Watch Lock Up [Ultra HD]

Lock Up is a thrilling 1989 American action film that is directed by John Flynn and stars the heavyweight duo Sylvester Stallone and Donald Sutherland. Holding nothing back, Lock Up is a masterpiece that delivers action-packed sequences, raw emotions, and hard-hitting performances that leave you with a bittersweet taste of victory and loss.

The film centers around Frank Leone (Sylvester Stallone), a former mechanic who is sent to a maximum-security prison. Despite being a model inmate, almost reaching the end of his sentence, Leone is transferred to a new facility run by Warden Drumgoole (Donald Sutherland), who has a devilish plan in mind. Drumgoole detests Leone because of the latter's past, and so he puts him through a series of cruel and punishing treatments to break his spirit.

As the story unfolds, we see Leone struggling to keep up his strength and hope amidst being subjected to abuse and maltreatment. The warden assigns him menial tasks and denies him parole, forbids him to meet his girlfriend Melissa (Darlanne Fluegel), and even devises a plan to transfer him to a more dangerous section of the prison.

However, Leone is not one to give up easily, and he finds solace in his fellow inmates, including a former drug dealer named First Base (Frank McRae), a friend of his from his previous jail term. He also earns the respect of the prison's guards, especially his probation officer, Eclipse (Tom Sizemore), who begins to believe in Leone's innocence and starts to root for his release.

Meanwhile, Drumgoole plots against Leone, with his antics becoming more and more extreme. He arranges for Leone's old nemesis, fellow inmate Chink Weber (Sonny Landham), to enter the prison, hoping to see Leone break down and be destroyed. However, Leone does not let Drumgoole's schemes crush his spirit or his will to live. Instead, he uses this as an opportunity to prove himself once and for all.

Sylvester Stallone delivers an outstanding performance as Frank Leone in Lock Up. He portrays the tortured character with the right tone and feelings, making us feel empathy for him all through. We see him go through intense physical and emotional turmoil throughout the film, which is conveyed exceptionally through his acting.

Donald Sutherland is mesmerizing as Warden Drumgoole, Leone's arch-nemesis in the film. His villainous character is one to hate from the moment he appears on the screen. He is as brutal as he is foul, and we almost feel relieved every time he is off-screen.

The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with Frank McRae giving us an equally impressive performance as First Base. Tom Sizemore is likable as Eclipse, while Larry Romano, as Unger, provides more of the laughs with his humorous jokes and antics.

Lock Up features some of the best action scenes of its time, with a particularly standout set-piece featuring a thrilling game of football between the prisoners and the guards. The film's direction by John Flynn is impressive, especially in the way he focuses on creating a sense of claustrophobia inside the prison's walls.

Overall, Lock Up remains a timeless classic that is worth watching, even decades after its initial release. It stands as one of the better movies of the prison sub-genre, providing a combination of excellent performances and thrilling action. This film isn't just a run-of-the-mill action movie; it's a touching story of hope amidst despair, and we can't help but cheer Leone on as he strives to triumph against all odds.