Red Scorpion poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Dolph Lundgren, M. Emmet Walsh, Al White, T.P. McKenna, Carmen Argenziano ... see more see more... , Alex Colon , Brion James , Regopstaan , Charles Comyn , Anthony Fridjhon , Drummond Marais , Tullio Moneta , James Mthoba , Ruben Nthodi , Nicky Rebelo , Patrick Shai , Greg Latter , Graham Clarke , Thapelo Mofokeng , Ernest Ndlovu , Rob Smith , Carmen Argenaiano

Dolph Lundgren stars in this controversial action film directed by Joseph Zito (Missing in Action). The beefy Swede plays Soviet KGB agent Lt. Nikolai, who is sent to Africa with orders to eliminate a... read more read more... black rebel. Eventually, Nikolai begins to side with the locals, has a red scorpion tattooed on his chest by a shaman, and helps fight against the Cubans and the Soviets. Horror fans should note Tom Savini's expert gore effects during a torture scene, while others will be pleased with a fine supporting cast including M. Emmet Walsh, Carmen Argenziano, and Brion James. The film was originally commissioned by Warner Bros., which dropped it after controversy over its South African genesis, but they might as well have dropped it for its endless desert treks and uninvolving screenplay. An unrelated Canadian sequel followed five years later. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Flixster Users

36% liked it

7,323 ratings

Critics

11% liked it

9 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Joseph Zito

Release Date: January 1, 1989

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 13, 1998

Stats: 218 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Red Scorpion Red Scorpion Red Scorpion Red Scorpion
Upload a Photo | View All Red Scorpion Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (218)

  • MidnightMadwoman
    September 27, 2010
    MidnightMadwoman
    Oh my god, you guys, this movie is great. Okay, maybe the movie itself isn't super-fantastic, but it turns out that watching a schlocky film in the middle of the night and getting to wolfwhistle at the screen like a construction worker is my idea of a good time. We watched a prin... read moret that was in such bad shape that it actually caught in the projector - it was the first time I had ever seen a real film burn. I feel like I passed some sort of milestone. I'm not usually a fan of action movies, and this one is largely indistinguishable from most of the others that came out in the 80s. An enormous scary dude goes into a bad situation and solves problems by wrecking stuff, kicking peoples' asses and generally blowing shit up. I really liked this one because Lundgren was so damn pretty back in his heyday. Like catnip. Like Kryptonite. He's a good six inches taller than any other actor in this film, and he's got at least two feet of circumference on them as well. I'd like to make a calendar out of screenshots of this movie. There was a little spattering of humor thorughout it, and the action scenes were well-choreographed and rendered. Pure delicious popcorn cinema at its finest. And totally improved by the screweing-up projector, the missing scene and the myriad imperfections in the print.
  • EightThirty
    August 26, 2007
    EightThirty
    I saw this when I was small...It was cool at the time
    : )
  • rageofsadako2008
    February 22, 2009
    rageofsadako2008
    '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' c... read morean 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 rescore.
    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 shitload 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.'

View All Red Scorpion Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
January 14, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

A dull, below-average action pic, lensed in Swaziland. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

The movie's reflective moments belong to Mr. Lundgren's sweaty chest. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Beware of its stink. Full Review

January 14, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film offers little that hasn't been seen in countless others of its ilk. Full Review

Kevin A. Ranson
March 7, 2004
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com

Long live Dolph...!

Alex Sandell
August 12, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Dolph's probably still wondering why his star's no longer shining.

Emanuel Levy
June 29, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
February 8, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Johnny Mnemonic
    Johnny Mnemonic (60%)
  • Fighter Pilot - Operation Red Flag
    Fighter Pilot - Operation Red Flag (100%)
  • Body Parts
    Body Parts (80%)
  • The Mechanik (The Russian Specialist)
    The Mechanik (The Russian Specialist) (100%)

More Movies like Red Scorpion

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Red Scorpion : Watch Free on TV

Red Scorpion Trivia

  • The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, Red Scorpion 2, Constantine have this in common ...  Answer »
More Red Scorpion Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Red Scorpion. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Red Scorpion to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?