The Worst Film Ever

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Arnold Schwarzenegger doggedly whacks Russian monsters in this superb action cop duo flick! Though not the strongest of his 80's action bundle, Red Heat still offers a lot to enjoy and will appeal to Arnie fans and action movie fans alike. Arnie plays Russian cop Ivan Danko - pulling off a funny accent - as he travels to Chicago, U.S.A to retrieve Russian fugitive Viktor Rostavili (played by American actor Ed O'Ross - whom pulls off a really convincing accent), whom fled to the States following the murder of a fellow Cop associated with Danko. Rostavili is caught up in an illegal scheme of heroin to ship out to Russia. The plot of the movie revolves around the theme of revenge, as Danko is partnered by Chicago cop Art Ridzik (played proficiently by Jim Belushi), whom lost a friend and veteran cop to Rostavili's Russian mobsters. The chemistry between Danko and Ridzik is noteworthy and excellent. Belushi really nails his part as tough-mouthed Chicago wise-ass cop whom is witty and energetic to the point of having a great sense of character, and this fits perfectly with Schwarzenegger's Danko whom is unbeknownst of American slang and cockiness. As I stated not Schwarzenegger's 80's best but Red Heat is still a great action movie, giving Arnie the challenge of nailing a Russian pistol-bearing cop along with the dogged Belushi - and their on screen chemistry is nothing short of surprises.

The first 15 minutes of the movie occurs in Red Square in Moscow. Grim, Stone-faced, distant Moscow homicide cop Ivan Danko (Arnold Schwarzenegger) tries to apprehend Russian Georgian drug dealer Viktor Rostavili (Ed O'Ross) and his brother. Viktor escapes, but not before he shoots Danko's partner, Yuri. In turn, Viktor's brother is killed. Viktor escapes to Chicago, where he teams up with black thugs known as the Cleanheads. They are cocaine pushers. Danko is sent to Chicago where he teams up with vocal, wisecracking, plainclothes detective Art Ridzik (John Belushi) in order to track down Victor to extradite him. After he was captured and escorted by Danko and Ridzik, though, Viktor escaped when he was assisted by the Cleanheads, who were dressed like policemen. Ridzick's partner was killed in the mêlée. Thus the only plot of this action-thriller is to capture Viktor; there is neither mystery nor intrigue. There are, however, the obligatory shoot-outs and chase scenes. Note that neither Ridzick nor Danko believes in the Miranda Act. The ending involves a bus chase through the streets of Chicago at night, followed by a duel. This is the first movie in which an American director was allowed to film on location in Red Square. It was also filmed in Budapest and in Chicago.

No introduction needed here in regards to the story - at least there's quite a bit of humor to evenly match the brilliant action scenes, not many films are like this, and that makes one fact clear : it's a recipe for a very good script. This has to be one of my favorite 1980's Arnold Schwarzenegger films. As tough, stoic and uncompromising Captain Ivan Danko of the Moscow Police he is hunting a brutal Georgian drugs kingpin who has fled the Soviet Union and ended up in Chicago. Sent by his superiors to apprehend and discreetly return this elusive criminal to the Soviet Union Danko soon finds himself working with James Belushi's wise cracking 'slob-cop'. This violent thriller is very reminiscent of director Walter Hill's other male buddy action movie "48 Hours" as both protagonists defy police protocol in order to capture the man responsible for the death of their partners. The contrast between the chaotic capitalist excesses of Chicago and Danko's single minded Terminatoresque pursuit of his man forms the basis of much of the film's humour where Danko's pithy observations punctuate this entertaining action movie. And on to Belushi, who puts in his greatest performance, and steals the movie away from everyone else, and not many can do this with Schwarzenegger. Whenever Belushi is on screen, the film springs to life, and it turns from an average cop movie, to something a little bit more special.All of the above sounds pretty much the standard Hollywood cop story formula and that does not bode well but this movie wins on its execution and balance. It's very well edited with a constant but not overwhelming flow of action and a script that gives both Belushi and Schwarzenegger occasion to deliver moments of levity. Both leads are well cast and they do a good job together and you can believe not just in the characters but in the way that they rub along together. Despite the fact that parts of the movie were shot in Russia and Eastern Europe using local actors, the movie does not seem to move beyond a stereotyped view of the people and country. That is really just a small criticism though and the important thing is that this is one of the best buddy-cop movies around.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.

Moscow Police Captain Ivan Danko (Arnold Schwarzenegger) loses his partner while trying to take down drug lord Viktor Rosta. Viktor escapes to America. Later, he is captured in Chicago and Ivan arrives to extradite him. Viktor is out to avenge his brother killed by Ivan. Det. Sgt. Art Ridzik (James Belushi) is forced to partner with the Russian after Viktor escapes with the help of his crew.This Walter Hill film is a functional buddy cop movie. The comedy isn't that great. Arnie is a solid Russian but he's not that funny in this role. Belushi is a jokey loud-mouth. They are lots of old style gun action. This is nothing special although Arnie is pretty good as a robotic communist. I'm not sure that's a surprise.