Stone Cold (Kino Lorber) Blu-ray Review + 1080p Screenshots + Packaging Shots

One of the best action films of the 1990s finally gets the blu-ray release it deserves.

Studio: Kino Lorber
Release Date: May 17th, 1991 (theatrical) / May 9th, 2023 (blu-ray)
Run Time:
Region Code: A (locked)

Disc Count: 1
Picture: 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Brian Bosworth, Lance Henriksen, William Forsythe, Sam McMurray, Arabella Holzbog
Written by Walter Doniger
Directed by Craig R. Baxley
Rating: R (strong violence and language, and for sensuality)

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Poster

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What's It About?

Joe Huff is a tough, go-it-alone cop with a flair for infiltrating dangerous biker gangs. The FBI blackmail Joe into an undercover operation to convict some extremely violent bikers, who are angry at the capture of their leader.

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Film Rating

I remember the first time I watched STONE COLD. It was a Sunday afternoon. After church, we would go to the video store and grab something for the evening. I grabbed STONE COLD because my father thought I would like it. Watching the film, I was in awe. I had never seen that many explosions in one film. At times, it felt like the film couldn't go more than ten minutes without blowing something up real good. I loved Bosworth. I thought he was great and he felt at home in the role. This was the first time I saw Lance Henriksen in anything and I was instantly hooked. I can't tell how many films I have suffered through because Lance Henriksen's name was on the video box. I even suffered through a film directed by CONVICTED PEDOPHILE VICTOR SALVA because it contained a performance from Henriksen. After a few flicks, I came to the realization that Henriksen has never given a bad performance.

The action scenes were all exciting and really well shot. The motorcycle chase is a highlight as is the entire climax of the film. The fact that they were able to stage and film most of the stuff in and around the Arkansas capital building is mind blowing. The fact that a government in any state in the US let a bunch of people with cameras and guns and explosions film a violent action film in the very halls outside of the rooms where laws are made. I was blown away by this then and I am blown away with it today. There is no government today that would allow a movie company to film the things the filmmakers of STONE COLD were able to film.

I love STONE COLD. I remember I waited for what felt like forever until Blockbuster finally put a copy of up previously used. Once it did, I was able to buy it and watch it whenever I wanted to. It was also on cable a lot so I would watch it when it aired. The action is some of the best of the 90s, Lance Henriksen adds another brilliant performance to his long list of previous brilliant performances in films like NEAR DARK and ALIENS, and you got to see William Forsythe giving a performance that is almost as good as Henriksen's. He is so good, that when he dies, we actually get sad for a minute because we won't have any more of him for the rest of the film. He adds so much to an already phenomenal action flick. This is a film that people slept on for far too long. I am jealous of them sometimes as they get to experience the film for the very first time and it is exciting to hear what they thought of the film afterward

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Video/Audio

Taken from a brand new 2K restoration and presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, STONE COLD looks so good. We have a very film-like look and feel to the picture. This is a very healthy transfer with nice colors, accurate skin tones, and deep blacks. Film grain is here and we also have some really nice detail throughout. I have been a fan of STONE COLD since seeing the film in 1991 and I am so happy we finally have a transfer the film deserves.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary by action film historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema

THE BOZ Goes Hollywood: Interview with star Brian Bosworth (19m, HD, 1.85:1) Bosworth covers everything from uncredited producer Michael Douglas calling him personally to star in the film, the film's original director (Bruce Malmuth), how his character was originally supposed to have a family, working with Lance Henriksen and William Forsythe, shooting the motorcycle chase,

THE BROTHERHOOD: Interview with actor Lance Henriksen (11m 4s, HD, 1.85:1) He covers writing his own dialogue, creating scenes with Brian Bosworth, he convinced the producers to hire real bikers instead of relying on actors, the bikers were going to quit the production until Henriksen convince the producers to pay them more, being knocked out by Bosworth, giving Bosworth the nickname "Bam Bam", the Hell's Angels told Henriksen that this was the most accurate biker movie ever made, Baxley was very supportive of what Henriksen was bringing to the film

BREAKING FREE: Interview with actress Arabella Holzbog (13m 17s, HD, 1.85:1) Her character was supposed to live in the original script, after her character gets thrown to the ground by Henriksen the bikers thought that they got to "have her" because that is what happens in biker culture when a girl gets "thrown down" by another biker, she speaks highly of the actors she worked with, she was really depressed about her character's fate.

PLAYING STRAIGHT: Interview with actor Sam McMurray (8m 58s, HD, 1.85:1) Worked 20 weeks straight, Bosworth's acting coach would work with McMurray (along with Bosworth) in creating dialogue, he spent a lot of time sitting around because of the nature of the shoot, coming up with the scene at the end of the film with his character getting an earring and killing Henriksen, Henriksen's bike was actually Mickey Rourke's bike, speaks highly of all the actors,

STONE COLD - TV Spots (3m 46s, SD, 1.33:1) 7 spots

STONE COLD - VHS Release Ad & VHS Trailer (2m 4s, SD, 1.33:1)

STONE COLD - 1-900 Stone Cold Challenge Contest (1m 3s, SD, 1.33:1)

STONE COLD - Trailer 1 (1m 35s, HD, 1.85:1)

STONE COLD - Trailer 2 (1m 28s, SD, 1.85:1)

HARD TARGET - Trailer (2m 5s, HD, 2.35:1)

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - Trailer (1m 20s, HD, 1.85:1)

CODE OF SILENCE - Trailer (2m 39s, HD, 1.85:1)

THE HUNTER - Trailer (3m 15s, HD, 1.78:1)

MURPHY'S LAW - Trailer (1m 30s, HD, 1.85:1)

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Overall

STONE COLD is one of the best action films no one talks about. The action is tight with some amazing stunts and the characters are just downright cool. I found Brian Bosworth completely likeable here and he deserved to have a much bigger acting career. Lance Henriksen, as Chains, is so good. I love this film so much.

Kino did an excellent job bringing STONE COLD to blu-ray, the right way. The picture is the best I have seen for the film and sound is no slouch either. The special features are a lot of fun with great interviews with Bosworth, Henriksen, and a host of others along with a wonderful commentary track and some great promotional videos made during the film's release. This is such a great edition for a great film.

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Extras/Menus