Movie Review: Red Heat (1988) an Action-Comedy Movie

It seems that only few bloggers in this platform writing about "old school" movies... let's say movies from 80-90's era. I guess most of the bloggers here are much younger than me, then... haha. It's OK. In fact, it's just like an opportunity for me to write something "classical" from previous era. How do I define 'classical'? Uh, stop it. I don't want to argue about that. Just sit, relax, and enjoy the show... no, I mean enjoy the review... haha. OK, here we go. 

Red Heat is an action-comedy movie starred by Arnold Schwarzenegger (as a Soviet policeman Ivan Danko), James Belushi (as a Chicago police detective Art Ridzik), and Ed O'Ross (as a Georgian drug kingpin Viktor Rostavili). This movie was released in 1988 and directed by Walter Hill, a well-known director for his action movies. Not only directed the movie, Walter Hill also wrote the screenplay, along with Harry Kleiner and Troy Kennedy Martin. He also produced this movie along with two other producers: Gordon Caroll and Mario Kassar. Just a small additional info: Arnold was paid USD 8 million to act in this movie. Wow...

This movie is about to capture a Georgian drug dealer who escaped to US. In Chicago, Ivan Danko got helped from local police to apprehend the drug dealer. It wasn't as easy as it might have seen. During the process of apprehending him to Soviet police, the drug dealer's men attack the policemen to free their boss, Viktor Rostavili. They succeeded. So, Ivan Danko was then forced to stay longer in Chicago to investigate the case more. Of course, he was accompanied by local police Art Ridzik (played by Belushi). Belushi was known as a comedy-styled actor, but also frequently play in some action movies.

What makes this movie interesting? Well, firstly it was shot in Eastern Europe ((maybe few in Soviet) which was very rare for American movie-makers making movie there back then. Secondly, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a "hot" action movie star in 80's. This movie is just like another "landmark" of his action movie style for his fans. Thirdly, James Belushi. He is good playing as Chicago cop in this movie. With his sense of humor, this movie becomes more fun and interesting. Some of his dialogues in this movie are really funny and cool-down the action tension of this movie. 

OK, as you might have noted, this is only an entertaining action movie. Maybe not for those who like more "serious" movie... haha. No movie is perfect. The same goes to movie fans and critics. Just enjoy every movie we like, right? If we like more "serious" or dramatic movie... it's OK. Let's not criticize movie that's basically not our favorite and then say the movie is bad. I think it's not fair. Every movie has its own fans based. So do actors and directors. Anyway, this movie is also starred by Peter Boyle (as Chicago police commander Lou Donnelly), Larry Fishburne (as Chicago police Lieutenant Charlie Stobbs), and Gina Gerson (as Catherine Manzetti). This movie was considered success, even got 3 stars (out of 4) from local media, Chicago Sun-Times.