I found this to be one of Dolph Lundgren's most accessible movies. Now, I know that isn't saying much, but this film actually has a far-reaching story with some real issues to comment upon. These may only be superficial, but they certainly give the film a more realistic edge over the usual action fare that Lundgren has found himself in in the past decade. 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. I'm just a sucker for nice scenery but this film makes good use of it at every opportunity. It also has a slightly higher budget than most action fodder, as judged by the ridiculously high number of explosions we witness at the film's conclusion. 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. M. Emmet Walsh plays an obnoxious reporter who spends almost the entire movie swearing or shouting at somebody, so it's impossible to warm to his character. On the other hand, T.P. McKenna's Soviet bad guy barely registers apart from his over-the-top accent. Brion James also pops up in a minor role as a Russian sadist (what else?) but is sorely underused; halfway through the film his character just disappears never to be heard of again! However, many of the local African actors are very good, especially the guy playing the native who is, quite simply, excellent. Incidentally, the sub plot in which Lundgren turns native and grows to appreciate life out in the desert is brilliant, and I wish it could have lasted longer than twenty minutes.

The action itself is mainly routine for most of the film and consists of the standard truck chases, shoot-outs, and occasional display of martial arts from Lundgren. However, at the very end this film turns into Rambo with Lundgren and his rebel pals taking on a Russian base and winning. Here, the death toll is high, and Lundgren beats up and knifes many a bad guy. In the sadistic highlight, he actually shoots the arm off a Cuban officer to prevent him throwing a grenade! Then everything blows up in a spectacular fashion that will leave you satisfied. While RED SCORPION is far from brilliant, it spins a believable and very different from the norm plot which had me interested throughout.

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. Black-and-white politics aside, the film delivers the standard '80s gung-ho action, with lots of big guns, a Russian gunship, and a tank ensuring destruction on a grand scale (with some flamethrower action in the uncut version). 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.

Russian agent named Nikolai (Dolph Lundgren) is a Spetsnaz , a perfect killer machine . The Soviet lieutenant journey to Africa where is the headquarter in which lives the Russian and Cuban militia (Carmen Argenziano , Brion James). He is assigned to infiltrate and to assassinate an adversarial anti-Communist black revolutionary named Sundate as leader of a rebel group who is assisted by Kallunda (Al White). Nikolai unexpectedly , commits a betrayal that enrages his Russian commandant as the General Vortez (T.P. McKenna),who orders his immediate punishment . In this case the nasty General is a genocide officer who uses his helicopter to cause mayhem and slaughter in minority communities. Making his getaway through the dangerous desert, Nikolai switches sides and join forces with the rebels, in the company of an American reporter (M. Emmet Walsh). Nikolai allies himself with a tribe of bushmen, and earning the nickname "Red Scorpion" . As Nikolai's new-found independence and switch allegiances with new friends . All of them , lead in his leadership of the rebels against his previous comrades .

This moving film contains thrills ,fiercy combats , tortures , lethal shootouts and lots of explosions and noisy action . From the beginning to the end the comic-book action-packed and extreme violence is continued and it's fast movement ; for that reason the picture is pretty entertaining , though contains some perfunctory scenes . Passable performance of Sweden Dolph Lundgren as Soviet agent par excellence trained in deep undercover job and finds himself drawn to the guerrillas' riot . 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. It provides some interesting background on Dolph Lundgren 's rocky relationship with communism and switching allies with spectacular final climax storming their headquarters in a no-quarter , deadly showdown . 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. Catching musical score by Jay Chattaway and regular cinematography by cameraman Joao Fernandez , both of whom worked in the trilogy ¨Braddock's Missing in action ¨ who bears certain resemblance in some qualities to ¨Red Scorpion¨. The motion picture produced in average budget is professionally directed by Joseph Zito (Invasion USA, 13th Friday final chapter, Missing in action , The prowler). Rating : Acceptable, passable and amusing but violent . Although the movie has some aspects a little tough to take , this thrilling film still has its nice moments getting a bemusing atmosphere with agreeable results , furthermore grossed moderated success at the box office .