Claim: Above the Law was released before 1990.

Above the Law -LRB- also known as Nico -RRB- is a 1988 American action film written , produced and directed by Andrew Davis , and also produced by and starring Steven Seagal in his film debut . The film co-stars Pam Grier , Sharon Stone , Daniel Faraldo and Henry Silva . This came about after a successful screen test , financed by Michael Ovitz , leading to Seagal being offered a contract by Warner Bros. . The film was set and filmed on location in Chicago . The film was released in the United States on April 8 , 1988 .