Sorry, this movie sucks

Sick Product of a Sick System

Just perfect...

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Made in the prime of Dolph's career "Red Scorpion" roars to life, with lots of highly-charged scenes of explosive, hard-hitting violence and bloodshed. And yet it's the hilariously boisterous and buffoon-like antics of the great, veteran, character-actor M. Emmett Walsh and his hot-headed humor, that really balances out the movie beautifully. In the film he plays a loud-mouthed blow-hard and his frequent patterings of expletive-ridden banter, gives the film a great amount angst and loads of off-color humor. Not to be out-done, Dolph takes a side-trip into the bush country and while he's hanging out with the natives, it's here that he experiences several life-changing events, which eventually leads him down the road to a full-blown "spiritual awakening". Ultimately this miraculous transformation of mind and soul culminates in a scene, where his adoptive tribe ceremonially etches "the mark of the hunter" into his flesh - which is, fittingly enough, a scorpion. What could possibly top that? Well... not to leave out this fine detail, one that's central to the movies plot, which is, during Dolphs tribal experience, not only does he acquire a new out-look on life, but also a new pair of sandals to go with it.Red Scorpion was filmed primarily in Africa in 1988 on a fairly modest budget, however when it's all said and done it remains one of Dolph Lungren's best and most memorable action films - which over the years has been a true pleasure to watch time and again. Red Scorpion is well-paced throughout and is rarely, if ever dull even for an instant. As mentioned above, the films violent proceedings are effectively livened up by the cantankerous, foul-mouthed, rantings of one M. Emmett Walsh (endearingly known as "The Fatguy from Red Scorpion"), who is very much so the polar-opposite of Lundgren, in both appearance and personality. In light of such stark contrasts of character, this consequently ensures that he's at odds with the films star every step of the way, in other words the two characters play-off each other beautifully. The casting as a whole is very solid and no actor looks/sounds out of place, it's production values (the Russian military base, helicopter mock-ups, custom-made weaponry, etc.) may not be award-winning, but are strong throughout and I absolutely love how this film was edited and in so doing gives the films many action scenes an extra kick in the pants. The films crew was comprised mostly of young talent, who where still quite green to film-making (especially the films first-time producers) and the enthusiasm that they put into this movie is often palpable, perhaps none more so then the level of excitement witnessed during the chase sequence which erupts about 15 minutes in.Made in the late-80's Red Scorpion is very much a product of the time, because not only does it look and sound like a lower-budget version of Rambo III (consequently that film was released less then a year earlier); but due to how many of the films action scenes were staged and especially in the way in which they were edited. If I were to drop another 80's reference, well, the more you watch Red Scorpion, the stronger the "A-Team" vibe seems to get. As this film packs in lot's of quick fiery/dust-filled cuts of boisterous AK-action and vehicular carnage, which are formulamatically accompanied by such familiar sights, such as: drab military vehicles, flimsy wooden guard-towers (always a favorite target), a spattering of sand-bags, chain-link fencing, stacks of wooden boxes and ammo-crates and of course what 80's action film-set would be complete without some 55-gallon steel drums worked into the picture - still a common part of the equation today, but absolutely mandatory in those days. So even though it's set in the distant desert climes of the African bush country, the film still manages to deliver, a strong dose of familiarity and 80's action movie clichés by the truckloads, which is undoubtedly part of it's charm. If I were to keep score of the films action scenes, I'd say there's at least three major extended battle sequences and a good half-dozen or so smaller skirmishes, ultimately Red Scorpion never stays quite for long. It's a hard-hitting bloodbath, that's predestined to be fought on the hot, arid, plains of central Africa.*Note* If you're a fan of hard-hitting, helicopter carnage, take notice of this film, because it happens to be one of the best movies to fill that niche. Red Scorpion delivers lots of first-rate rotary-action, which is due entirely to the fact that on several occasions the Russian-made Hind Gunship (or a mock-up of one) is prominently featured front and center. This notorious machine of war is ever-ready to wreak death and destruction from above - and as you'll see, it very often does. As the Cold War-era saying goes "never smile at the crocodile", which for those who are not familiar, is a reference to the Hind's fearsome looking shark mouth paint-scheme, which only increases it's already impressively intimidating appearance.Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention it. For those of you who haven't up-graded to the Blu-ray yet, Red Scorpion is simply cooler then ever and now sports some utterly bitchin' flame-throwers! Just why they left that out the first time, I'll never know.

