A gritty cult action film that finds new life through a strong 4K restoration
Stone Cold returns as a cult favorite, now remastered in 4K for collectors and longtime fans.
From 1986 to 1989, Brian Bosworth was a football player for the Seattle Seahawks, after 2 shoulder injuries and failing a physical examination by a team physician, his athletic career was over. He then decided to use his good looks and athletic build to become an actor, with his first role coming in 1991's Stone Cold. In it, he plays an Alabama police officer on suspension who is asked to go undercover by the FBI and infiltrate a biker gang in Mississippi. Originally a flop at the box office, the film has garnered a cult following since its release 35 years ago. Home video company Kino Lorber has remastered the movie for purchase.
Cop Joe Huff (Bosworth; The Longest Yard) is made an offer by the FBI that he can't refuse. They tell him they can extend his 3-week suspension to 6 months if he doesn't agree to go undercover and infiltrate The Brotherhood, a white supremacist biker gang linked to the murders of government officials and suspected of dealing drugs to the mafia. The gang is led by Chains Cooper (Lance Henriksen; Aliens), but to get to him, Joe must first get past Ice Hensley (William Forsythe; Boardwalk Empire). Once in, he barters a drug deal with Chains that includes the Mafia in hopes of implicating both groups at once.
The 4K restoration is sourced from the original camera negative, and the video quality looks very good. However, the original looks as if it were shot on a video camera, so it doesn't have the same look or feel as a movie shot on 35mm film. Colors are still vibrant, and details are sharp, but it has a certain realistic quality to it that, on the one hand, makes it seem very real while, on the other hand, almost makes it look amateurish.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is the best it has ever been, but it doesn't help the syncing issue that seems to plague the film. There is a robust and strong effects layer that brings the movie to life, from the gunshots to the rumbling of the motorcycles. The dialogue (when synced) is crisp and clean.
NEW! Commentary One - exclusive, scene-specific, audio commentary with director Craig R. Baxley, Commentary Two - recorded by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, New! Cold as Ice - exclusive interview with William Forsythe where he explains what attracted him to Stone Cold, The Boz Goes Hollywood - Brian Bosworth discusses the end of his NFL career and transition to the film industry, The Brotherhood - Lance Henriksen recalls his contribution to Stone Cold and how he was able to convince real bikers/outlaws to participate in it, Breaking Free - Arabella Holzbog recalls how she was cast to play her character in Stone Cold, Playing Straight - Sam McMurray recalls his time in the South during the shooting of Stone Cold, TV Spots, Promotional Material, Two vintage trailers, and a reversible cover with vintage poster art for Stone Cold.
Stone Cold is not a great film by any stretch of the imagination. The acting is hit or miss, with some terrific performances by Bosworth, Henriksen, and Forsythe but terrible ones by other members of the cast. The script is awful with laughable clichés scattered throughout, but the plot has more to it than meets the eye. It's easy to see why this movie would be a flop in theaters but would ultimately become a cult classic. However, this release also offers some excellent, new extras which make it a must purchase for the Bosworth/Forsythe/ Henriksen fans out there.
Grade: C+
