Movie Review: Red Scorpion

Red Scorpion a.k.a Red Exterminator

Abramoff Production, Scorpion Film Production, South Africa, USA, Namibia, 1988.

Lt. Nikolai Rachenko (Dolph Lundgren) is a tough Spetznaz officer. Soviet Union sends him to Mombaka to assassinate anti-communist rebel leader Ango Sundata (Ruben Nthodi). He must infiltrate the rebels and gain their trust. After wrecking a local bar he gets into a prison where Sundata's commander Kallunda (Al White) is held. Also foul-mouthed American reporter Dewey Ferguson (M. Emmet Walsh) is captured.

Lt. Nikolai Rachenko

Kallunda

Dewey Ferguson

The trio escapes prison and heads for Kallunda's home village. However the Soviets got there first and there are only smoking ruins left. Nikolai begins to question the Soviet occupation. When he fails to kill Sundata, the rebels abandon him in the desert. Nikolai's Russian and Cuban comrades find him and torture him. Nikolai has to escape again. Bushman Gao (Regopstaan) finds him and heals his wounds. Now it is time to help the rebels to drive away the evil Commies!

Ango Sundata

Gao

Col. Zayas (Carmen Argenziano)

"Red Scorpion" is a good old Cold War era Rambo-style action movie that has the twist of introducing a Russian hero who realizes that the Soviet system oppresses people. The African setting makes it feel a bit smarter than usual flicks of the genre. Also the addition of the Bushmans brings some emotional depth to the story with couple of touching scenes. This is one of Dolph's best action movies. Regopstaan as Gao the Bushman is fun. Brion James drops in as a cruel prison warden. Considering the low budget the action looks good and does not need to be outshined by the bigger budget Hollywood actioners. Goremaster Tom Savini made some special effects.

Nikolai in action

Something funny happens to Nikolai's bayonet:

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#28. Movie that has a colour in its name)

Rating: Good

Starring: Dolph Lundgren, M. Emmet Walsh, Al White, T.P. McKenna, Carmen Argenziano, Alex Colon, Brion James, Ruben Nthodi, Vuzi Dibukwana, James Mthoba, Dinky Motsemme, Ernest Ndlovu, Thapelo Mofokeng, Mxolisi Hulana, Nicky Rebelo, Drummond Marais, Charles Comyn, Tullio Moneta, Jurgen Hellberg, Graham Clarke, Irene Stephano, Nomsa Nene, Elijah Dhlamini, Patrick Shai, Peter Se-Puma, Tu Nokwe, Salathial Maake, Regopstaan, Anthony Fridjhon, Greg Latter, Rob Smith, Neo Matsunyane, Joe Mafela, Isaac Mavimbela, David Vlok

Director: Joseph Zito