Lock Up (1989)

How many maximum security prisons have full on garages with beautiful cars in them? I'm guessing not many. Also, think about this...the people in this prison are the scum of the earth - they're murderers, child molesters, the worst people on the planet. But for some reason we're getting behind these people and rooting for them? Only the one guy (Stallone) doesn't deserve to be there. All the rest of them (except for the 1% or so who could be innocent) are revolting, horrible people. Makes "Tango and Cash" look like "Citizen Kane." This turkey is bad from the first moment, with that 80s sentimental/emotional/uplifting synthesizer riff so we know this is the good guy. He's good with children, he's kind, all roses and sunshine. Then the dark scene with the man with the scowl on his face and the music is in minor key. Yep, that's the bad guy. Just in case you didn't pick up on that.

Sylvester Stallone always gets a bad rap for his films, not sure why? I've been checking out some of his older stuff recently and this is one of the good ones. Its from 89, so you immediately have to excuse some of the cheese that comes from movies out of that era but the plot is strong (if unoriginal) and the acting more than decent especially from Donald Sutherland as the sadistic and bloodthirsty prison warden and a(very thin) Tom Sizemore in an early role. Frank McRae & Sonny Landham also impress and there is a brief sighting from Danny Trejo as "gang member." Its classic Stallone though, he always manages to put a spin on his tough guy characters so that you feel sympathy and genuinely care about them. The story is entertaining and pretty much delivers what you'd expect from a prison film including here football games in the mud, and a montage while the guys work on a muscle car in the garage -strangely reminding me of 'Grease'.I liked Stallone's character in this, he plays Frank Leone; a minimum security nice guy just trying to finish his time and go home to his girlfriend. He has just weeks left before being released when he's suddenly moved to a maximum security hellhole. This prison is run by warden Drumgoole who wants revenge because Frank was the only man to ever escape which resulted in his demotion (Frank needed to attend a funeral).Drumgoole proceeds to make Frank's last few weeks a living hell, "This is hell, and I'm going to give you the guided tour" pushing him to the limits and having his sadistic guards torture him. When Frank won't break (despite time in the hole, getting shanked and encounters with fellow prisoner Chink Weber) Drumgoole arranges for him to learn that his girlfriend is about to be raped on the outside, causing Frank to plot his escape once more.Stallone seems to have a penchant for doing movies where his character goes to prison. Not sure what that's all about but look at this list; Tango and Cash, Escape to Victory, First Blood, First Blood part2, Judge Dredd, Demolition Man, Escape.

Continuing my plan to watch every Sly Stallone movie in order, I come to 1989's Lock Up. Plot In A Paragraph: With only 6 months left of his prison sentence inmate Frank Leone (Stallone) is transferred from minimum security to maximum security by a vindictive warden (Donald Sutherland) who has a score to settle.Not dramatic or brutal enough to be considered a serious drama, without enough action to call it an action flick, it's somewhere inbetween the two, but if you can ignore the implausibility of the plot, 'Lock Up' is very enjoyable. I rate this as one of the better non franchise movies in Sly's career. A rare occasion where Stallone appears not to have meddled with the script, and the movie seems to be the better for it. Sly is back in underdog territory, the role that suits him best. Donald Sutherland looks to be having a great time as a pantomime villain, and John Amos (an actor I always enjoy seeing on screen) is as reliable and solid as ever. Tom Sizemore (in his breakout role) steals every scene he is in as Dallas, and if his role had been a bit better written, and more fleshed out, he would have walked away with the full movie. Frank McRae again pops up (This is the last time) with Sly after 'FIST', 'Paradise Alley' and 'Rocky 2' The score by Bill Conti (who else) is again another winner. Especially during the football match.

Lock Up (1989) is underrated Stallone Action prison Drama film. I would say this film is Rocky and Rambo two person's in one. When prison guards are Pushing Frank Leone in a Gateway maximum security prison, his team spirit is unbroken. When he was fighting Chink with the hat on it he definitely reminds me on Rocky. When warden Drumgoole was pushing him to far, he remind me on Sheriff Teasle from First Blood (1982) I love this film and is definitely my third best Stallone favorite film from the 8o's. After this movie action stars copied this film and make a prison action Drama film. Like Death Warrant (1990), Bloodfist III: Forced To Fight (1992) and Hard Justice (1995) they copied this film, just Death Warrant is different prison film with my all time favorite action star Jean-Claude Van Damme. I love Lock Up to death and I love Cobra and Tango & Cash (1989). Watching it last night this movie become my favorite best action movies. I would put it right between Rocky and Rambo movies. Stallone is in prison and he keeps fighting for his life by a corrupt warden. Warden tried to break Stallone but he couldn't. Lock Up is a very underrated action prison drama that has a heart and I love it to death. He was just pushed to hard over the edge and he fought to stand alone in this prison action movie. Lock Up is similar to Victory another underrated films from the 80's Stallone also played alongside Michael Caine. Lock Up is fight for survival in this movie and I simply loved it I don't care what anyone else is saying about this underrated prison drama style film. Lock Up is my 3d best movie and I replaced it with Assassins instead. Also this movie become a copycat and rip off from Death Warrant that Van Damme played and Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight with Don The Dragon Wilson another action movie. Just those are all different movies with different story's just Bloodfist III does copy a little Lock Up only the main character does not come out from prison and uses his martial arts and fists to defend him self pretty good action prison movie.RAPE THIS!!!!!!! My favorite Frank Leone quote. Lock Up is a 1989 American prison action film directed by John Flynn. The film stars Sylvester Stallone and Donald Sutherland. The film was released in the United States on August 4, 1989.With only 6 months left of his prison sentence inmate Frank Leone is transferred from minimum security to maximum security by a vindictive warden.Sylvester Stallone as inmate Frank Leone did a wonderful job, he acted like he was Rambo and Rocky two in one. Donald Sutherland as Warden Drumgoole did a wonderful job as sadistic evil villain was really FANTASTIC. Darlanne Fluegel as Melissa Frank's girlfriend did a wonderful job. Frank McRae as Eclipse did awesome job as Frank's friend. Tom Sizemore as Dallas also did an Excellent job. John Amos as Captain Meissner captain of the prison guards was excellent his character was well written. Director John Flynn was also awesome and amazing he directed this prison flick and he directed actioner film with Steven Seagal two years later Out for Justice (1991). I love the main theme form Bill Conti he also wrote theme for Rocky and The Karate Kid (1984) which I love those films. I also love the football game in this film and Eclipse was helping to defeat Chink and his gang.Lock Up did poorly at the American box office, making $22,099,847 on a budget of $24 million10/10 Grade: A Studio: Carolco Pictures Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Sylvester Stallone,Donald Sutherland,John Amos, Darlanne Fluegel, Frank McRae and Sonny Landham Director: John Flynn Producers: Charles Gordon,Lawrence Gordon Writers: Richard Smith,Jeb Stuart and Henry Rosenbaum Rated: R Running Time: 1 Hr. 49 Mins. Released: August 4, 1989. Budget: $24.000.000 Box Office: $22.099.847