'Lock Up' (1989) - John Flynn.

Surly-burly Frank Leone (Stallone) 'aint exactly the every man he wants us to think he is, since his Stoic endurance before the cruel, almost biblical wrath of corrupt warden Drumgoole (Donald Sutherland) would quite readily have made Joan of Arc the devil's concubine, but veteran director John Irvin is a consummate professional and watching the increasingly beleaguered Leone descend into the Dantean inferno of Gateway maximum security prison excitingly makes for exhilarating, frequently bloody entertainment.   

While beloved Stallone classic 'Lock Up' has a rather unsubtle approach, this works distinctly to its advantage, since lionhearted Leone is a hugely sympathetic hero, and his Promethean efforts to remain resolutely unbroken before the ceaseless brutalities sinister warden Drumgoole (Donald Sutherland) unleashes upon him dramatically ensnares the viewer's imagination, and there are scenes of electrifying intensity within Gateway's Draconian prison walls which remain no less visceral to this very day.

John Irvin's iconic prison actioner deserves far more plaudits than it currently receives, as it is, arguably, one of the more quintessential Stallone movies; a physically robust, morally righteous proletariat male surmounts the most terrible odds, and yet by displaying uncommon intestinal fortitude, Leone manfully fights the good fight so that he might finally return home with body & soul intact and reunite with his lissome lady love Melissa (Darlanne Fluegel). The rousing score by frequent Stallone collaborator Bill Conti rarely fails to galvanize one's spirit, and it would be greatly remiss of me not to mention the outstanding performance by charismatic John Amos as the gruff but morally upright Meissner. A terrific film that really 'pops' on Blu-ray! 10/10! (Okay! Okay!!! That's excessive, but I'm a total Stallone fanboy, so sue me!!!!)