Stone Cold (1991)

Revenge of the 90s!

Brian Bosworth is Joe Huff, a policeman on suspension. The F.B.I. has other plans for him though. The biker gang “The Brotherhood” is waging war against all those who oppose them and after one of their members is found guilty in the murder of a priest time is in short supply. Joe goes undercover as John Stone (a fitting name) to infiltrate the gang. Action ensues.

Right from the start you know this is going to be a fast and furious ride. Bosworth establishes himself as the cool and cold messenger of justice within the opening minutes. Criminals will pay when he’s around! He works perfectly for what this role demands; tough guy with an attitude. This isn’t supposed to be Shakespeare, though I’d watch him in that as well. The biker gang is led by the very capable Lance Henriksen and his lead henchman played by William Forsythe. The latter had an even more menacing turn that year as Richie in Steven Seagal action fest Out for Justice. Both Henriksen and Forsythe do what is required when portraying evil, white supremacist bikers. Their range is a lot broader, but they respect the material and seem to have fun with it.

The great thing about Stone Cold is the pacing. So many movies with little to say spend too much time saying it. Most of what we see in Stone Cold is essential. It’s a very economic movie that doesn’t bother with non-vital information. When the bad guys are gone, the movie ends. There’s no need for a long wrap-up. The action is over. But the action we are treated to during Stone Cold is quite satisfactory. What makes it so you think? Well, there are regular doses of great explosions. Real explosions. There are dangerous stunts to keep you grinning. When people are shot you see it. I miss that in movies, particularly when you look at something as castrated as Live Free or Die Hard (terrible title!). They also swear when it’s appropriate. You expect a certain language from people like this. The third act ups the stakes and the action here works better than what we see in most movies of similar kind today. It balances it with restrained humor, showing glimmer without ever fully indulging. There is no annoying sidekick constantly puncturing the atmosphere. Stone Cold also takes a few original turns leaving some common clichés in the attic that had me nodding in approval.

What Stone Cold is all about!

Craig R. Baxley has proven himself to be a reliable director with Dark Angel (1990) and mini-series like Storm of the Century and Rose Red, both Stephen King adaptations. He has also directed and been second unit director on plenty of episodes of The A-Team. Way to go Mr. Baxley! I for one am a fan of the man. All directors can’t be Stanley Kubrick or Sam Peckinpah and that is just fine. Baxley is still a director I keep coming back to. He deserves a nod more frequently and I hope you give him a chance too.

As for Stone Cold it’s a great example of early 90s action that is easy to digest. It’s a fun, violent and bullshit-free film. Relax and let officer Joe Huff take care of business. That’s what he’s here for!

7/10