20 Reasons Why You Rock: U.S. Seals 2
Last year as part of our 9th Actionversary Celebration, we paid tribute to the Nu Image filmography with our Ultimate Nu Image Countdown. 15 of Nu Image’s best action films were spotlighted, but there could only be one in the top spot. That honor went to 2001’s U.S. Seals 2… a movie that absolutely rocks!
#1. U.S. Seals 2 (or Close Combat as it is known in France) starts off hot, getting right into the action as we join the SEALS on an extraction mission. There are bullets flying, explosions exploding and the seeds are planted as to who the movie’s hero (Casey Sheppard played by Michael Worth) and villain (Frank Ratliff played by Damian Chapa) will be.
#2. A big reason that the action of U.S. Seals 2 is as awesome as it is, is courtesy of Director Isaac Florentine… a true action auteur!
#3. They may not be for everyone, but I love the enhanced sound effects that are featured in U.S. Seals 2. They are completely over the top and to me they are a tribute to the classic Kung Fu Theater days and the crazy sounds you’d often hear in those flicks.
#4. Even though the Casey Sheppard/Frank Ratliff rivalry was telegraphed, the moment when Casey and Frank officially become enemies is a powerful scene. Casey discovers that not only has Frank murdered, Nikki, the daughter of their sensei, he is trying to cover it up… this leads to a brief battle between the two with a fiery backdrop and no conclusion… which means a rematch is going to be required!
#5. Casey and Frank’s sensei was played by none other than George Cheung, who is one of those familiar faces that has appeared in so many great action movies over the years including Rush Hour, RoboCop 2 and Rambo: First Blood Part II.
#6. Now that he is a full blown heel, let’s talk about Frank Ratliff. There is not one redeeming quality where Ratliff is concerned, the man is pure evil and Chapa really sinks his teeth into the role. Great villains make for great action movies and U.S. Seals 2 is no exception.
#7. Every great villain needs some great henchmen… or henchwomen. Sophia (Sophia Crawford, Night Hunter) is both henchwoman and love interest to Frank Ratliff, so that tells you she doesn’t have much of a moral code. The Sophia shower scene is likely a favorite among certain fans of the movie. Apparently that revealing scene was a hit with some of the crew members as well, according to a story that Michael Worth shared on The Bulletproof Podcast.
#8. I can’t forget Andy Cheng when I am talking about the villains of U.S. Seals 2. Cheng plays the bleached blonde assassin, Artie. Cheng was also the fight choreographer and second unit director. and with his extensive stunt background he was the perfect man for the job and another reason the action scenes in U.S. Seals 2 are top notch!
#9. What good are quality villains if they don’t have a diabolical plan?!! Ratliff kidnaps Dr. Jane Burrows, a nuclear physicist, so he can force her to arm two Red 7 ballistic series missiles that are located on a small island off the coast of Siberia… some Russian souvenirs from the Cold War days. And with his weapons of mass destruction, Ratliff will be able to demand one billion dollars from the United States government… that’s a pretty solid plan.
#10. Major Nathan Donner (Marshall R. Teague, Special Forces) was responsible for Dr. Burrows’ safety. So when Ratliff kidnaps, Donner takes it extremely personally and intends on doing whatever it takes to get her back. Marshall Teague brings an authenticity to the role, as he always does when playing a man in uniform. But Donner isn’t going to be able to take out Ratliff and his crew all on his own.
#11. Who better to lead the mission against Frank Ratliff than a man with a personal grudge against him, Casey Shepherd!?! I love that the movie storyline sort of mirrors reality. In the film, Major Donner and Admiral Patterson have to use revenge against Ratliff to lure Casey to get back in action and out of his new civilian life as a welder. In reality, Michael Worth’s days as an action movie leading man were on hiatus in 2001. But, the opportunity to work with Isaac Florentine got Michael back in the action movie game and we are all the better for it!
#12. A nice little storyline wrinkle is that the atmosphere of the island that Ratliff is operating out of is filled with methane gas. That means the slightest spark could ignite the entire island, which means no guns allowed, which kind of feels a little like an homage to Enter the Dragon. This also means the team that goes in to rescue Dr. Burrows isn’t going to be able to go in guns ablazin’… something Casey is going to have to consider when he recruits his team.
#13. Casey doesn’t have a lot of time to put a team together, so the best way to combat that is with movie montage magic.
#14. Casey’s recruiting did get off to a rough start. The first person he asked to join the team was Kamiko, the twin sister of Nikki (both played by Karen Kim) and the one person on the planet that had more of a case for revenge against Frank Ratliff than Casey. But surprisingly Kamiko turns down Casey… but that ended up being a well done swerve. Before the team leaves, Kamiko has a change of heart and joins the rescue/revenge mission… much to the chagrin of Admiral Patterson.
#15. I have to talk about the coolest weapon in the entire movie… that being the sweet ass air gun that Major Donner demonstrates for the team before letting Casey know that since Dr. Burrows’ was his responsibility, he’s going on the mission too!
#16. Getting onto the island undetected is no small feat, but the real excitement happens once Casey and his team are detected and we get a glorious battle between our heroes and Frank Ratliff’s minions… there’s swords and chains and so much martial arts mayhem. It’s like a symphony action!
#17. It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the guy who prioritized money over saving the world, Omar (Hakim Alston, Bloodmoon) , ends up turning on Casey and the team… but that just makes it all the sweeter when he pays for his backstabbing ways!
#18. There are plenty of casualties on both sides in U.S. Seals 2… but nobody has a more emotional demise than Major Donner, who goes out like a true warrior. I salute you Major Nathan Donner!
#19. I like that we got some brain over brawn, with the Dr. Burrows character (played by Kate Connor) being more than a damsel in distress as she uses her know how to prevent Ratliff from launching his second Red 7 missile.
#20. There’s a lot of great action from start to finish in U.S. Seals 2… but there is no question that they saved the best for last. Casey and Kamiko have to deal with the triangle of terror that is Frank Ratliff, Sophia and Artie in a final showdown that just keeps escalating and it ends with one of the most unforgettable villain deaths in action movie history!
