Stone Cold (1991) Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

Plot:

A renegade cop goes undercover in biker gang.

Review:

A standout in the genre, Stone Cold was the first film Brian (The Boz) Bosworth starred in following his career as an NFL linebacker. Here he plays an on-suspension cop named Joe Huff who is asked by the FBI to go deep undercover in a motorcycle gang to bring down their operation. He becomes John Stone, a smooth and cool biker who quickly gains the trust of the gang’s leader, Chains Cooper (a superlative Lance Henriksen), much to the aggravation of Chain’s right-hand man, Ice (William Forsythe). Stone becomes Chain’s trusted right hand, privy to the deepest and ugliest goings-on in the gang until his identity is compromised. Chains plan on attacking the courts of Washington, a huge operation that involves his entire gang, a helicopter assault, and a bombing, and Stone must save the day. The climax involves motorcycles in the Capitol building, a jousting competition (sort of), and a motorcycle slamming into a helicopter (in the air!). It’s amazing.

I love Stone Cold. Bosworth made a fantastic action star, and it’s a mystery why his star faded so quickly. He made a handful of good action movies like Back in Business and One Man’s Justice, but he eventually began starring in movies that didn’t deserve him. Director Craig R. Baxley (Action Jackson) gives Stone Cold a verve no other director could have given it, and it’s filled with great moments, one-liners, and badass character moments. It literally is as iconic as any great movie starring Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, or even Stallone and Schwarzenegger. This is one of the good ones. It’s a perfect vehicle for an underrated action star.

Kino Lorber’s new Blu-ray edition of Stone Cold blows all previous edition right out of the water, with a new HD master, a new audio commentary, new interviews with Bosworth and Henriksen, trailers, and more. Retire that Olive Blu-ray and upgrade!