Red Scorpion 2

Last updated
Red Scorpion 2
Red Scorpion 2 American VHS Cover 1994.jpeg
Official VHS cover
Directed by Michael Kennedy
Written byTroy Bolotnick
Barry Victor
Straw Weisman
Arne Olsen (characters)
Produced byRobert K. MacLean
Jack Abramoff
Robert Abramoff
Dale A. Andrews
George G. Braunstein
Mary Eilts
Michele White
Starring Matt McColm
John Savage
Jennifer Rubin
Edited byGary Zubeck
Music byGeorge Blondheim
Production
company
Abramoff Production
Distributed byHome Box Office (HBO) (USA TV)
MCA/Universal Home Video (USA USA VHS/laserdisc)
Release dates
May 1994 (France)
  • April 27, 1995 (1995-04-27)
(America)
Running time
95 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Canada
LanguageEnglish

Red Scorpion 2 is a 1994 American action film starring Matt McColm, John Savage and Jennifer Rubin. It was directed by Michael Kennedy. The film is a sequel to the 1988 film Red Scorpion which starred Dolph Lundgren, although the story is largely unrelated to the first installment.

Contents

Plot

Uneducated, disaffected white youths known as skinheads are attacking racial minorities in the US. A government agent investigating the incidents traces them to a wealthy, extreme right-wing, neo-Nazi businessman who is secretly bankrolling the skinheads to carry out his wishes, allowing him to keep his hands clean as he preaches a non-violent message to his wide following. [1] Nick Stone (McColm) is an agent with the National Security Agency who wants to retire after his last job going undercover as a weapons dealer resulted in the death of a fellow agent. He meets up with his boss Col. West to tell him about his retirement, but West offers him one last mission. To take down Andrew Kendrick (Savage), a charismatic and dangerous white supremacist and his Neo-Nazi militia group hellbent on taking over the United States with his sleeper cells. Nick often works alone but West tells him that he will be working with a team composed of Commander Sam Guinness (Rubin), Vince D'Angelo (Ben Paul-Victor), a womanizing computer expert from Hollywood, Billy Ryan (Michael Covert), a redneck sharpshooter, Joe Nakamura and Winston Mad Dog Powell, (Real Andrews), a disgraced Detroit cop. Forming an elite group of soldiers, each with their own set of skills, the group's first assignment is to infiltrate a warehouse owned by Kendrick which may be housing "The Spear of Destiny", an ancient spear used in the crucifixion of Jesus and believed by Kendrick to give him ultimate power in his goal. The team storm the warehouse. The team however don't work together despite constant orders from Commander Guinness which results in Nakamura's death and the spear not being recovered. Despite the failed mission, Col. West's boss Colonel Gregori proposes to take the team to his cabin in the pacific Northwest. Under his guidance and training, the team become better and Gregori names them The Red Scorpions.

A second infiltration is planned in which Winston enters one of Kendrick's gatherings and Ryan, who establishes himself there as a violent racist redneck from the south. Impressed, Kendrick offers Ryan a chance to work for him. Billy is taken to the group's own heavily guarded camp where Kendrick is training an army. However, after he sleeps with Kendrick's female assistant Donna (Kaiser), the game is up and Ryan gets thrown in a dungeon. Stone and Guinness then infiltrate the camp, who are about to launch a nationwide campaign of violent action unless they are stopped in time. The pair pose as a couple interested in investing within the group, however they are soon discovered, although they manage to successfully lead their team of high specialized assassins and technicians on the raid of the covert American hate group. Stone is later tortured by Hans (Kulich) who later fights him in a battle to the death. Guinness manages to kill Donna and help Winston and D'Angelo infiltrate the camp and in the chaos, the team take out the Neo-Nazi's. Kendrick dies when his lair where he planned to launch his sleepers explodes and he slowly burns to death. The team are then picked up by helicopter after killing Hans whom they viciously gun down. In the film's closing scene, D'Angelo, noticing that the pilot is female, compliments her on what lovely eyes she has. [2] [3]

Cast

Production

Development and writing

The film stars Matt McColm as Nick Stone, John Savage as Andrew Kendrick and Jennifer Rubin as Sam Guinness. Other cast members include Paul Ben-Victor as Vince D'Angelo, Michael Covert as Billy Ryan, Réal Andrews as Winston "Mad Dog" Powell, Duncan Fraser as Mr. Benjamin, George Touliatos as Gregori and Michael Ironside as Col. West. [4] Marc Singer was the original choice for the role of the film's nemesis Andrew Kendrick, whilst Gary Daniels and David Bradley were considered for the role of leading hero character Nick Stone.

