The Underground (1997)

The Underground Poster

A cop must stop the killings of rap stars. But, he gets in too deep after his partner is killed.

Introduction
"The Underground" is a 1997 action-comedy movie directed by Cole McKay and starring Jeff Fahey, Michael Weatherly, and Allison Hossack. The film has a runtime of 92 minutes and was released on August 26, 1997 in the United States. The film follows the story of a group of underground street fighters and their continuous fight with the law and themselves as they try to preserve their way of living.

Plot
The film centers on Brian Donnegan (Jeff Fahey), an undercover law enforcement officer, who is dealing with FBI agent Linda Blair (Allison Hossack) in order to penetrate an illegal underground street fighting ring. The street fighters, led by the enigmatic Tommy Granger (Michael Weatherly), are involved in whatever from organized criminal offense to weapon smuggling and their influence extends beyond the octagon and into the upper tiers of society.

Donnegan impersonates a fighter, and rapidly gets the regard of Tommy and the other fighters through his martial arts expertise. He ends up being friends with Tommy, who is enjoying success and power as the head of the underground combating circuit and is relatively untouchable by the law. As Donnegan works to collect proof to bring the operation down, he begins to question his own intentions and the commitments of those around him.

On the other hand, Donnegan's partnership with Linda Blair grows more tense as her fascination with capturing Tommy begins to cloud her judgement. Donnegan ends up being conflicted as he finds himself ending up being more associated with Tommy's world, seeing the friendship amongst the fighters and feeling the adrenaline rush of the harsh street battles.

The tension caps when Agent Blair notifies Donnegan that they have enough proof to make their relocation versus Tommy and his operation. Fearing that he has actually been compromised, Donnegan consents to a final battle against Tommy, with the understanding that his real identity may be exposed anytime.

Characters and Performances
Jeff Fahey delivers a strong efficiency as Brian Donnegan, convincingly portraying the undercover cop as a male torn between his loyalty to the law and his growing attachment to the underground fighting neighborhood. Michael Weatherly, who would later go on to star in the television series "NCIS", brings charm and strength to his function as Tommy Granger, the head of the underground combating organization. Allison Hossack supplies a strong efficiency as FBI agent Linda Blair, a hard and driven female dedicated to reducing the criminal empire.

The supporting cast, consisting of a number of skilled martial artists, provides gritty and captivating fight series that raise the movie's intensity and drama.

Action and Cinematography
"The Underground" showcases excellent martial arts skills and brutal street battles that will keep action fans pleased. The film's fight choreography highlights the brutality of the sport, highlighting the physical prowess of the fighters and the high stakes involved in each match.

The cinematography, led by director Cole McKay, efficiently catches the gritty, underground world of street combating, blending action with tense drama as the film advances. The scenes set in the underground fight clubs are particularly well-constructed, offering the film a genuine environment that draws the viewer in.

Conclusion
"The Underground" is a gritty action movie that gains from strong performances and impressive battle scenes. While the story might not be particularly innovative, it provides enough twists and tension to keep audiences engaged throughout the film. Fans of action, martial arts, and street battling will discover a thrilling and entertaining example of this category in "The Underground". Even if it may not have actually received prevalent recognition or business success, the movie stays a covert gem for fans of the category.

Top Cast

  • Jeff Fahey (small)
    Jeff Fahey
    Brian Donnegan
  • Gregory Scott Cummins (small)
    Gregory Scott Cummins
    Singer
  • Willie C. Carpenter (small)
    Willie C. Carpenter
    The Hound
  • Michael McFall (small)
    Michael McFall
    Clarence Mills
  • Brion James
    Captain Hilton
  • Jillian McWhirter (small)
    Jillian McWhirter
    Lucy
  • Debbie James (small)
    Debbie James
    Candy Donnegan
  • Kenneth Tigar (small)
    Kenneth Tigar
    Tim Scully