Red Heat (1988) TriStar/Action-Comedy RT: 106 minutes Rated R (language, strong violence, nudity, drugs) Director: Walter Hill Screenplay: Walter Hill, Harry Kleiner and Troy Kennedy Martin Music: James Horner Cinematography: Matthew F. Leonetti Release date: June 17, 1988 (US) Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Belushi, Peter Boyle, Ed O’Ross, Laurence Fishburne, Gina Gershon, Richard Bright, J.W. Smith, Brent Jennings, Gretchen Palmer, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Michael Hagerty, Brion James, Gloria Delaney, Peter Jason, Sven-Ole Thorsen. Box Office: $34.9M (US)
Rating: ***
Although it can be argued that Red Heat qualifies as an action-comedy, the emphasis is most definitely on the action is this mismatched partner movie that pairs a loudmouth Chicago cop with a serious-minded cop from Russia. They’re played by James Belushi (The Principal) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Predator) respectively. Movies like this either work or they don’t. It’s a tricky formula. Fortunately, the guy sitting in the director’s chair is a pro at this type of material. It’s Walter Hill who propelled Eddie Murphy to stardom when he paired him with Nick Nolte in 48 Hrs; undoubtedly, one of the finest action-comedies of the 80s. Red Heat doesn’t quite reach the same level, but it’s still damn good.
Schwarzenegger stars as Captain Ivan Danko of the Moscow Militia who’s looking to take down the Georgian drug lord, Viktor Rosta (O’Ross, Lethal Weapon), who killed his partner and fled to the US. He’s arrested on a minor charge in Chicago while making arrangements to buy a large quantity of heroin from a drug gang and ship it to the Soviet Union. Danko, under strict orders from his superiors not to reveal the details of Rosta’s crimes in Russia to the Americans, is sent to bring him home.
He’s met at the airport by Ridzik (Belushi) and it isn’t exactly like at first sight. You know how it goes. Danko takes his job seriously (too seriously); Ridzik doesn’t. Ridzik talks a lot while Danko prefers to remain silent. Ridzik makes snide remarks about Russians; Danko regards him with silent contempt. Friendships have been built on less in movies like this.
During the custody transfer, the gang shows up in disguise and helps Rosta escape, killing Ridzik’s partner (Bright, The Godfather) in the process. Although it goes against police procedure, Ridzik’s boss (Boyle, Young Frankenstein) allows him to work the case with Danko. Just because the two cops don’t like each other doesn’t mean they can’t work together. They both want to find Rosta and make him pay for killing their partners.
Danko is not your typical Schwarzenegger role and I’m not just talking about his questionable Russian accent. The Ah-nuld persona fans are used to seeing gives way to something more realistic. He doesn’t overturn cars or throw people around in this one. He doesn’t get off any of trademark lines (“I’ll be back.”) either. He plays it completely straight as a loyal Soviet reacting to various aspects of life in the West. Therein lies the humor in Red Heat. When Ridzik explains Miranda rights to him, he doesn’t get it. Why question a lying dirtbag when it’s more expedient to beat information out of him? When Ridzik makes a reference to Dirty Harry, Danko has no idea who that is. When Danko accidentally turns on a porn channel in his hotel room, he looks at it for a moment and remarks “Capitalism.” Wearing a suit that should have “Undercover Cop” emblazoned on it in big flashing neon letters, nothing seems to faze him as he hunts for Rosta. If it does, he’s not letting on.
Belushi is also good as the reluctant partner frequently frustrated and flabbergasted by Danko and his serious approach to police work. He’s the kind of cop who takes time out from the investigation to harass his sister’s ex-husband about late alimony payments. If Schwarzenegger is the straight man in this act, Belushi is the comic sidekick. He’s that rare comic actor who can also do drama effectively. Check him out in Thief and Salvador. He’s good when he’s not pissing away his talent on dreck like Once Upon a Crime and Destiny Turns On the Radio.
What’s even better about Red Heat is that the lead actors have real chemistry between them. They talk rather than exchange one-liners. Even so, their conversation crackles with humor over Ridzik’s growing exasperation over Danko’s failure to comprehend American ways. They might not have the magic of Murphy and Nolte, but they work very well together.
Boyle is very good in the thankless role of the ill-tempered chief trying to avoid bypass surgery with all sorts of stress-relieving techniques he knows are BS. It’s the only thing about him that isn’t a cliché. The rest of the time he does the usual things temperamental COs do like lecture Ridzik on following departmental procedure except when otherwise directed. Laurence Fishburne (Boyz n the Hood) plays an uptight, by-the-book lieutenant who clearly doesn’t like Ridzik. Every renegade cop movie needs a character like that. Gina Gershon (Showgirls) shows up as a dance instructor who might be able to help the guys find Rosta. The beautiful witness, another piece of the puzzle.
Hill has a gift for directing cool action sequences; he doesn’t disappoint with Red Heat. The best is the climactic chase scene involving the partners, Rosta and two stolen buses. Although bigger isn’t always better, it is in this case. It’s an awesome sequence. Hill doesn’t skimp on the violence either. There are shootings and beatings aplenty.
Obviously, Red Heat is totally dated. It was made while Russia was still a Communist country whose populace lived a separate life behind the Iron Curtain. It now feels like a relic from a time long ago. I could go on about politics then and now, glasnost and current relations between the US and Russia, but to what end? I’m writing a movie review NOT an editorial. All political matters aside, Red Heat is an effective action movie with a fair dose of humor. It’s routine and predictable, but it’s also fun. Isn’t that the only thing that matters in the end?
