Red Scorpion

This 80's actioner, described by critics at the time as one of the most stupid films of all time, could be succinctly described as a kind of Dances with Wolves on steroids with a Russian accent. This anti-communist agitprop by director Joseph Zito (a renowned specialist in killing communists in films) is still mentioned in political books today because of the controversy surrounding its financing – a notorious Republican lobbyist who was later jailed for corruption. The uniqueness of Red Scorpion lies in the fact that its main character is a Russian defector, and it’s also set in the African desert, not exactly a common setting in action films. Dolph Lundgren plays a Soviet special commando with a penchant for killing, drinking vodka and burping. His mission is to eliminate an African leader of anti-communist rebels, but after two days in the desert with a scrawny Bushman, he sobers up and begins to question his mission. And then, one day when his bushman friend, who looks like Xixao from The Gods Must Be Crazy, makes him sandals, he realizes he's kicking for the wrong team. He throws away his dog tags and clothes and decides to kick his Soviet, Cuban and Czech (!) comrades out of Africa. I first saw the film in the 90s on videotape with a wonderfully wacky Czech dubbing that took the experience to an even higher level. Again, Lundgren wasn't afforded much dialogue or much clothing (they didn't skimp on the baby oil, though). His minimalist acting fits perfectly with the role of a cold, brainwashed soldier with a ghostly gaze that occasionally flashes hints of awakening mental processes. In fact, the funniest thing about the film is his interactions with the other characters (especially the five-head-smaller bushman and the perpetually cursing American journalist). Lundgren here, one could say, follows his role as the juiced-up Soviet boxer Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, who crosses over to the other side and turns into an angry Rambo action hero. While Stallone had Rambo, Schwarzenegger Commando and Norris Missing in Action, Lundgren had Red Scorpion. (06/25/2016)