Once Mr. Dolph Lundgren began pursuing an acting career, it wasn't until he played He-Man in The Masters of the Universe (1987) that he began approximately putting out a movie per year. Next in that line up was this action film. It's also probably the last time Dolph Lundgren ever played a Russian character. Good thing too because being typecast as a certain character frequently doesn't give the viewer something more to look forward too. Here, he plays a devoted Russian soldier who is trained and highly skilled in the art of killing. But as the story continues, he realizes maybe he's not seeing the whole picture.With a screenplay written by first timer Arne Olsen, it isn't great nor is it terrible. The story does contain some meaningful moments, but most of them are frequently overshadowed by scenes that are predictable enough that regular viewers could see it coming a mile away. There are also some points in the film that would make the viewer question "How does this pertain to the development of the character?". It can be far fetched at times. Like how is learning the way of a hunter open one's eyes to reality? Is it really that powerful of a activity?That's not to say the actors perform badly though. Dolph Lundgren portraying a Russian is accurate. He's a blonde, large, hulking mass of muscle and can speak with the basic accent. Al White plays an African rebel leader who is also legitimate in his role. M. Emmet Walsh plays a an American reporter who accompanies Al White's character. My question is though, how did an American reporter get caught in the middle of this? Lastly, Brion James makes an appearance too, who would play the British character, Requin in Tango & Cash (1989) a year later. It's an alright cast for this movie.However, the way the action is executed reminds me of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Commando (1985). There's lots of explosions and plenty of shootings. Just like Schwarzenegger, Lundgren runs around in war paint firing his machine gun without getting a scratch. But perhaps what helped this movie to excel further than Commando (1985) was the human aspect of it. Al White's character leads a bunch of poor followers who seek freedom from the Russian oppression. And when the audience sees them fall, it's hard to watch. Assisting those particular segments was Jay Chattaway's music to the film. In some places it worked but the rest didn't. It was an average listening experience.At least, the film was directed by a competent person. Joseph Zito, the man behind Chuck Norris' Missing in Action (1984), Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) and The Prowler (1981) knew what he was doing. Also accompanying him is cinematographer João Fernandes who has also worked with Zito in the past. Fernandes was able to get nice shots of the arid terrain, which at least allows the audience to believe the place Lundgren was set in wasn't forgiving. In the end, it's not great or terrible. It's just average film making.As Dolph Lundgren's last film to play a Russian character, it comes off as a better rip-off of Commando (1985) but doesn't take the story in any direction that hasn't been explored. Just average on the whole.

I'm pumped that Synapse films gave this the proper treatment on bluray ( my first generation DVD is basically VHS quality ). Red Scorpion is a bit underrated in my opinion. It came out at the end of the cold war and around this time action movies were still in demand , but less than a few years previous . I love the action genre and while movies like Commando and Rambo First Blood pt.2 came first and are better films, this movie is similar and delivers . This is by no means a drama , just a pure action film with lots of one liners and a high body count. Dolf Lundren plays Soviet super soldier who switches sides and did a fine job in this one man army flick . M.Emmet Walsh is great in this and completely hilarious . Brion James is a great heavy and director Joe Zito blows up half of the continent of Africa. If the same movie came out in 1986 it would be much more popular , but if you want action this movie was made for you. Also, like Predator you get the music of Little Richard.

I can't believe all the negative reviews and low rating given to this excellent film. This is one of Dolph's best film. There is a scene which I will never forget: the tall Russian standing alongside the tiny bushman.The film is about the oppression of the Communist regime against an anti-Communist black revolutionary. A Spetsnaz-a Soviet agent (Dolph Lundgren) par excellence trained in deep undercover work is assigned to infiltrate and stop a rebel African uprising.He does this by being a sort of decoy: a drunk and undisciplined solder in a jail cell where he makes friends with one of the captured rebels and American journalist (M. Emmet Walsh). They all escape together and inadvertently Nikolai is lead to the leader of the rebels. In the middle of the night he attempts to assassinate him but is caught red-handed and imprisoned.He is recaptured and placed under inquiry.Nikolai unexpectedly finds himself drawn to the guerrillas cause, a betrayal that enrages his Russian superiors, who order his immediate termination. He is awaiting torture but manages to escape through the desert, but is stung by scorpions in the process.A bushman rescues him and cures him of the poisonous stings. He also tattoos a scorpion on him, according to their tribal customs. Thus the title of the film RED SCORPION.Nikolai recovers and the bushman starts to train him in the art of survival in the harsh desert environment. Nikolai learns fast and soon reunites with the rebels and helps them overthrow his former masters. Very good acting, action and cinematography of the Namibian desert and bushmen. A must film for all action lovers. Highly recommended. I give a full 10/10.