Attrition (2018)

In an alternate universe, in Thailand, Steven Seagal goes by Axe, a doctor who solves the world's problems with simple solutions. He doesn't want money because he has tons. He just wants to heal people. He doesn't want to solve problems with violence because it was long ago that he did stuff like that. But when a village has young girls getting kidnapped, he's ready to help out and go back into the action.

Attrition was written by Steven Seagal and the movie has all the classic Steven Seagal moments one might desire, along with some surprises. And the bad guy is sufficiently brutal. And there's some supernatural stuff going on, which is somewhat rare for a Mr. Seagal movie. This movie delivered on so many fronts, I'm actually amazed.

Cool lines? Check. Break a table? Check. Teach some idiot the error of his ways? Check. Save helpless people? Check. Windmill slap fight? Check. Special forces background? Check. Whispery voice with multiple languages and sometimes bro talk? Check. And there's a whole lot more. 

For the longtime Seagal fan, I'm gonna say, it's actually a must see. And I don't mean you saw Under Siege and Out For Justice back in the day, I mean you've seen a bunch of Seagal movies, truly get what he's made for films over the years. If you're that person, this movie is for you. 

You can also enjoy how Axe is spoken to in Thai but only responds back in English. It's such a weird move and something only Steven Seagal could pull off in a movie. Seagal also bestows a nearly endless barrage of wisdom in such a Seagal kind of way that it's borderline intoxicating. Wisdom despite using words like "bro" and "y'all", so Seagal and so awesome. 

It seems like most Seagal movies in the past couple decades have either been shoot em up military style or martial arts style, this one gives a little of each but definitely more martial arts... my preference. So while I'm suspicious that a stunt double gets significant screen time, the martial arts scenes are at least kinda neat. And a couple parts are downright awesome. At least on par with some Kung Fu Legend Continues action and they get better as the movie progresses.  

Axe gets his old team together. Then we get a glimpse of his pre wizened monk life self and it's reminiscent mostly of Steven Seagal. I keep thinking, Steven thought back on Submerged and wished for something a little cooler. This is way cooler.

By the time the team goes on the rescue mission, there's less than 30 min of movie left. Perfect. Attrition clocks in at a satisfying 85 min. It's good all the way through. The support cast team members are all badasses in their own rights and compliment Axe well. And, the ending delivers. 

Overall, I'd say this is one of Seagal's best in recent years. Axe sums up Attrition when he beats the crap out of a dude and tells the shopkeeper, "I pay for everything. Don't worry brother. "