‘Cobra’ 4K UHD Review (Arrow Video)
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Brigitte Nielsen, Reni Santoni, Andrew Robinson, Brian Thompson, John Herzfeld, Lee Garlington | Written by Sylvester Stallone | Directed by George P. Cosmatos
Sylvester Stallone burst onto the Hollywood scene with his title role of Rocky Balboa in 1976’s Rocky. After that film, he starred in so many action films including First Blood and its “Rambo” sequels, more Rocky films, Over the Top, Demolition Man, Cliffhanger, Tango and Cash and a guilty pleasure film for me, Judge Dredd.
However, in 1985, Sylvester Stallone and director George P. Cosmatos brought the world the exciting sequel to First Blood with Rambo: First Blood Part II. Then, a year late,r the duo teamed up again for the iconic 80s action-thriller Cobra. This cult classic is coming up on its 40th anniversary, so for that epic event, Arrow Video has decided to restore and release this action film on 4K!
A crazed killer. A woman in danger. A city in fear. Lt. Marion ‘Cobra’ Cobretti (Stallone) is the man the LAPD calls when standard police procedure isn’t enough. Witness to a bloody murder, Ingrid Knudsen (Brigitte Nielsen) finds herself a target and is placed under Cobretti’s protection. But repeated attempts on her life lead Cobretti to believe it’s not just the work of one lone psycho wreaking bloody havoc across LA, but a murderous cult with plans for a new world order.
Cobra is a shoot’em up, explosion-filled, axe-wielding action film that you will never forget. Stallone brings his version of Dirty Harry to the screen, but Dirty Harry this is not! The storyline is a bit thin, but when you want to watch an 80s action film, you’re looking for action,n not so much story. So, Cobra does fit the bill there.
Arrow Video have performed a 4k restoration of this film from to original 35mm camera negative. The film has been transferred to 4K UltraHD in 2160p in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. There are several audio options here, including the original lossless stereo 2.0, 4.0 and DTS-HD MA 5.1. Finally, there are English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Arrow Video’s 4K restoration of this film is crisp and clean, and when watching this film, you see so much detail in the picture, even down to Stallone’s facial stubble. Arrow Video really put in the work to make Cobra look as good as it possibly can! But that’s not all they did here. They added some amazing bonus features to this release, including:
Special Features:
- Brand new audio commentary by film critics Kim Newman and Nick de Semlyen
- Brand new audio commentary by film scholars Josh Nelson and Martyn Pedler
- Archive audio commentary by director George P. Cosmatos (1998)
- TV version of the film featuring deleted and alternate scenes, presented for the first time on home video (standard definition only)
- Slashing the Night Away, a new interview with composer Sylvester Levay
- Dark Glasses, Violence & Robots, a new visual essay by film critic Abbey Bender on Cobra and 80s maximalist cinema
- White Line Nightmare, a new visual essay by film critic Martyn Conterio on Cobra and the “Maverick Cop” genre
- Stalking and Slashing, an archive interview with actor Brian Thompson
- Meet the Disease, an archive interview with actor Marco Rodriguez
- Feel the Heat, an archive interview with actor Andrew Robinson
- Double Crossed, an archive interview with actor Lee Garlington
- A Work of Art, an archive interview with actor Art LaFleur
- The Making of Cobra, 1986 featurette
- Trailers and TV spots
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
- Illustrated collector’s booklet containing new writing on the film by film critics Clem Bastow, William Bibbiani, Priscilla Page, and Ariel Schudson
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
All these bonus features are, honestly, simply amazing! I love the interviews, essays and featurettes, but for me, the absolute best bonus feature may not be everyone’s favourite. As a young teenager, I remember watching Cobra on TV once then I never caught it again. I always wanted to, but never found it! Now, to see that TV version again is just priceless to me. It takes me back to my childhood. Huge kudos to Arrow Video for adding it as a bonus feature!
Overall, the 4K Ultra HD release of Cobra is a must-own for fans of ’80s action, Sylvester Stallone enthusiasts, and collectors of high-quality physical media. Whether you’re revisiting this cult classic or discovering it for the first time, this UHD Blu-ray edition is the definitive way to experience the iconic action, stylised violence, and tough-as-nails charisma that made Cobra a genre staple. This is pure ’80s action cinema in reference-quality 4K video and audio!
***** 5/5
Cobra will be released on 4K UHD on July 21st, courtesy of Arrow Video. Pre-order your copy here.
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