Red Scorpion (1989)

Very best movie i ever watch

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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.

I'm not the biggest fan of action movies. But i love this one. Good action scenes, excellent scenarios, a not-ridiculous story. It's for entertainment, for sure, and that's all. The acting is just enough, no need for amazing acting. I love the "rebirth" theme with the indigenous character, realizing what is "good" and "bad" for those people, for those who lived in that country. Lundgren is just like Scharzenneger was in the early movies. Acting with few words and a lot of muscles. The chasing scene with 50's and 60's rock screaming in the megaphones is excellent. If you want to have a good time, pure entertainment... By the away, a little history lesson. There has been a lot of criticism because the soldiers in Africa speak Spanish. Well, the Soviet forces in Africa many times had Cuban soldiers inlisted. The reason: the weather, the cuban were more used to high temperatures. It's not a mistake.

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.

Red Scorpion' is one of the weakest efforts from Dolph Lundgren in the first phase of his career (roughly defined as from 'Rocky IV' to 'Joshua Tree'). I personally felt the story behind the making of this film was more interesting than the plot itself; however, 'Red Scorpion' can be viewed without all the political implications and messages the producer and the South African regime that funded it intended in the form of a brainless action film. I can say that the primary enjoyment only comes from seeing Dolph kick some ass, and all the explosions and mayhem that comes with it. The director, Joseph Zito (who also helmed the equally over-the-top Chuck Norris vehicle Invasion U.S.A.) doesn't disappoint, and he keeps Dolph blowin' shiznit up real good the entire film. M. Emmet Walsh was just really annoying as the ultra liberal reporter stereotype, and the only other costars who are tolerable in this are Brion James and the bushman who takes Dolph under his wing. The film drags a lot, and the most annoying aspect of the film, in my opinion, was the overuse of Little Richard's music. I swear, every time there was an action set piece, they would play that crap, and it didn't really fit at all. I demand a re-score.I have to say that this is good Dolph, but in comparison with something of the caliber of 'I Come in Peace,' 'the Punisher' or Showdown in Little Tokyo- dare I say it, even Masters of the Universe?-, it falls far short in the first phase of the Dolph cannon. Yeah, he still delivers here- he's a big, towering dude beating up bad guys, shooting big guns at commies, drunkenly singing the Soviet national anthem and beating up little pansies in a bar, showing off his muscles, hunting warthogs, and blowing a whole crap load up. What more do you really need if it's Dolph?If you want brainless action, you may enjoy this. If you want Dolph, he's done better. But this is still an interesting film to watch if you can't get ahold of 'Joshua Tree' or 'Showdown.'