Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 13, 2012

Joseph Zito's "Red Scorpion" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Synapse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer; TV Spots; audio commentary with director Joseph Zito and Nathaniel Thompson; video interview with Dolph Lundgren; brand new video with producer Jack Abramoff; video interview with special make-up effects creator Tom Savini; motion still gallery; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

His looks aren't the only thing that can kill

Here’s a film that falls into the "it is so bad that it is actually good" category. It is called Red Scorpionand was released in 1988. It was directed by Joseph Zito, who also did The Prowler (1981), Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), and Missing In Action (1984), and was apparently partially funded by a right-wing foundation which was linked to the South African government, which in the late '80s was working hard to undermine the African National Congress.

The film is about a Soviet supersoldier, Lt. Nikolai Rachenko (played by the Swedish hunk Dolph Lundgren, Rocky IV, Showdown in Little Tokyo), who is sent on to an unknown country in Africa to eliminate an influential anti-communist leader (Ruben Nthodi). Along the way Nikolai meets Kallunda (Al White, TV's Matlock), his target’s right-hand man, and Dewey Ferguson (M. Emmet Walsh, Blade Runner, White Sands), a seriously annoying American journalist who can’t stop swearing. They become friends after Nikolai manages to kill a rather large number of his countrymen deep into the desert. Eventually, Nikolai is introduced to his target, who immediately figures out what his intentions are.

Fastforward. Nikolai escapes in the desert, where he is bitten by a scorpion. Luckily, he is saved by a hilarious character with a pretty decent bag of tricks named Gao (whose haircut is pretty similar to that of the skinny fella from Jamie Uys’ The Gods Must Be Crazy). The two become good friends and, after the Soviets destroy Gao’s village, eventually Nikolai realizes that he has been defending the dark side. Then, he meets his target again and goes on a killing spree that impresses the American journalist.

Red Scorpion is a straightforward propaganda film which imitates another straightforward propaganda film that was released in 1988 - Peter MacDonald’s Rambo III. Both targeted the Soviets, who at the time were trying to figure out how to get out of Afghanistan and look like winners. (The phased withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan began in 1988 and ended in 1989).

Rambo III was clearly the better film. It had a notably bigger budget, which meant bigger and more impressive explosions, better script and better cast. Unsurprisingly, however, it was as utterly unbelievable and loaded with moronic statements about freedom, democracy, honor and friendship as Red Scorpion. I don’t think this mattered much, though, since I don’t believe anyone expected Rambo III to deliver anything more than it did.

There are a couple of sequences in Red Scorpion where Lundgren handles his enemies as well as Stalone does his, but he tends to look a bit stiff in front of the camera. Thankfully, he does not talk much and takes his shirt off as often as possible.

The supporting cast isn’t any better - Walsh tries too hard to be the annoying American he is supposed to be, White never really looks like a freedom fighter, while Nthodi simply looks bored. The only guy who genuinely looks enthusiastic about his job is the skinny bushman who plays Gao.

Ultimately, Red Scorpion is a film that would appeal only to hardcore Lundgren fans or folks who saw it back in the days and for whatever reasons now feel nostalgic about it. The younger crowds, with blood type Avatar, will be bored to tears by it.

Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Joseph Zito's Red Scorpion arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Synapse Films.

The basics of this high-definition transfer appear practically identical to the ones of the high-definition transfer used for their Blu-ray release of Red Scorpion in the United Kingdom. Generally speaking detail and depth are quite nice, especially during close-ups. Most panoramic shots also convey pleasing fluidity. Light grain is visible throughout the entire film, though as it was the case with the Arrow release some extremely light noise is occasionally mixed with it. Color reproduction is adequate, and I don't see any major improvements to mention here (the back cover of this release notes that the Synapse Films used a new 2K High-Definition Digital Restoration). Compression also appears to be equally good. Lastly, there is at least one really tiny digital glitch on the transfer (it was pointed to me by one of our members), but I could not spot it during normal viewing. To sum it all up, this is pleasing presentation of Red Scorpion, which shold please its fans. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to view it on your PS3 or SA regardless or your geographical location).

Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For the record, Synapse Films have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

Synapse Films have included a 5.1 track which does open slightly more certain sequences throughout the film. A few of the shootouts, in particular, have decent movement in the surrounds. The overall dynamic movement remains rather limited, though the lossless track is not to be blamed for it. As I mentioned in our review of the UK release, more often than not it is quite obvious that Red Scorpion had a a fairly modest budget. The dialog is crisp, clean, and stable.

Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Hath No Fury: Dolph Lundgren and the Road to Red Scorpion - in this video interview, Dolph Lundgren recalls his transformation from an engineering student into actor, his first roles, his relationship with Grace Jones, the shooting and unique qualities of Red Scorpion, etc. In English, not subtitled. (25 min, 1080p).

• Assignment Africa - in this brand new video interview, producer Jack Abramoff discusses how he became involved with Red Scorpion, his initial impressions of Dolph Lundgren, some of the political controversy surrounding Red Scorpion before shooting of the film began, etc. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, 1080p).

• Scorpion Tales - in this video interview, special make-up effects creator Tom Savini recalls the unique special effects that were used in Red Scorpion as well as some of the logistical challenges that had to be overcome during the shooting of the film in Africa. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, 1080p).

• Original On-Set Behind the Scenes Footage From Tom Savini - raw footage provided by Tom Savini. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Motion Still Gallery - a collection of posters, cards, rare VHS covers, and other promo materials for Red Scorpion. Music only. (7 min, 1080p).

• Theatrical Trailer - original theatrical trailer for Red Scorpion. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• TV Spots - a collection of TV Spots for Red Scorpion. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 480/60i).

• Commentary - an audio commentary with director Joseph Zito and Nathaniel Thompson. There is an enormous amount of factual information pertaining to the production history of the film, the locations where the film was shot, its budget (the film was initially prepared to be Warner production), some of the political controversy surrounding the film, the specific designs for specific action scenes, the main characters, etc.

• Brochure - with linear notes on the making of Red Scorpion by Jeremie Damoiseau.

• Cover - reversible cover design.

Red Scorpion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Synapse Film's Blu-ray release of Red Scorpion was clearly made for fans of the film. If you are one of them, you should consider adding it to your collection. If you already have the UK Blu-ray release, take a look at the supplemental features and see if they are a good enough reason to consider getting this release as well. As far as the technical presentation is concerned, there does not appear to be any gap in quality between the two.