in scores of other Seagal movies. Although his performance is nowhere near the high point of the film, it goes to show even an otherwise mediocre actor like Seagal can have good moments when he is passionate about the role.
What makes Attrition an actual worth-your-time experience, however, is the director Mathieu Weschler. I have no knowledge at all about his other works, but if he had a significant hand in the cinematography-praise to him. In one standout sequence, the viewer sees in reverse how a dismembered hand was removed from its victim. Perhaps I was not expecting anything from this film, but the execution of the scene truly impressed me. Weschler also mostly succeeds at making Seagal's fight scenes passable; still, it is obvious a stunt double takes over for most of the actual fighting.
Attrition is not without its faults: the dialogue can at times be cliche, the CGI blood is sloppy, and the dream sequences are frankly embarrassing. The tension is lacking too when none of the protagonists seem to take as much as a single hit from their opponents. But my most important take from it: I was entertained. Had Seagal taken work he cared for in the past, maybe a few of his "so bad they are good" movies could just be genuinely good movies.