Red Scorpion
Tags: violence, revenge, cult, comedy, murder

Plot synopsis:
The movie opens with a room full of generals and strategists from Russia and other communist countries. They bring in Lt. Rachenco (Dolf Lungren) a special forces expert. he is given the mission of killing a well known leader of an anti communist movement. Kintash (Al White) is a hostage that will help him find this wanted leader. Shortly after he arrives at a military compound, Rachenco is arrested for getting drunk and tearing up the bar on base. Of course he is put in a cell with Kintash and Ferguson, an American. Ferguson and Kintash are old friends that get re-acquainted. Then Ferguson, who doesn't like Russians complains about being locked up with Rachenco until he sees the size of this Russian. Then, several Russian soldiers come into their cell. Because Ferguson is mouthy he gets burned by a cigar and a fight breaks out. Rachenco helps his cell mates in the battle and the three escape together. The get armed and stow away in a convoy truck. Soon they take the truck over with rachenco driving. They draw the attack of a small army. After shooting and blowing up the other vehicles, Rachenco has had enough of Ferguson's anti- Russian remarks and points a gun at him. Since they are on foot and a tank and chopper is looking for them, Kintash reminds them of the dander they are in. They decide to go together to a small village to avoid the communist military. Night fall comes and the three men set up camp in the desert. After Ferguson drops a lot of f-words, Rachenco asks if all Americans curse like he does. The next day, they walk to the village and see that it has been attacked. Most homes were destroyed but some women and children are left alive. Kintash is the only one that trusts Rachenco since it was Russians who have waged this war. Three new friends find a pond to cool off in, and then trouble arrives. Cuban and Russian forces move in to take them hostage. Just then, a well armed band of rebels arrive and take out the communists, freeing all three of them. Later, they arrive at another village, and the leader wants Rachenco confined. After getting fed up with his cell, Rachenco escapes. After he is caught, Ferguson is allowed to beat him with a gun, and then he is left far from the village for his fellow Russians to find him. Rachenco is captured by his own army and is imprisoned again. He tries to reconcile with his general. It is no use because the Cuban General has insisted on his execution. Of course, the powerful and skilled Russian escapes, killing his Cuban captor. The he ventures across the desert at night, fleeing his pursuers. Badly stun by scorpions, Rachenco passes out. The next morning, an aboriginal bush tribe finds him. They nurse him back to health as the Russian/Cuban forces search the dessert for him. Meantime, the Russians attack another village. Then the communist coalition finds and attacks the rebel base. Rachenco is meanwhile living with the bush people. As he learns their ways, he is branded as The Red Scorpion. He and his bush man go back to the village and find that the rebel leader is dying. So, they round up the remaining rebels and attack the Russian base. After a bloody battle of bullets and explosions, takes to the building where the generals he once worked for are. He takes them out while the rebels mop up on the base. After defeating the Russian/Cuban forces, Rachenco gives Ferguson an f-bomb when Ferguson says, "You did it"!

Review: You've seen dozens of other cold war action movies where Russians are killed in the hundreds and the hero hardly flinches when he is shot?
There he meets a resistance fighter, who the Soviet command have designated as a terrorist threat, and learns the "truth" about the Soviet presence.Looking beyond the mindless action scenes (which, despite the countless guns and explosions), there is a good fable about the possibility of manipulating truth, and how appearance is not always truth.
It's nothing deep, and won't have film academics breaking out in a sweat, but it does add some interesting twists to the story.Dolph Lundgren's acting, as always, does leave a lot to be desired, but then this film does seem to be concentrating more on the storyline and action.
Made in 89, it's a strange bit of forgotten film history - dozens of Rambo-style war movies came out at this time, preaching the sort of right wing Ronald Regan style pro-American politics.
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.
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..
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..
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.
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.
Anything "Red" out of Hollywood would be better dead.The usual Cold War anti-Soviet/Russian propaganda.The movie most likely takes place in Angola, as this was the only place where Soviet and Cuban troops were deployed in Africa in the 1980's.The real history was that a Progressive Angolan government was overthrown by "freedom fighters"(UNITA) loyal to Ultra-Nationalists in South Africa and the US.
He must not have been stupid enough to do a sequel but he was sure still stupid enough to do the first.The movie itself is about a Russian special forces soldier sent to Africa to assassinate a couple of innocent African tribes men only to defect and join the rebel's cause.The movie is painfully slow from the beginning and the majority of the action is packed in to the final ten minutes, a syndrome which many action movie flops suffer from.It will take you at least half the movie to get used to Ludgren's ridiculous hair which looks like a cross between Mr. T and Einstien.
This was one of many movies with a theme that good Russians can escape a bad Soviet system and become heroes and allies to freedom (so long as they don't run out of bullets).
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.
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..
At one time, before he reaches his notoriety with his embezzling of Native Americans at their casinos, among many other things, he was into movies, and was also part of the 'Young Republicans', who were, basically, a bunch of right-wing nut-jobs exerting their influence at the tail-end of the Cold War. Also, they were interested in propping up dictators in Africa and elsewhere who happened to be vehemently anti-Communist (that they may have also been totally blood-thirsty maniacs, such as the one Abramoff helped out in Angola, wasn't as much of a concern).
I mention this in part as background on this movie, funded by right-wing folks and African heavies, but also that this story- mentioned in the documentary Casino Jack- is much more fascinating than the film itself.This didn't mean I was expecting something truly amazing action-wise, and chances are you aren't (or did not) expect it either.
Hell, even Lundgren gets to let his action-pecs fly, and it's entertaining in bits to see him do to (these bits are mostly at the climax).But there's little of way of interest past it being a mundane action movie where a) because it's really funded by Americans and meant to be an anti-Commie screed, the Russian killing-machine will be changed after seeing th oppression his people wring on the African tribes, and fights back with them becoming...
