Kinda like an Eastern version of "Pale Rider" in modern Appalachia

The plot brings to mind Clint Eastwood's "Pale Rider" (which borrowed heavily from "Shane"): A lone stranger comes into town and befriends the common folks, saving them from the evil tycoon and his motley crew. The difference is that this is an Eastern rather than a Western, not to mention it takes place in modern times. Seagal may not have the supernatural overtones of the Preacher in "Pale Rider" but his heroics are so fantastical he comes off a bit supernatural just the same.

Jack (Seagal) is a likable protagonist. He's confident, cool and soft-spoken at all times; and he knows how to kick some serious arse. Numerous times throughout the film he takes on multiple attackers and wins without even breaking a sweat. Unbelievable? Yes, but Seagal makes it believable. He is, after all, 6'4", dressed in cool black threads and a master of all kinds of martial arts.

Some say he's a bad actor, but this isn't true. If someone is giving a bad acting performance you can tell because there's an awkward air to their delivery and you don't buy them in the role. This is not the case here. Never for a second does the viewer question Seagal as the protagonist. It may be the only character he can play, but he does it well.

Plus Steven has numerous great one-liners throughout. For instance, late in the film he confronts his EPA colleague who has sold out to the corrupt mogul and says, "You're a piece of s*** and I'm ashamed of you." The line is perfect and perfectly delivered, not to mention so true-to-life. Hasn't anyone ever betrayed you, abused you or disappointed you to the point where you finally give up with the realization that they're just a shameless and shameful piece of s***?

One of the highlights for me is the gorgeous Appalachian locations and cinematography. The picture was filmed on location in SE Kentucky -- Hazzard, Mt. Vernon and points between, to be exact. Appalachia seems to be under-utilized in filmmaking and I enjoy it when films take advantage of this magnificent area of America.

Seagal's romantic interest is played by Marge Halgenberger, who became popular a few years after this starring in TV's CSI (which I've never seen). She's very believable as the local infamous woman who has a strange relationship with her brother, played by Stephen Lang.

Another highlight is the blues/country music heard throughout. It turns out that Seagal wrote or cowrote many of the songs featured and even performs one on camera. I didn't even know he was a musician! There's, interestingly, a country-ish Jimi Hendrix song. Plus, for those who care, a couple Country stars make cameos, like Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt.

It falters a bit in the final act but, other than that, I love this film. It has everything you'd expect in a flick that takes place in hillbilly country -- good family folks, rednecks, poverty, coal mines, brawls, alcohol, pot farms, backcountry churches, incest and country music. The best feature is the aforenoted Appalachian locations and photography. Add likable Steven Seagal to the mix and you have a winner.

Speaking of Seagal, he has a winning personality -- a hero with a heart of gold. He's someone worth emulating in my book. Here he represents all (or most) of the qualities of authentic manhood missing in our current society that curiously celebrates effeminized and weak men, including the mentally ill who like to masquerade as women.

I should warn action fans that this is hardly an all-out action film. Yes, there are action pieces interspersed throughout, but they flash by with a few blinks of an eye. It's, more accurately, a drama/thriller wherein the story plays out fairly leisurely, just with bursts of violence.

Although "Under Siege" is technically a better film and arguably Seagal's best picture, I personally favor this one.