The story centers on Gino, a seasoned cop with deep neighborhood ties, whose partner and childhood friend, Bobby Lupo, is brutally murdered in broad daylight by Richie Madano (William Forsythe), a crack-addicted, psychotic drug lord who also grew up with them. Richie’s rampage escalates as he kills a random woman at a traffic stop and terrorizes Brooklyn, prompting Gino to launch a personal manhunt. Armed with a shotgun and backed by his captain (Jerry Orbach), Gino tears through the criminal underworld, uncovering Bobby’s secret corruption and clashing with Richie’s gang. The film culminates in a savage showdown where Gino delivers brutal retribution, bypassing justice for vengeance.

The cast, including Jo Champa as Gino’s wife, Gina Gershon as Richie’s sister, and Julianna Margulies in a small role, adds grit to the urban setting. William Forsythe’s unhinged performance as Richie steals scenes, balancing Seagal’s stoic intensity. The film’s action, driven by Seagal’s aikido skills, features bone-crunching fights, notably the iconic “Anybody seen Richie?” bar brawl. However, the plot is thin, prioritizing mayhem over depth, and Seagal’s acting, while improved, leans heavily on his Italian-American tough-guy persona, complete with a questionable accent.

Critically, the film scored a 23% on Rotten Tomatoes (22 reviews) and 38/100 on Metacritic (12 reviews), with praise for its raw action and Forsythe’s villainy but criticism for excessive violence and a weak script. Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore, and fans on platforms like Amazon rate it highly (4.6/5 from 5,037 reviews), appreciating its unapologetic intensity. Posts on X highlight its cult status, with some calling it Seagal’s best for its gritty vibe and John Flynn’s direction.

Shot in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the film faced cuts for an NC-17 rating and further edits overseas, trimming 54 seconds in the UK. Its Goodfellas-esque neighborhood feel and over-the-top violence—114 uses of the F-word and creative beatdowns (e.g., Seagal wielding a salami stick)—make it a guilty pleasure for action fans. Moments like Gino rescuing an abused puppy add fleeting heart to the bloodshed.