Where to watch Sniper: Special Ops
1 1/2 Stars
A Special Ops Military Force, led by Sergeant Vic Mosby (Tim Abell) with an expert sniper Sergeant Jake Chandler (Steven Seagal) as “Over Watch” during a special mission are sent to a remote Afghan village to extract an American Congressman being held by the Taliban. The rescue mission is a success, but Jake, separated after a firefight with the enemy, stays behind to help an injured soldier. Sergeant Vic Mosby desperately tries to convince Lieutenant Colonel Jackson (Dale Dye) to let him go back and save the soldiers, but is ordered on a mission to retrieve a truckload of munitions which could be vital for the military base. In direct violation of orders, Vic and his Special Ops Team decide to head back to the village to rescue the stranded soldiers. Outnumbered and out gunned, Vic and his men engage in a massive shootout against the enemy, while Jake uses his expert skills to help save them all from certain death.
Calling Sniper: Special Ops a Steven Seagal movie is like calling Jurassic Park a Samuel L. Jackson film. Both actors appear, deliver a few lines, and spend most of their screen time seated, but neither has a significant impact on the story or the overall film. However, Jurassic Park didn’t market Jackson as a headliner, while Sniper: Special Ops prominently featured Seagal, making Fred Olen Ray’s decent military thriller feel underwhelming.
Steven Seagal’s increasingly lethargic presence strains the filmmakers. It’s clear he’s unwilling to engage in hand-to-hand combat, speak lines clearly, or even stand. Fortunately, Tim Abell and Rob Van Dam provide kinetic energy and relatable characters, as Seagal is often filmed alone, looking off-camera and mumbling.
Fred Olen Ray is one of my favorite artists working at this level of filmmaking. He’s a professional whose varied output often has admirable and memorable attributes. He wisely keeps the story moving, interspersing action and emphasizing the thriller aspect. Yet, Sniper: Special Ops falters when balancing its unenthusiastic headliner with its charismatic supporting cast.
Directed by: Fred Olen Ray
Written by: Fred Olen Ray
Starring: Steven Seagal, Rob Van Dam, Tim Abell