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RED HEAT (1988)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

"Red Heat" is an occasionally strangely funny and largely overdone "48 HRS." clone - a strictly action-oriented buddy-buddy comedy, back when that was common. It is a loud, overtly misogynistic and ugly picture where the villains are meaner than thou and the heroes are not much better. It is tempting to call it a noir action pic but the ugliness takes over and nearly negates the entire film. There are enough moments of pizazz and gunfire to satisfy action fans but overall it is too mean-spirited for my tastes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Russian cop, Ivan Danko, who is searching for a drug criminal, Viktor 'Rosta' (Ed O'Ross) from Georgia, Russia who has migrated to the United States, specifically Chicago. James Belushi is Ivan's cop partner, Ridzic, an obnoxious airhead of a detective who is subjected to a lot of ridicule from his police department and his boss (Peter Boyle, who enlivens every scene he is in). Their purpose: track down the Georgian drug dealer and extradite him to Russia. Easier said than done.

"Red Heat" is chock full of fairly grisly violence and sometimes it is dialed up to 111. When Ivan or Ridzic shoot one of the villains, they repeatedly open fire until someone just wants to say, "They are dead, guys! Two shots to the chest is enough!" (if memory serves during my 1988 screening). Women are treated as whores or play whores, and some of them die (Gina Gershon plays an unlucky girlfriend of Viktor). One androgynous male villain dresses up as a female nurse and how he is killed is more gratuitous than one can imagine. Not proof enough of misogyny? Consider the conversation that Ridzic has with his former brother-in-law over Ridzic's unseen sister not receiving alimony payments - it is enough to make most women blush. Do not get me wrong - I am not politically correct but this action picture has little regard for women in general. Most Schwarzenegger action flicks exist in a man's world.

"Red Heat" is serviceable action fare by director Walter Hill (who also helmed the incredible "48 HRS."). It is a well-made film sprinkled with touches of humor and Belushi is fun to watch, especially when busting criminals. Schwarzenegger holds his own with authority and poise and has a presence virtually unmatched in most other action pics of the 1980's (check out his first scene where he is only wearing a loincloth and fights in the snow). But the movie makes me feel indifferent and the ending is too abrupt and a pale echo of "48 HRS." climactic finish. Alternately haunting and moody and uneven (it has enough merits for me to keep my DVD copy), "Red Heat" is essential viewing fare for Schwarzenegger completists but you may want to take a shower after it is over.