Red Heat is a classic 80s action movie. Big budget, lot’s of action and clever quips that the viewer can only understand if they had experienced the politics, economics and world situation of the times. This film stars two actors who are big names on their own and who are caste together because of their individual success.
The 80’s theme is different. We have an 80’s song or two, an excellent aerobic workout scene, and some colorful but cheap rayon clothing. The primary 80’s theme is the tension between the US and USSR; kind of like Rocky IV. It plays well into the storyline of Soviet vs. Chicago style police work (take your choice, beatings or bribery).
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action star whose movies I have always happily anticipated. He had already performed well in Conan, Running Man, Predator, Raw Deal, Commando and Terminator and his career was just getting started (come back for totally awesome reviews of those gnarly movies). When I saw a movie trailer with an upcoming Schwarzenegger movie, I lined up as soon as the movie arrived. I was always sure to rent the VHS tape as soon as that was available.
The same can be said of James Belushi (The Man With One Red Shoe and The Principle. He quickly moved from the shadow of brother John to a great performer in his own right. His character as Detective Sergeant Art Ridzik, a tough, wise cracking Chicago cop provided the comic relief.
For example, during the famous bus chase scene, Ridzik exclaims “where are all the cops. …never there when you need them. Make one U-turn and they are all over your….”
Ed O’Ross, a theater performer played vengeful crime lord Victor “Rosta” Rostavili. This bottom dwelling criminal was responsible for a rap sheet as long as the trip from Moscow to Chicago. Primarily, he smuggled drugs to Moscow, killed a Moscow police officer and escaped to America.
Captain Ivan Danko (Schwarzenegger) is the Moscow cop vowing revenge. His superiors send him to Chicago to bring back Rosta and make him pay for his crimes. However, there is a slight problem, Rosta has already set up operations in Chicago and has unfortunately killed a Chicago cop right as Danko arrives. Now, Chicago wants Rosta just as bad.
Danko is a man of few words, kind of like Schwarzenegger’s performance in Terminator. His unrelenting pursuit is interrupted by the jurisdiction struggle with Ridzik. However, they don’t fight, scream, yell or insult each other. It’s more of a passive aggressive relationship overcome by an elephant in the room. They eventually warm up to each other after a small argument where Ridzik finally exclaims, “I give up, the whole thing is very Russian.”
And it was. The Cold War was still going on as awesome as ever. We never trusted the Soviet Union and believed that everyone was a spy and bent on the destruction of the American way of life. So, Danko and Rosta played very stereotypical and believable characters for the times. That’s what made to move so awesome.
Other actors include Lawrence Fishburn (credited as Larry Fishburn), Gina Gershon (3:15, Pretty in Pink, and Cocktail) and Peter Boyl of Everybody Loves Raymond.
The violence and gore get progressively worse as the move matures. Fight scenes and shootouts are not very bloody in the first half. As the movie progresses, squibs are introduced and blood flies with the bullets. Stunts are great as cars crash, buses roll, and the bus v. train keeps the movie rolling quickly and the heart pumping suspense up. Danko and Rosta look like ground beef at the end of the bus chase and the future Govenator gets to punch out a bus windshield. Awesome!
The Bonus Features make this a Special Edition.
The movie trailers and TV spots will give a glimpse into the past. It’s what Red Heat marketing looked like back in the day and features the gruff voice of the famous movie announcer who now helps you save money with Geico.
I’m not Russian, but I play one on TV demonstrates the type casting that O’Ross endured as a result of his amazing portrayal of a Russian crime boss.
Don’t forget to watch the tribute to legendary stunt man Bennie E. Dobbins and The Making of…
Bad language and nudity gives this movie a mature theme.
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