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29 out of 39 people found the following review useful: Have you ever seen a bushman?, 19 January 2005 Author: Mattias Petersson from Stockholm, Sweden
If there is something I connect to the 80's more than anything it's movies like this one. It came at the shivering end of the decade, when the cold war was nearly over. But it shows a technique honed through literally dozens of cold war action movies. A genre of it's own.The Russian KGB-agent Nikolai (Dolph Lundgren) is sent to Africa to kill a native revolutionary. However he is betrayed by his own people and instead befriends the man he was to kill. Soon he exacts his vengeance on his deceitful commanders.Dolph Lundgren is known from cold war epics like Rocky IV and Pentathlon. It seems his blonde Swedish looks are very Russian in the eyes of the American audience. Also his garbled accent might be appropriate as a substitute for real Russian. Here he shoots, explodes and slices half the Russian and Cuban armies in his quest for vengeance on the men who betrayed him. The machine of the communist party just needed one small deceit to see the error of his ways and instantly team up with natives and guerrillas to fight for their freedom.A touching story if you don't think about it. So, you've seen Rambo II and III? You've seen Missing in action with Chuck Norris? 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? Then you KNOW what this is about. And this might just be the best of the lot. This is simply 80's propaganda-action in it's most purified form. Entertaining to say the least. Rating is 1/10 for quality, 7/10 for entertainment and 10/10 for accents.
16 out of 20 people found the following review useful: Lame and overpatriotic, but not as brainless as you might think, 5 March 2004 Author: jamyskis from Paderborn, Germany
Red Scorpion was filmed and released in the final months of the Cold War when communism was soon to fall. The 1980s saw a whole range of anti-Soviet films (which, in their style, were technically propaganda) as well as films promoting peace between the United States and Soviet Union (the most odd example probably being Red Heat)This is certainly of the former camp. Portraying Dolph Lundgren as a mindless automaton of Soviet-era Russia, he fights with dedication for his Soviet commanders, until he is thrown in jail for drunken behaviour. 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. His education by an African Bushman is particularly funny, even touching at times as you see the relationship between Nikolai and the Bushman develop. It's just a shame that more wasn't made of it.All in all, the film does try to be what it isn't but doesn't suffer for it - indeed, at times, it even shows signs of succeeding.
11 out of 14 people found the following review useful: excellent pile of junk!!!!!!!!!!!, 20 April 2006 Author: vocal_warchild from Australia
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.
12 out of 20 people found the following review useful: Great movie, 7 April 2004 Author: dolphlundgren87 from sydney australia
It's a fantastic movie and very touching. It may appear 'slow' at times, but bear with it, because it's well worth it. I love the switching. First he's on the soviets side, then pretends to be on the african side, go back to the soviets only to be tortured and then escapes to re-join the african rebels. The theme music for this movie is FANTASTIC. The best scene is after Dolph blows off the Cuban commanders arm; he is outside firing a heavy machine gun (in slow motion with the theme song playing in the background). That part may only be 5 seconds long, but it's the best part in my opinion.
6 out of 9 people found the following review useful: A classic bit of 80s action cheddar, 14 February 2006 Author: ohdaniboy from United Kingdom
All true film fans must check out this classic example of the genre. Dolph Lundgren, never a poor man's Arnie by any standards, stars as Nikolai - a Russsian 'spech-nach' special forces, one man army type. There's a corny American journalist dude who likes rock n roll and democracy, a bushman who wanders around (yup you guessed it - Dolph switches sides and helps out the local tribespeople against his evil, commie ex-comrades) and there's the Russian Hind helicopter. Even if this sounds like pure hell you should check it out. 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. Most disappeared without trace but this sticks out. Dolph Lundgren in his prime, lots of AKs, a Raiders of the Lost Ark style Lorry chase - what more could you want?
8 out of 15 people found the following review useful: Surprisingly very enjoyable Lundgren flick *Possible Spoilers*, 23 December 2004 Author: (callanvass@hotmail.com) from victoria b.c canada
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Surprisingly very enjoyable Lundgren flick. This is very underrated (in my opinion with a good story (even though it's pretty dumb at times. But come on what did you expect! It's action people learn to enjoy it!. It had TONS of explosions, destruction and plenty of violence to keep you entertained. I thought Lundgren was excellent in this(but more on that later). This is not a very popular movie but i checked my brain at the door and enjoyed myself very much. Lundgren has a quite a few funny one liners too. Throughout the film you begin to see Dolph becoming more human. Loved the scenes between him and that African voodoo guy.The Direction is very good. Joseph Zito does a very good job here, with good effects, cool story, and keeping it at a very fast pace and overall doing a solid job!. There is TONS of violence!. we get TONS of bloody gunshot wounds, a bloody broken nose, a person sticks pin needles into someone's flesh, HUNDREDS of very graphic but non bloody gunshot wounds, very bloody wound on a leg, an arm shot off (nasty scene the arm literally comes off. The acting is great. 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 ! and he kicked that butt!. M. Emmet Walsh annoyed me at first but turned out to be a likable guy in the end. Al White was awesome here i remember him from Airplane 1 and 2. he gave a very good performance and was very likable. T.p McKenna is good as the main villain and was menacing. Overall i highly recommend this give it a try! ***1/2 out of 5
Average, 1 November 2009 Author: Grann-Bach (Grann-Bach@jubii.dk) from Denmark
The most distinguishing feature of this is where it was filmed, and, linked to that, the fact that there are actual bush-men in it. 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. I do not know enough about Russian to judge his accent or pronunciation, but going by the message boards, it's terrible. The acting is OK. I'm certain I'm not the only who wanted to strangle Walsh every time he opened his mouth; that's not his fault, it's how his role was written. The plot is sufficiently simple. Pacing is acceptable. The explosions, chases, shootouts and fights are reasonably done and entertaining enough, if nothing special. There's a lot of attempts at humor in this... however, only a select few are funny. More typically, it comes off as forced and trying too hard. This is by no means a great piece of work, and if was truly funded by pro-Apartheid military, it basically redefines the term "guilty pleasure". There is frequent strong language and a moderate amount of bloody, and occasionally gory, violence. The DVD contains a trailer for this, and one for Blue Jean Cop. I recommend this to fans of those who made it. 4/10
Watch out Matrix and Rambo! Here's Nicolai!, 22 February 2009 Author: ray_jackson_kumite from United States
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.'