The first version of the screenplay for this film was written by Dennis Hackin. A second different version, set in Malaysia, was written by Clay Walker (filmmaker) in 1990. Neither of these screenplays were used. [5] The version set in Malaysia was seemingly due to go ahead and in the New Straits Times of June 18, 1992, it was reported that the script was being written by Vigil and was scheduled to be shot in Europe in November. [6] In the same issue it had confusingly stated that McColm was "in Malaysia to promote his latest movie, Red Scorpion 2: The Spear of Destiny. In this movie, McColm takes the lead as Kurt Hawkins, a US Special Forces staff sergeant." [7]

The film had a working title of Red Scorpion 2: Spear of Destiny, which was used on the film's laser-disc release exclusively. [8] It was filmed in Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [9] The two producers Jack and Robert Abramoff of Abramoff Production, had written the original story of the first Red Scorpion film, whilst Jack Abramoff would also produce it. [10]

Release

Theatrical

The film first aired on the Home Box Office (HBO) network on April 27, 1995, before being distributed by MCA/Universal Home Video on VHS/laserdisc on February 6, 1996. [11] The film was released theatrically in Japan, India and Italy. [5] The film debuted in France during May 1994 at the Cannes Film Market, before being released within Japan, USA and South Korea respectively during 1995, and later in Italy during 1997. Like in the USA, the video release of the film in France was also in 1996. [8]

Home media

Red Scorpion 2 has never been released on DVD in America, but only on VHS and laserdisc. In the UK, the film was released on 1 October 1999 via Cinema Club on VHS. [12] Additionally, Cinema Club released a double feature, which consisted of both films Red Scorpion and Red Scorpion 2. [13] In 2005, a DVD version was released in Italy, under the title Missione Senza Nome, which translates to Mission Nameless. [14] In Canada, it was released in 2000 via Alliance Atlantis Video, in Greece during 1997 via New Star/Telefilm Hellas. [11] Although most VHS releases had similar artwork to one another, the laserdisc version featured completely different artwork. [15]

Reception

Critical response

Iotis Erlewine of Allmovie gave the film one out of five stars. [1]

In the 2004 book DVD & Video Guide 2005, published by Ballantine Books and written by Mick Martin and Marsha Porter, the authors stated "The action scenes are well-handled." [3] In the 2006 book VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever, published by and written by Jim Craddock, the author stated "Another "Dirty Dozen" rip-off finds your average ethnically mixed good guys brought together by a government agency to be heroic." [16]

Los Angeles Times staff writer Susan King spoke of the film, calling it a "glum thriller". [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colm Meaney</span> Irish actor

Colm J. Meaney is an Irish actor best known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999). He has guest-starred on many TV shows including Law & Order and The Simpsons, and starred as Thomas C. Durant on Hell on Wheels (2011–2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Abramoff</span> American Republican lobbyist and felon (born 1959)

Jack Allan Abramoff is an American lobbyist, businessman, film producer, writer, and convicted felon. He was at the center of an extensive corruption investigation led by Earl Devaney that resulted in his conviction and 21 other people either pleading guilty or being found guilty, including White House officials J. Steven Griles and David Safavian, U.S. Representative Bob Ney, and nine other lobbyists and congressional aides.

<i>Red Scorpion</i> 1989 film by Joseph Zito

Red Scorpion is a 1988 American action film starring Dolph Lundgren and directed by Joseph Zito. Lundgren appears as a Soviet special forces ("Spetsnaz") operative sent to assassinate an anti-communist rebel leader in Africa, only to side with the rebels. It was produced by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and controversially filmed in South West Africa with the support of the apartheid-era South African government. The film was released in the United States on April 21, 1989. It is the first installment in the Red Scorpion film series.

<i>No Escape</i> (1994 film) 1994 film by Martin Campbell

No Escape, released in some countries as Escape from Absolom and Absolom 2022, is a 1994 American science fiction action film directed by Martin Campbell. It stars Ray Liotta, Lance Henriksen, Stuart Wilson, Kevin Dillon, Michael Lerner and Ernie Hudson. It was based on the 1987 novel The Penal Colony by Richard Herley. In a dystopian future, a former Reconnaissance Marine serves life imprisonment on an island inhabited by savage and cannibalistic prisoners.

<i>Michael Jacksons Ghosts</i> 1996 short film

Michael Jackson's Ghosts is a 1996 short film starring Michael Jackson, directed by Stan Winston, and written by Stephen King and Mick Garris. It is based on a story by Garris, Jackson and King.

<i>The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving</i> 1995 American film

The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving is a 1995 direct-to-video animated adventure musical film directed by Roy Allen Smith. It is the second sequel to The Land Before Time and the third film in the film franchise.

<i>The Making of Star Wars</i> American TV series or program

The Making of Star Wars is a television special produced by 20th Century Fox, which aired on the ABC Television Network on September 16, 1977. It was written by Richard Schickel and directed and produced by Robert Guenette.

<i>A Show of Hands</i> (video) 1989 video by Rush

A Show of Hands is a concert film released on VHS, Laserdisc and DVD by the Canadian rock band Rush. It documents a live concert performance by the band on their 1987-88 Hold Your Fire Tour. In 1989, the band released an audio album of the same name on vinyl LP, audiocassette, and compact disc. The video comprises an entirely different recording, and features a different track list.

