Red Heat UHD review

Damn, that was one pretty neat artwork design. None of my VHS or DVD copies comes even close, they all look so "cheap" and dull, but that one you have posted above, almost makes me want to re-purchase it, again, just because of how good it looks.

"I do not want to touch his ass. I want to make him talk!"

I re-watched it for the first time in years, a few weeks earlier, and while surely not all up there among Conan The Barbarian (1982), The Terminator (1984) or Predator (1987), I think Walter Hill did a fine job with the whole east meet west theme, and by combining Arnold and a wisecracking Jim Belushi, to track down a brutal russian criminal, and the action is really good, hard hitting and at times unpredictable as well.

I think Ed O'Ross did a great job and a very convincing one as that of Viktor Rosta, who is maybe not as physical threatning as many other classic 80s Arnold Schwarzenegger bad guys or villains, but he is such a intense and ruthless figure, that will do whatever it takes to get going with his dirty business, even taking out his "own people" in the way.

Instead of just going for the more typical late 80s buddy-cop comedy and cheap slapstick jokes, I thougt the film did great by as I mentioned bringing along a more sharp edged style and characters, and I think it worked very well.
 

I enjoyed some of the stories Arnold told, I think during the behind the camera documentary from one of my old DVDs, and he really seemed to enjoy himself in Moscow, specially getting to know a bit more upclose of the people and how much of a cultural difference it was, between the east and the west, but all that was
kind of "balanced out" the moment he stepped into some gyms or night clubs, as, well, people just had fun and enjoying themselves, and were not that unsual from what went on in america, I guess.

I think the film ended up as a bit of a commercial "failure", in that many people did not take too kind to the whole east meets west theme, and I think it was Belushi who said something along the way, that the promoters did not really handle the topic very well, and it ended up hurting the film in many ways.

I guess that kind of sums up why it did not hit off better back then, as the audience were probably getting ready for yet another, (as you say) over-the-top Arnie action vehicle, but it was kind of more "laid back" and not so fast paced as his more typical action films of that time, such as Commando, The Running Man or Raw Deal.

Still, I think it was a pretty solid action film, no where near being a classic, but had almost a bit of a early Steven Seagal urban cop (during the 1988-1991 years) feel and tone to it. I guess "gritty" is a way of describing some of the scenery and characters, than the more "colorful" and laughable villains from the 80s era. 

Oh yeah, Gina always lightens up the scenery, even though she does not have the biggest part in this one.

Belushi I think even says in one of the "behind the movie" clips from one of my DVDs that his role was supposed to be the "typical" cocky and very loudmouthed Chicago street cop, and I guess for many it might have not sit down too well. But I enjoyed his chemistry with the far more "disciplined" and straight forward character to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One of the best and funniest scenes has to be during the whole interrogation scene, with the always realiable character actor Brion James as a sleazy lookin' pimp.

Always gets me cracking up when Ivan puts it so "gently":"Soviet method is more economical!" 

I rate it with a very kind score. And while it is not a great action film, I still sure enjoy to watch it every now and then. So, I think a 7,5/10 is pretty much where I tend to end up at the end of the day. 

Another hilarious scene, is when Ivan is parked outside, and some random scumbag suddenly tries to make his "move", only to end up taking a nice little "nap" on the sidewalk.

"He lives here"

"You look like Marvin Hagler to me …  I LOST MONEY ON HAGLER!"