Cross (Steven Seagal) is an operational genius. His partner Manning (Steve Austin) is a weapons expert. They are ex-special forces who work as black ops contractors. Their current job is to decommission a black ops prison, one that doesn't officially exist and is located in Oregon (seriously?). For some reason our "operational genius" decides to shut down the prison while it still has prisoners in it.During this period there are men dressed as Federal Marshals attempting a "high risk extraction" of two female prisoners to prevent them from going to a civilian prison. The film consists of Seagal/Austin and crew fighting in a prison maze against the bad guys. Seagal doesn't know if the women are in league with the bad guys or if the bad guys want them dead. It isn't hard for us to figure it out from their faces which show expressions. (Take note Steven, it's called acting!)Early in the film Steven Seagal laughs, something I don't recall him doing in another movie. It made me laugh to watch it.The plot is simple as most Seagal productions. There is plenty of killing, fighting, and blood. The picture appears to have been written more with Seagal in mind than Austin. I had expected more. Austin has done better films, and with Seagal it is hard to tell. This could have been one of his better productions. They need to write a part for Danny Trejo and make him the perennial bad guy. I smell sequel.Parental Guide: F-bomb, no sex, no nudity.

When Cross (Steven Seagal) and Manning (Steve Austin) are tasked with the routine decommissioning of a top secret C.I.A prison facility, everything initially goes smoothly until the arrival of two mysterious female prisoners who are to be moved on the next day. However, when the prison comes under attack from a group of mercenaries, led by the brutal Blake (Michael Pare), who demand the handover of the new arrivals, only Cross and Manning can stop them.It's fair to say that the premise of Maximum Conviction is absolutely nothing new. Borrowing heavily from the plots of Die Hard, Assault on Precinct 13 and Seagal's own Half Past Dead, originality is certainly not on the menu. What is on the menu for viewers however, is a fast paced, brutal and highly enjoyable 98 minutes of mayhem.Seagal's fight sequences are the best he's delivered in a number of years. He's certainly beginning to show his age, but the choreography is spare, violent, simple and snappily edited, giving Seagal a chance to shine. From what I can make out, the use of stunt doubles is minimal. Steve Austin casts his considerable frame over proceedings, with his fight scenes being especially brutal. Whatever opinions people have of Austin's admittedly limited acting range, he is a heavyweight screen presence, a presence utilised to great effect here. A small criticism is that the pair don't nearly share enough screen time together.Michael Pare, an actor seemingly always more effective as the villain of the piece, is also on top form. Refreshingly, he plays his role not for villainous laughs, as happens so often in these kind of movies, but instead portrays callousness and sheer nastiness.It's worth noting that Seagal, after working with director Keoni Waxman in this movie and also the preceding The Keeper and A Dangerous Man, has continued to work with him for two more movies. Waxman, while not the greatest director, seems to be helping Seagal achieve some of the best work he has done in a long time, going a long way to exorcising the memory of some of Seagal's truly execrable misfires of the mid 2000's, such as Shadow Man, Attack Force and Flight of Fury. Waxman's style is direct, straightforward, free of flashy gimmicks and all about the action. Scenes featuring simply dialogue are somewhat rushed, but you forget that when the action is as entertaining and exciting as on offer here. The fights are well choreographed, plus the shootouts are tense, imaginative and highly effective. The movie barely pauses for breath thanks to it's simple and straightforward set up.Admittedly, Maximum Conviction is unlikely to win Steven Seagal (or indeed Steve Austin) many new fans, mostly due to the movie's unimaginative plot and bone crunching brutality. However, the high quality of action on display may go a long way to bringing some of Seagal's lapsed fans back to enjoying his movies again. As for loyal, existing fans of the two big guys, Maximum Conviction is absolutely essential viewing.

Steven Seagal & Steve Austin - Together = Bad-Ass Entertainment! 'Maximum Conviction' is hard-core, fast-paced entertainment! The Plot is simple: The Bad-Guys mess up, our Heroes come to clean up.The Screenplay is fast-paced. Direction Wise, fair. The Action-Sequences are fantastic. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are proper. Seagal & Austin are in top-form. Seagal is the eternal Bad-Ass & Austin is just getting there. I truly enjoyed watching them both kicking-butt & delivering with such energy. On the whole, 'Maximum Conviction' worked for me. I Enjoyed!

The plot is simple, 2 black ops must oversee the transfer of 2 female prisoners who have vital top secret information, then terrorists, led by the excellent Michael Pare strike and take the prison over for the info. Unfortunate for them they would have succeeded but the 2 black ops are Stone cold Steve Austin and Steven Seagal. So you know the bad guys don't have a chance. If you had asked me 10 years ago, which 2 WWE wrestlers would make great film stars, it would have to be the Rock and Stone Cold. Good to see them doing well. Austin is his usually bad ass self and adds something to this type of movie. Michael Pare is menacing, no humour or likability to the bad guy, this really works and he is extremely menacing. Makes a change from the usual wise cracking baddie. With Steven Seagal you know what your getting, you know what to expect from him. All the women want him, all the men want to be him, if you (or 10 guys at once) get into a fight with him, you wont even land a punch on Mr Invincible Seagal. If he gives advice, you prick your ears and listen to every word he says, he knows more than you, if he takes a shot with his gun, its going to be on target every time, his bosses envy him, he is top of his trade and the best at what he does, whatever it is. Even his former martial art masters come to him for lessons..Yes Seagal wreaks ego but I just cant get enough of him so please don't ever Change Steven. film is a definite recommendation for some viewing where you don't have to put your brain into gear and enjoy an action/martial arts film the way it should be. Hope there is a sequel made.