Red Heat

(Walter Hill, USA, 1988)

Somewhere inside this by-the-numbers action-thriller is an interesting idea (probably contributed by Troy Kennedy Martin of Edge of Darkness fame) concerning the criminal underworld's relation to religious and political anarchy – but don't yawn, or you'll miss it.

The plot concentrates on the tired formula of rigid Russian cop (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his unbelievably uncouth American counterpart (James Belushi), mutually kicking ass and swapping a few humorous intercultural misunderstandings.

Still, few directors can choreograph colliding, exploding buses with half as much flair as Walter Hill.

MORE Hill: Extreme Prejudice, Geronimo, Trespass

MORE T.K. Martin: Red Dust

© Adrian Martin July 1992