Cold Steel

Maverick Cop Johnny Modine's (Brad Davis) beloved father is brutally killed by a vicious gang of thugs headed by glacial sicko Iceman (Jonathan Banks), and Johnny vows to even the score, badge or no badge!!! A superb little 80s crime flick, Cold Steel remains a spunky, sharply honed revenge thriller, that is ably served by an exceptionally fine cast of gifted actors. Brad Davis, Sharon Stone, Jonathan Banks, Eddie Egan and Adam Ant are all on credible form in director Dorothy Ann Puzo's rumbustious action thriller. Granted, the hackneyed plot isn't going to win any plaudits for originality, but with a rocking score, skuzzoid L. A. locations, a sympathetic hero, a dastardly villain, plus a slam bang climax, I 'ain't got no complaints!

Sometimes those unknown flicks that seem straight-to-video or befitting a light night cable channel can actually work, like COLD STEEL, now billed as a Sharon Stone vehicle since her BASIC INSTINCT breakthrough, a cop action drama actually literally driven by MIDNIGHT EXPRESS actor Brad Davis as a cop whose father is murdered, and he wants revenge...

On the peripheral, looming in the antagonist spot is Iceman, a villain both living up to his name and the film's title...

Like any thug played by Jonathan Banks, fresh from BEVERLY HILLS COP only in charge this time and equally formidable, frightening and with a robotic voice-box in his throat, each pre-kill threat has a creepy and sinister vibe...

As Davis and his comic-relief partner venture from one near-death situation to the next, the suspense builds nicely, as does the action, in particular one car chase starting on the streets and winding up in the middle of a stock car race, about as good as any big venue mainstream action flick...

And he's chasing none other than 80's new wave icon Adam Ant as Iceman's hyperactive limey partner, and a pretty good actor, providing a terrific balance of overboard zany and lethal menace, as if this were his very own cult b-movie, with the line "I feel bigger with a trigger!"

And last but not least is Ms. Stone, whose gorgeous blond ingenue enters our hero's life so breezily you'll know there's something under her sleeve, and, okay fine, so it's not THE FRENCH CONNECTION: but for an unknown underdog cop thriller, this has bite.

Well, this one left me rather bemused. A L. A based neo noir that's a mess of a film, in regard to good and bad aspects. When it's on, it's on, but there are moments where it can labour and the tone feels totally off. And I think the script with its forced dramas and varied performances play a large part to contributing to it.

LAPD detective Johnny Modine becomes a loose cannon, after the death of his father in a robbery. Wanting justice, he soon discovers the killing was anything but random, as his past is coming back to bite him.

Brad Davis as our lead. Is bland, and never all that convincing, looking very much out of his league... especially when the story asks a little more from him. At times looking like he raided William Peterson's Manhunter wardrobe. To be honest, he can be awkward. Though he's not alone. Sharon Stone is no better, with a rather stiff turn. The chemistry between the two, was non-existent. But then you got the likes of Johnathan Banks and Adam Ant. The villains of the piece. Quite a colorful duo, and playing it up compared to Davis and Stone. Banks really had a threatening and somewhat unhinged presence, to go along with his electrolarynx (robotic voice box). While Ant was the less uptight character. Whenever these two were on screen, my interest was piqued. Sy Richardson (Repo Man) was the third wheel.

The story stayed simple. Cat and mouse games driven by a hunger for revenge. Though it felt, especially early on, the central premise would get sidetracked or focus on irregular scenes longer than needed. Example the running gag involving a vending machine. Still when it comes to the third act it throws out a plot twist involving Stone's character, which is easily foreseeable. It doesn't really add much in the way of suspense... probably in a way cheapens it and rids any sense of unplanned danger. But it does go on to deliver an over-the-top climatic showdown and stunt-work involving fire, in which that one moment Stone makes up for her languid performance.

Interestingly it was the one and only feature by director Dorothy Ann Puzo. Yep, the daughter of Mario Puzo. It's actually well-shot, LA locations come through and there are decent action scenes, some nasty/bloody encounters and an obligatory car chase with some impressive stunt work. Technically all round competent. So I can't help but feel she was let down by the writing and a few of the performances.

After his father is slashed to death on Christmas Eve, handsome Los Angeles policeman Brad Davis (as Johnny Modine) embarks on the inevitable. While pursuing meth-addicted Jonathan Banks (as Isaac), Mr. Davis gets sexy Sharon Stone (as Kathy Connors) to show a little skin. The hero is supported by buddy Jay Acovone (as Cookie) and former glam / new wave rocker Adam Ant (as Mick) helps the villain. A flashback reveals some violent silliness triggered the plot. We get a good chase scene, with plenty of crashing. "The Godfather" writer's rarely seen daughter Dorothy Ann Puzo directed.

***** Cold Steel (12/11/87) Dorothy Ann Puzo ~ Brad Davis, Sharon Stone, Jonathan Banks, Adam Ant

Thats what it received from critics and audiences alike . Except for the over the top violence quota, COLD STEEL is a revenge cop caper more suited to television than general release, which was at best - limited to say the least.

Jonathan Banks, a Frank Stallone look-alike of sorts, gives us a hammy performance as Iceman, who knocks off Brad Davis's dad who understandably then, carries a grudge against the knife-wielding maniac until the last scene.

Sharon Stone's contribution is negligible except for her figure and regularly thrust-forward breasts! Not a solitary viewer's life could be greatly enriched by watching this under-achiever of a movie.