Red Scorpion (1989)

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.

OK now I'm not going to try and say that this film is by any means a true classic, BUT it is a type of classic.in so much as that it has the man Dolph, mostly half nude, and it has guns, and some really nasty ones at that. so the plot is really weak, nobody is going to buy into the fact that one guy can save a nation but thats not the point, its really just a vehicle for Dolph to do his thing, which is to look tough and sound funny in a monotone kinda way.i really like the torture scene where the guy is sticking large needles through Dolphs anatomy, actually looks pretty realistic considering its not a big budget film, and also i like the scarification that Dolphs little tribesman friend does for him while he is drugged.the highlight of the film for me is probably the goofy relationship that is forged between Dolphs character and the little bushman, its really fun. the language barrier is well played out but the writers and actors have enabled this element to flow very well and their means of communication is really very effective at translating the messages of the relationship for the film.so do yourself a favor and go rent the DVD as it has at long last been released, and sit back and enjoy some cornball action for all its worth.just don't expect any special features cause their isn't any.

Lt. Nikolai Rachenko is a Russian Special Forces soldier assigned to go undercover in Africa to root out an anti-communist leader, Kallunda (White) - don't forget, Rachenko's superiors are all commies. While in the midst of this deep cover, Rachenko becomes sympathetic to the anti-communist cause and realizes he has been manipulated by the higher-ups. So he goes on an explosion-packed killing spree, shooting and, when need be, dismembering his enemies (hey, it was an emergency). Rachenko may seem like a man of stone, but it's clear he yearns to be free. Along the way he meets an obnoxious American journalist, Dewey Ferguson (Walsh) and an elderly African tribesman shows Rachenko his human side.With a movie starring Dolph Lundgren, directed by Joseph Zito (forever in the hall of fame for Invasion USA, 1985 alone), and produced by Jack Abramoff (rumor has it his "evil hat" was an uncredited co-producer), you'd think the results would be just a bit more impressive. Not that Red Scorpion is bad at all - but it's too long and the middle section drags. Perhaps that's just to lull us before the big final battle, but it's quite a lull. There's no reason for this film to be 100 minutes. With the pedigree involved in the movie's production, it's not unreasonable to expect more.The film has some really high-quality, impressive explosions. The team that worked on the pyrotechnics should be applauded. And of course, the hero gets tortured (there are some really impressive effects there too), but there are some nice underlying plot ideas in addition to the many "blow-ups": 1. Think for yourself, 2. Communism sucks, 3. A friendship can exist between a geriatric African bushman and a blonde, Swedish hulk even if they don't speak the same language 4. The intrigue of "who are the real enemies?", and of course, playing the same, repetitive Little Richard songs over and over again will remind everyone of America's greatness and freedom.Interestingly enough, the one American character, Dewey, is obnoxious and unlikable throughout most of the film. If this movie is just a propaganda piece for the U.S., they aren't helping their case by portraying Americans that way. But we do learn the secret of the "Red Scorpion" tattoo - later seen as the only, tenuous (at best) link between this film and its sequel. But there are actual scorpions in the movie that crawl on Dolph's body. Whether they are "Red", i.e., commies sent by his superiors, remains unknown.There were a lot of anti-communist 80's action movies, but this one has Dolph Lundgren, and apparently the filmmakers were so impressed with their explosions, rightfully I might add, that during the end credits, there are continuous explosion sounds. You don't see them, you just hear them. While you may know what to expect with Red Scorpion, its messages help it stand out.For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

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.