For some reason I never picked up Stone Cold even though it was always there in the video rental store begging me to pick it up. Most likely I didn't because I had no clue who Brian Bosworth was. Actually still don't. But I have a better understanding of him and this film.
Believe it or not Brian Bosworth is a solid action hero. It didn't take long for me to accept him as one. Acting wise he obviously needed work but as debuts go he did pretty OK. Fortunately the plot doesn't allow him to speak much. Most of the talking is done by Lance Henriksen, William Forsythe and Sam McMurray. They are also the ones that give this film that special something. Next to the kickass action. Very skillfully director Craig R. Baxley makes you overlook one big fault in the plot. That is the fact that no gang leader would accept an outsider. If a prospect doesn't come from within the ranks or as proposed by a member no way an capable leader would allow such a guy even near them. I know that I am supposed to suspend disbelief. But in order to sell this you have to explain or at least give a good reason why someone would be so trusting. They do give one very late in the film. But to say it's acceptable? Well, fortunately like I said you are never really given time to think about things like these too hard since events start happening and Brian usually is always in the middle of it in favour of the gang.
I liked how certain members do protest against certain actions of leader Chains Cooper (Henriksen) since according to them that is going too far. Smart leaders of course would avoid such public killings even if it was just for the sake of deniability. But thank god, because it gives us an over the top villain who makes the film so much fun. Nancy (Arabella Holzbog) is one of the protesters and gets punished for her disobedience. She is supposed to be the old lady of Chain but is treated very badly and gets discarded the second he gets tired of her. Unfortunately she is stuck and can't flee as easily as she wants too. So she finds some comfort in Stone (Bosworth) who technically is playing her so that he can turn her to testify against Chains. Arabella is one of the characters who gave this film that extra meat to chew on.
First and foremost though it's the action that steals the show. It's the over the top kind but never to the extent where you would think it was impossible. The action itself is all old school and well choreographed. It's exactly the type of action I never can get enough of in slow weekends. Combine this with the killer pacing and you have a real winner on your hands. I wished I had known this back then. Still better late than never right?
Definitely one to check out if you like early Nineties action flicks. It's one of the best.
Also check these titles from the same director:
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