Charles Bronson is back!  Our fearless avenging angel has taken to the streets once again to kick a whole lot of criminal ass.  Thank GOD.  I already feel safe knowing that his 32-caliber nickel Colt revolver is blazing out of its 4-inch barrel again.

Wait, you say.  Isn’t Bronson dead?  Your memory is not mistaken. 

Bronson fired his last round way back in 2003.  He was 81 years young when he died, having last appeared – at least theatrically – in the largely disappointing Death Wish V: The Face of Death.  Yet, Bronson returns to avenge the crime ridden streets of Northern California in Death Kiss, thanks to Uncork'd Entertainment, writer-director Rene Perez (all three Playing with Dolls movies), and Bronson lookalike lead actor Robert “Bronzi” Kovacs. 

And the results of Bronson’s resurrection (thanks to Bronzi’s machismo and aim), with blood and bone and brain matter splattering everything in sight, is definitely reminiscent of the late actor’s work with Cannon Films in the 1980s.  The scumbags in the street better start running now because “The Stranger” has arrived.

Make no mistake about it, Bronzi looks like a dead ringer for Bronson.  He doesn’t sound like him much and, as a result, he doesn’t speak much (even less than good ol’ Chuck did) bit, no matter, those lines have been dubbed anyway; the illusion of Bronson back in action is definitely NOT shattered. 

This violent flick, thanks to a very sleek and stylish shoot, certainly has a lot of rock and roll swagger kicking about in it.  It’s not JUST about the blood, even if the inclusion of Daniel Baldwin as a right-wing talk radio host preaches about Old Testament-like treatment of criminals {googleads}

While American in its use of violence, the film has a cool European feel in its low budget engine. This gives Death Kiss a rather fascinating forward momentum which propels it across the finish line deserving of a standing ovation.  Seriously. 

Unapologetic and steely-eyed in its rollout, Death Kiss is a throwback to the action flicks of the Reagan era.  Bronzi has fun kneeing a suffering drug mule until he dies of an overdose and, later on, dumping barbeque sauce all over bad guys while tied to trees in the wilderness.  At one point, he protects himself by using a car door for a shield and carrying it through a field in front of him.

While Bronzi strolls the street pistol-whipping druggies and blasting holes in all sorts of bad guys, the gorgeous Eva Hamilton (Ruin Me), playing Ana who has a wheelchair-bound child to care for, keeps receiving mysterious packages in the mail.  She doesn’t mind either.  Someone – a very kind soul – is making sure she and her child are financially set. 

But who and why?!  The answer will shock you.  So, too, will the path that Bronzi takes as he kills his way toward the ultimate baddie in Richard Tyson as Tyrell, a vicious hate-spewing criminal ringleader.  In one key scene, Tyrell forces one man to kill to prove his loyalty and then, after the deed is done, reveals to him who he has just killed.  The results of the reveal are both disgusting AND gut-wrenching.  To say that Tyrell’s violent end is, in fact, justified is an understatement.  No tears will be shed as law and order are ignored throughout.  This is a movie about justice only.  At ANY cost.

Death Kiss is now available through VOD and digital platforms and will be out on Blu/DVD in December.

Film Details

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 98 mins
Director: Rene Perez
Writer: Rene Perez
Cast: Robert Bronzi, Daniel Baldwin, Richard Tyson
Genre: action | Thriller
Tagline: Cleaning up the streets one scumbag at a time.
Memorable Movie Quote: "An eye for an eye isn't just for revenge. It helps prevent future crimes."
VOD Distributor: Unicork'd Entertainment
Official Site: www.facebook.com/DeathKissMovie
Release Date: October 2, 2018
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: December 4, 2018
Synopsis: DEATH KISS concerns a vigilante with a mysterious past who goes to a crime-infested city and takes the law into his own hands, at the same time protecting a young mother and her child.

Blu-Ray Review

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Uncork'd Entertainment
Available on Blu-ray - December 4, 2018
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

With a pulse-pounding English DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix, Death Kiss hits the streets with crisp and glorious 1080p details also in tow. Fans of Bronson will probably dig the hell out of this release.  The blood! The cool reflections! The steely eyes! By putting this title on an on-Demand Blu-ray service, Uncork'd Entertainment shows they have a lot of faith in the movie.  They should, too.  The streets look more dangerous and too do the thugs that Bronzi must deal with.  Colors are bright.  Black levels are strong.  And the hits are felt thanks to the audio upgrade.  And need I mention that you get sweet nakedness from both Malorie Glavan and Eva Hamilton in sparkling HD? 

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

We get a look at some trailers.  Nothing special.

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