Red Scorpion - Scorpione rosso

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.

Russian agent named Nikolai (Dolph Lundgren) is a Spetsnaz , a perfect killer machine . The Soviet lieutenant journey to Africa where is the headquarter in which lives the Russian and Cuban militia (Carmen Argenziano , Brion James). He is assigned to infiltrate and to assassinate an adversarial anti-Communist black revolutionary named Sundate as leader of a rebel group who is assisted by Kallunda (Al White). Nikolai unexpectedly , commits a betrayal that enrages his Russian commandant as the General Vortez (T.P. McKenna), who orders his immediate punishment . In this case the nasty General is a genocide officer who uses his helicopter to cause mayhem and slaughter in minority communities. Making his getaway through the dangerous desert, Nikolai switches sides and join forces with the rebels, in the company of an American reporter (M. Emmet Walsh). Nikolai allies himself with a tribe of bushmen, and earning the nickname "Red Scorpion" . As Nikolai's new-found independence and switch allegiances with new friends . All of them , lead in his leadership of the rebels against his previous comrades .

This moving film contains thrills ,fiercy combats , tortures , lethal shootouts and lots of explosions and noisy action . From the beginning to the end the comic-book action-packed and extreme violence is continued and it's fast movement ; for that reason the picture is pretty entertaining , though contains some perfunctory scenes . Passable performance of Sweden Dolph Lundgren as Soviet agent par excellence trained in deep undercover job and finds himself drawn to the guerrillas' riot . This is a routine actioner with Karate expertise star Dolph Lundgren as the Soviet veteran resulting to be one of the best roles he'd made to date , as he's fine -though some wooden- as tough, cold , obstinate agent Nikolai. It provides some interesting background on Dolph Lundgren 's rocky relationship with communism and switching allies with spectacular final climax storming their headquarters in a no-quarter , deadly showdown . Poor acting abounds but packed with violence , bloodshed and exciting action scenes as when Lundgren shoots his machine gun , several explosions or scenes from spectacular helicopters similarly used in ¨Rambo III ¨ at Afghanistan. Catching musical score by Jay Chattaway and regular cinematography by cameraman Joao Fernandez , both of whom worked in the trilogy ¨Braddock's Missing in action ¨ who bears certain resemblance in some qualities to ¨Red Scorpion¨. The motion picture produced in average budget is professionally directed by Joseph Zito (Invasion USA, 13th Friday final chapter, Missing in action , The prowler). Rating : Acceptable, passable and amusing but violent . Although the movie has some aspects a little tough to take , this thrilling film still has its nice moments getting a bemusing atmosphere with agreeable results , furthermore grossed moderated success at the box office .

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Directed by Missing In Action's Josepth Zito,this has Lundgren as Russian killing machine Nikolai,sent to Africa to take out an anti-communist rebel leader,only to suffer a conscience attack and take sides with his innocent,poverty stricken targets.Sure,there may be a lot of action packed explosions and gunfights between the middle and the end,but frankly,with a plot this slumberous and tackily put together,even the most dedicated action fan is likely to not care.**

1980ies saw various Cold War related films with titles beginning with Red: Red Dawn and Red Heat are most known, Red Scorpion has got somewhat less attention, but it is not bad at all. Many other action films contain much more clichés and Lundgren is less numb actor than e.g. Seagal, Dudikoff or Norris.

The only thing that really annoys me is letting Americans or Slavic emigrants to communicate in Russian - the result (= accent) is horrible, providing films undue undertones.

But still, both the script and Lundgren's performance have earned my 6 points; M. Emmet Walsh's part is even more catchy. Just forget the past black-and-white East-West collisions and enjoy it as a proper action film with constant (and at times complex) fight between good and evil, friendship and betrayal.