<i>Dink, the Little Dinosaur</i> American animated television series

Dink, the Little Dinosaur is an American animated series created by Karen Willson and Chris Weber, produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. The series originally aired as part of CBS's Saturday morning line-up from 1989 to 1990.

<i>Rush Replay X 3</i> 2006 box set by Rush

Rush Replay X 3 is a DVD box set of three separate filmed concert presentations by the Canadian band Rush, released on June 13, 2006. The three shows presented are Exit... Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure Tour, and A Show of Hands, which were originally released individually in 1982, 1985, and 1989 respectively on VHS and Laserdisc. For Replay X 3, each filmed concert has been remixed in 5.1 surround sound by Rush guitarist and co-producer Alex Lifeson. The box set also includes a previously unreleased CD audio version of the Grace Under Pressure Tour video, and a set of reprinted tour books for each concert.

Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1995), also titled Les Misérables in Concert, is a concert version of the 1980 musical Les Misérables, which was based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the West End production. It was filmed in October 1995 at the Royal Albert Hall and was shortly afterwards released on VHS in the United Kingdom in November by Video Collection International. The concert was released on DVD, VHS and LD in North America by Columbia TriStar Home Video in 1998, and re-released on DVD in North America in 2008. The latest DVD presents the concert in its original 16x9 ratio.

Matt McColm is an American actor and stuntman, and former model.

<i>Playmaker</i> (film) 1994 American film

Playmaker is a drama/mystery/thriller film starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Rubin, directed by Yuri Zeltser. The film was released in 1994.

<i>Stranger by Night</i> 1994 American film

Stranger by Night is a 1994 action film directed by Gregory Dark and starring Steven Bauer, Jennifer Rubin and William Katt. It was released on November 23, 1994.

The Little Lion Hunter is a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon released to theaters on October 7, 1939. This short was the first of a series of five films featuring the Inki and mynah bird characters.

<i>Saints and Sinners</i> (1994 film) 1994 American film

Saints and Sinners is a 1994 American crime drama film starring Damian Chapa, Jennifer Rubin, and Scott Plank. It was written, produced and directed by Paul Mones. The film's production company was MDP Worldwide.

Mortal Kombat is an American series of martial arts action films based on the fighting video game series of the same name by Midway Games. The first film was produced by Lawrence Kasanoff’s Threshold Entertainment.

<i>The Farmer</i> (film) 1977 film

The Farmer is a 1977 American crime action film directed by David Berlatsky and starring Gary Conway, Angel Tompkins, Michael Dante, and George Memmoli. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on March 9, 1977. The revenge thriller is probably best remembered for its lack of a home media release, as the film never had a release on VHS, Beta, Laserdisc, DVD, or any other release outside of theaters for years until a limited edition Blu-ray was released by Scorpion Releasing in early 2022.

The Protector is a 1997 American action film written by Jack Gill, Dee McLachlan, Stuart Beattie, and Andrea Buck, and directed by Gill. It stars Matt McColm as Kenneth James Conway, an ex-commando and a private detective investigating the disappearance of a virologist. Supporting cast includes Ron Perlman, John Rhys-Davies, and Carol Alt.

Subterfuge is a 1996 American action film written and co-produced by Marion Segal, and directed by Herb Freed. It stars Matt McColm as Jonathan Slade, an ex-military man who is given the task to retrieve the black box from a jetliner that crashed into the Black Sea. Supporting cast includes Richard Brake, Jason Gould, and Amanda Pays.

References

  1. 1 2 "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  2. ↑ "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  3. 1 2 Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2004). DVD & video guide 2005 - Mick Martin, Marsha Porter - Google Books. ISBN   9780345449955 . Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  4. ↑ "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  5. 1 2 "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  6. ↑ "New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search".
  7. ↑ "New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search".
  8. 1 2 "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  9. ↑ "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  10. ↑ "Red Scorpion (1988) - IMDb". IMDb .
  11. 1 2 "Red Scorpion 2 (1994) - IMDb". IMDb .
  12. ↑ Dolph Lundgren (2 August 1999). "Red Scorpion 2 [1994][VHS]: Michael Kennedy|Matt McColm|John Savage|Jennifer Rubin: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  13. ↑ "Red Scorpion + Red Scorpion 2 double feature: Dolph Ludgren, Matt McColm: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  14. ↑ "Missione Senza Nome - IMPORT: matt mccolm, michael ironside, michael kennedy: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  15. ↑ "Red Scorpion 2 (1994)". Comeuppance Reviews. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  16. ↑ Craddock, Jim (2006). VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever - Jim Craddock - Google Books. ISBN   9780787689803 . Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  17. ↑ "Videos to Help Mark Black History Month - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1996-02-02. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.