If Rambo were Russian his name would be Nikolai, 7 February 2009 Author: Enchorde from Sweden
Recap: Nikolai Rachenko is an elite soldier, trained warrior and the best weapon in the Soviet System. Nikolai is Spetznaz. Now he is sent to Africa where The Soviets with their communist allies tries to pacify a country and it's native rebels. Nikolai's mission is to assassinate the leader of the rebellion, stemming it at its source. But his time with the natives open his eyes and shows his armies leaders as who they truly are.Comments: Extremely similar to the Rambo-movies, especially the ones after First Blood. So similar that you actually might interchange Rambo and Nikolai without really noticing it, except for the hair color. This movie is all about muscles, guns and explosions.But no one really expected anything else, did they? For all it's faults in story and, unfortunately I must say of fellow Swede Dolph and companions less than stellar acting, it is entertaining. There is a lot of shooting going on, and everything that possible can (including straw huts), blow up.Probably not the movie you would choose for a date (well, guns for the boys and muscles for the ladies, so maybe after all? :) ) but for anyone who likes mindless action, this is a sure bet.6/10
Below average Lundgren action drama., 12 December 2008 Author: Paul Andrews (poolandrews@hotmail.com) from UK
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). It's a tough job but someone has to do it. Nikolai apparently saves Kallunda from a public execution at his own risk which has the desired effect of making Kallunda trust him, as Nikolai spends time with Kallunda & eventually meets Sundata he realises that he has been fighting for the wrong side & wages a one man war on his own country & it's army in order to liberate Africa & it's people...This South African, American & Namibian co-production was directed by Joseph Zito & I actually had quite high hopes for Red Scorpion in a cheesy over-the-top testosterone filled late 80's action flick of the kind they just don't make anymore sort of a way but after wasting 100 odd minutes on this rather mundane & boring film I realised why they don't make these sorts of films anymore as Red Scorpion exemplifies just about everything wrong with the late 80's & early 90's action flick fad. I like my action films with plenty of action & gratuitous violence in them, unfortunately Red Scorpion actually tries to have some sort of meaning & say something relevant about world events at the time. Now, I'm all for a bit of drama & seriousness if it's done properly but having the Sweedish actor Dolph Lundgren playing a Russian in Africa finding his true self, redemption & have him join some tribe or other in which he then instantly sympathises with the whole country & realises how bad & evil his own country is while running around in nothing but shorts & sandals with a silly haircut is not the way to go about it. Right? A lot of the running time of Red Scorpion is devoted to Lundgren wondering around as he develops a conscience, yawn. Where's all the action? Where are all the one-liners? Where is the obligatory love interest for Lundgren to save at the end? Why is Red Scorpion so boring & quite frankly dull? These Russians can't be that smart can they? I mean you have invaded Africa & have waged war on it's people so who do you send in to kill one of your biggest enemies? That's right a huge soldier with a Russian accent. Yeah, that's going to work isn't it? I mean I am sure every African will help big Lundgren, totally & utterly trust him & give him pretty much anything he wants. Wouldn't you? For my money Red Scorpion has too much preaching & moralising with the main plot an obvious take on apartheid & the events in Africa at the time. I usually like big, dumb, brainless action flicks but I found Red Scorpion seriously dull.Even the action sequences aren't that good, they feel too random with lots of shoot-outs where lots of people are shot but you never feel Lundgren is in danger & of course all the bad guy's have terrible aims & can't shoot straight. Lots of things blow up too but for no real reason & Lundgren is rarely in the same shot so again there's no threat there or last minute escapes or anything of that sort. For all we know these explosions could be happening twenty miles from where Lundgren is. There's a reasonable car chase about twenty minutes in but it's ruined by a very inappropriate & somewhat annoying song on the soundtrack. The violence is also disappointing, there's barely any fighting or hand to hand combat in it & there's not much blood either. A guy sticks some spikes into Lundgren as a form of torture & Lundgren shoots a soldiers arm off but other than that this is actually surprisingly tame.With a supposed budget of about $16,000,000 Red Scorpion was shot in Namibia in Africa & therefore breaking an international boycott of the country for it's apartheid regime which this film ironically tries to highlight, apparently the budget for the film was pulled & the cast & crew were stuck there for three months while the money was got back. The cast is alright although Lundgren is awful, it's always nice to see Brion James in something but what happened to his character who seemingly disappears half way through the film.Red Scorpion is a anti apartheid drama disguised as an action film & a bad action film at that. This has no real meaning, the dialogue sucks as does the story & action. Not one I would want to see again in a hurry. Followed by the totally unconnected Red Scorpion 2 (1994).
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