But even if one can go into it as a mindless action movie, certain moments (like when Lundgren escapes from the "prison" which is just one room) don't make sense, and the dialog takes itself too seriously.
For one there is hardly any action and Dolph Lundgren's charisma-less perf is actually one of the film's better qualities.
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All CostsDirected 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.**.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Of course, in the end the Soviets are still the blacker-than-black bad guys and the good guys (the rebels) win out in the end, but it still makes you think.As it was actually filmed in Africa, this film has some authentic and beautiful locations, especially in the desert scenes.
Lundgren's minimalist style of acting actually fits the bill here as he plays the impassive soldier who gradually begins to realise that the side he is fighting for is the wrong side, and he makes a believable transition from baddie to rebel leader at the end.The American supporting cast is pretty forgettable, though.
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.
It's also probably the last time Dolph Lundgren ever played a Russian character.
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.
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.
Lundgren makes a good enough Rambo-type, one-man-army action flick protagonist, though one has to wonder why this passes on every single opportunity for a one-liner.
Most of the action sequences are at the beginning & the very end, with a nice little moral lesson about doing the right thing set against the back drop of the atrocities of the Soviet/Communist red army.
I'm a big fan of the whole "one man army" style action films like the Rambo movies, COMMANDO, & Segal's UNDER SIEGE films, & unfortunately RED SCORPION just doesn't rank very high on that scale.
Starts out as a B-action movie with a mission, turns out that that mission just failed.M.Emmet Walsh as an american reporter is absolutely the best..
This is one of the better Dolph Lundgren movies, whom I believe to be one of the most overlooked action stars.
Dolph is the king of B action movies, it's disappointing he never got to get a chance to star in a major big budget film..
Probably the best part of the movie.The problem with "Red scorpion" is the fact that for an action movie this is rather mundane & boring film.
Dolph Lundgren stars as Nikolai a perfect killing machine who is sent to kill an African rebel leader and ends up switching sides after his mission fails in this standard one man army bodycount actioner.
A late-'80s example of blatant American anti-communist propaganda (the film was produced, not without incident, by disgraced Pro-Reaganite and anti-communist Jack Abramoff), Red Scorpion stars Dolph Lundgren as proud Russian Nikolai Rachenko, an elite Spetsnaz special forces commando sent to kill an African rebel; however, after being punished for the failure of his mission, and having witnessing atrocities ordered by his superiors, Nikolai comes to realise that he has been fighting for the wrong side.As expected, the Russians (and their commie allies, the Cubans) are depicted as sadistic, evil oppressors with no redeeming qualities (cult movie baddie Brion James lends his sneer to the cause), and the African rebels are seen as noble freedom fighters, with Nikolai's change of heart transforming him from cold killing machine to lovable lunk with a mile-wide smile.
Of course, Nikolai avoids death at every turn, although he still suffers a reasonable amount of pain over the course of the film, including getting stung by a scorpion and enduring a rather nasty spot of torture, needle-like daggers pushed through his flesh.Movie gore legend Tom Savini, who previously worked with director Joseph Zito on Rosemary's Killer and Friday the 13th Part IV, provides the makeup effects, including an arm severed by a machete.6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for Dolph's hair..
If you want the quick explanation, it's up there with 'First Blood part 2.' It's also a thoughtful war film that leaves America out of the Cold War picture and instead ponders on just how much death and destruction a man must witness before he realizes he's fighting a war that is inherently not only wrong but simply evil.Dolph Lundgren is Nikolai Rachenko, one of the Spetsnaz's finest soldiers.
Accepting that he is no longer with the Russians after the way they treated him and left him for dead, when he is ready to move on, Nikolai takes it upon himself to go back to see Sundata and show that he now bears tribal honours only to find that the revolutionary has been mortally wounded by the encroaching Russian forces.Feeling that he owes it to Sundata and his people after a heart to heart with the dying man, Nikolai goes on to lead an offensive against the invaders, his former leaders and fellow soldiers, to smash the Soviet and Cuban forces and send them out of Africa.The film was directed by Joseph Zito who reached varying degrees of success in the '80's with three other titles; two Chuck Norris vehicles, 'Missing in Action' and 'Invasion USA' and intended franchise finale 'Friday 13th part 4: The Final Chapter.' Turning Chuck Norris into a legitimate action movie star, the same could almost be said for Lundgren, only it was Lundgren's later features that failed him.Zito makes a great film by taking the old-school action and war molds and applying a sensible amount of politics and intelligence into the African characters and their purpose.
Add the Little Richard soundtrack and you have a classic action film with something a little different to offer.'Red Scorpion' is like many other action films of the '80's that could have gone on to have successful and valid sequels, however it's a perfect little gem all by itself and one of the reasons Dolph Lundgren was such a promising star back in the day.I recommend 'Red Scorpion' for an action movie night if you're planning on watching 'Missing in Action' or 'Rambo' or Schwarzenegger's 'Commando.'.
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 .
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.
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.
Dolph Lundgren deserves more credit then he has been giving he is a GREAT action star and very entertaining to watch, he gave a very good performance here and was very likable plus was he ever buffed up !
Red Scorpion is set in Africa where the Russians & Cubans are at war with the natives as they try to bring Communisim to the country, however the war isn't going as well as they had hoped so step in hard as nails Spetznats special forces solider Lieutenant Nikolai Rachenko (Dolph Lundgren) who is ordered by his boss General Vortek (T.P. McKenna) to go undercover in Africa to assassinate an anti-Communist revolutionary & hero to the people Ango Sundata (Ruben Nthodi) by gaining the confidence of his right hand man Kallunda Kintash (Al White).