Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, directed by Geoff Murphy and released in 1995, is an action-packed thriller that delivers high-octane excitement and a good dose of entertainment. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, Under Siege, it still manages to offer an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.



The film follows Casey Ryback, once again played by Steven Seagal, who finds himself on a hijacked train filled with dangerous terrorists led by Travis Dane, portrayed by Eric Bogosian. As Ryback battles to stop the villains and save the passengers, the tension rises, and the stakes escalate to an explosive climax.



Steven Seagal brings his signature martial arts skills and stoic demeanor to the role of Casey Ryback, delivering the action sequences with precision and intensity. While the character may lack depth and development, Seagal's physical presence and combat abilities keep the audience engaged. Eric Bogosian, as the main antagonist, exudes a certain level of slimy charisma that adds to the film's villainous presence.



The plot of Under Siege 2: Dark Territory is relatively straightforward, focusing on the hijacking of the train and Ryback's efforts to thwart the terrorists. It may not offer much in terms of narrative complexity or character depth, but it compensates with its fast-paced pacing and thrilling set pieces. The action sequences, choreographed with Seagal's martial arts expertise, provide the film's highlights, delivering exhilarating moments of combat and stunt work.



Geoff Murphy's direction maintains a sense of energy and tension throughout the film, utilizing the claustrophobic setting of the train to create a confined atmosphere. The cinematography captures the action sequences with clarity, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the choreography and intensity of the fight scenes. The film's score, composed by Basil Poledouris, enhances the excitement and amplifies the suspense during key moments.



While Under Siege 2: Dark Territory may not offer much in terms of originality or groundbreaking storytelling, it delivers on its promise of an action-packed thrill ride. It's a film that knows its audience and aims to provide entertainment through well-executed action sequences and intense moments of suspense. However, those seeking deeper character development or a complex plot may find the film lacking.



In summary, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory is an enjoyable action thriller that offers a solid dose of excitement and entertainment. Steven Seagal delivers his trademark martial arts skills, while Eric Bogosian brings a notable presence as the film's villain. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessor, the film succeeds in delivering a fun and engaging experience for fans of action cinema.

The first one on a battleship I can understand. It was new and gave me a fresh look on terrorists taking hostages but the producers obviously thought why stop there? Let's do it again on a train instead! To be frank they did it quite well, there are plenty of train films that simply don't work but with Seagal's character Casey Ryback being kicked off it halfway through it makes a good change of scenery.



It's typical 90's action sequences as far as I'm concerned but it's fun and in places quite violent. The object yet again is greed for the bad guys, wanting a billion dollars in exchange for not destroying Washington DC with a special satellite weapon. Although it won't live up to the first, both in revenue nor rating, it's a film that you can stick on the list to watch when there really isn't much else to do.