Out of Reach - 2004

Franchise Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures

Directed by Po-Chih Leong

William Lansing – Steven Seagal

Irena Morawska – Ida Nowakowska

Kasia Lato – Agnieszka Wagner

Faisal – Matt Schulze

Ibo – Krzysztof Pieczynski

Lewis Morton – Robbie Gee

Azimi – Murat Yilmaz

Mr. Elgin – Nick Brimble

Nikki – Jan Plazalski

Agent Shepherd – Shawn Lawrence

Rosie – Hanna Dunowska

Story: Vietnam veteran Billy Ray Lancing, a former CSA agent who now works on a wildlife refuge in Northern Alaska, has been exchanging letters in a pen-pal relationship with Irena Morawska, a 13-year-old orphaned girl in Poland that he's helping out financially. She is about to leave the orphanage on her 14th birthday. When the letters suddenly stop coming, Billy heads to Poland to figure out why -- only to discover that the orphanage that Irena was staying in, which is financed by honest -- and unsuspecting -- good-intentioned Samaritans, is a cover for a human trafficking network. Run by a man named Faisal, the operation is worth billions -- girls are sold and traded to the highest bidders from all over the world. Through Billy's letters to Irina, Billy has taught Irina how to use secret codes, which she uses to keep Billy updated on where Faisal is taking her to. That's how Billy stays on Faisal's trail as Billy teams up with local cop Kasia Lato to rescue Irina and the other girls...Written by Todd Baldridge (borrowed from IMVU)

Review: Steven Seagal is perhaps the King of the B films, but he is also a cause driven individual who likes to make films that center around real problems. Renowned for his ability as a martial artist and his “I don't take any $h!@ from anyone.” attitude, Seagal's films have unfortunately become formulaic and predictable.

Seagal plays the former agent who has become disenchanted with the agency (Which agency? Does it really matter?) Naturally, he is in the wilderness, this time on a wildlife preserve, and is sponsoring an orphaned girl in Poland. While there are some moments of emotion, most of the time Steven plays the role with a lack of luster and motivation, like he is tired of making the same film for the 100th time.

Matt Schulze is the one actor in the cast who stands out. His portrayal of Faisal, the operator of the human trafficking ring, is one dimensional, but its the right dimension. If you're going to be a bad guy, be a really bad guy. Nick Brimble's brief appearance is good, but Nick comes off as the man behind the scenes and his threat to Faisal lacks the true tone of contempt anyone would show for a man in that business.

Overall, the film is slow to the point of boredom, predictable as a clock, and just plain poorly done. Rated R for violence, language, and a few scenes in an upscale brothel. If you happen to see this one on the shelf at your local video store, I'd let it collect dust, unless you are a big fan of Seagal, and even then I would take a moment and think about it.