DVD Corner

Cold Steel Blu-ray Review

“Cold Steel” was tailor made for fans of cheesy 80’s action-thriller movies.

Written by Michael Sonye and Moe Quigley, 1987’s “Cold Steel” is an action-thriller that begins with a cop (Johnny) learning that his father was murdered by 3 men (who also robbed his father’s pawn shop). The angry and distraught Johnny wants to find out who is responsible for his father’s murder and doesn’t care if he has to break the rules to do so. He soon discovers that not only is one of the murderers someone he once knew, but he also learns they have a revenge plan against him. Why? You’ll find out. Elsewhere in the plot is a romance between Johnny and Kathy who might be harboring a dark secret (you’ll see the twist coming a mile away).

Directed by Dorothy Ann Puzo (the daughter of famed author/screenwriter Mario Puzo) in her only credit, “Cold Steel” has everything you’d come to expect from a ridiculous 80’s action movie. There’s cheeseball songs, a hardass Sgt., a dopey cop partner with an even dopier name (Cookie), explosions, sex, eye-rolling humor (see the running vending machine gag), a talkative villainous henchman named Mick (Adam Ant), product placement galore (Coca-Cola to be exact), big car chases, violence, and not one but two scenes in which there are convenient ramps for cars to fly off of. If you treasure cheesy 80’s action movies, this one’s for you.

The cover art makes it look like this is a gritty action-thriller, but it most assuredly is not. The film is downright goofy and the action is about as preposterous as it gets (see the speedway scene). Even the cuckoo villain Iceman feels like a cartoon character come to life. He has a paper thin backstory and is played by a scenery chewing Jonathan Banks (of “Breaking Bad” fame) who talks with an electrolarynx.

Aside from Banks, there are a few notable cast members here including Sharon Stone (before she became a big star), Brad Davis of “Midnight Express” fame, the aforementioned Adam Ant (who seems to be having a good time), Jay Acovone, and even a young Anthony LaPaglia.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? This is not the most pleasing of transfers as it’s often fuzzy, blotchy, and filled with defects.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The audio is a little low for my liking, but it’s decent enough.

The lone extra is a VHS inspired slipcover.

June 3, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Sharon Stone, Cold Steel Blu-ray Review, 80's Action Movie, Jonathan Banks