Just last month, I reviewed the 4K release of Lionheart (1990), starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and I commented that all roads in my writing somehow seem to lead back to his films. Well, here we are again with another foray into classic action cinema with Death Warrant (1990).
A Cannon Films leftover that was eventually picked up and released by MGM, Death Warrant has become a favorite among Van Damme fans. Now, MVD Rewind Collection’s 4K LaserVision Collection has given the 1990 action thriller a new lease on life with a restoration that makes the film look better than it ever has on home video.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Goes Behind Bars in David S. Goyer’s Death Warrant
When tough-as-nails detective Louis Burke (Jean-Claude Van Damme) goes undercover inside a maximum-security prison, he expects to expose a brutal serial killer known as “The Sandman” (Patrick Kilpatrick). Instead, he finds himself trapped in a violent world where corruption, murder, and survival go hand in hand.
As Burke investigates a series of mysterious inmate deaths, he discovers that the prison’s guards and administration may be hiding something far more sinister. With dangerous criminals closing in and his true identity at risk, Burke must fight his way through the prison’s brutal hierarchy while uncovering the truth before it’s too late.
David S. Goyer may be best known for scripting modern classics like Blade (1998), Batman Begins (2005), and Dark City (1998), but the writer and filmmaker launched his screenwriting career with Death Warrant. The movie doesn’t reinvent the genre; it hits every expected beat with Van Damme slowly coming into his own.
Related: ‘Knock Off’ (1998) 4K Blu-ray Review: A Wacky Jean-Claude Van Damme Action Comedy
Though Lionheart was released first, Death Warrant feels like a small step back for the actor. That film took Van Damme to new heights, not only in its action but also in his performance. It had “heart.”
Death Warrant is the film you want to watch when you’re not into all the feels. It’s a gritty action thriller that goes for the throat. Van Damme as an actor is still searching for his footing here, but solid support from Cynthia Gibb, Robert Guillaume, and the fantastic Patrick Kilpatrick helps him stand on his own.
Kilpatrick, in particular, makes a memorable impression as the menacing Sandman. At the time, I was a huge fan of the movie, but my opinion of it has changed quite drastically. For a film that takes place primarily inside a prison, the 4K restoration delivers a whole new look to the picture, somehow making it feel grimy yet crisp and clean at the same time.
Death Warrant 4K Special Features
Death Warrant was restored using a 16-bit scan of the original camera negative and is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The restoration gives the movie an impressive new appearance while retaining the gritty look that suits its prison setting. For fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme and 1990s action movies, the upgrade makes Death Warrant an especially interesting addition to a 4K collection.
There are some great bonus features included with the release, including a commentary by director Deran Sarafian, interviews with Patrick Kilpatrick, Cynthia Gibb, and Art LaFleur, a Van Damme trailer gallery, and a few more tiny morsels. And it wouldn’t be an MVD set without a slipcover, reversible artwork, and a mini-poster. I’m a sucker who will always upgrade these classics as they come out.
This is the fourth one to receive a 4K release from the company. Hopefully, they continue their streak of bringing top-notch action classics to premium physical formats.
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