Red Heat: Arnold Schwarzenegger's Soviet-American Buddy Cop Adventure
The 1980s were a golden age for buddy cop movies, with iconic films like Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop dominating the genre. Director Walter Hill, known for his work on 48 Hrs., decided to put a new spin on the formula by pairing a Soviet cop with an American counterpart in his film Red Heat.
Hill, a talented screenwriter as well as a director, approached Arnold Schwarzenegger with the concept for Red Heat, which featured a Soviet hero who doesn't defect and some intense action scenes, including one where Schwarzenegger's character uncovers cocaine hidden in a henchman's leg. The film aimed to showcase a more grounded version of Schwarzenegger's persona compared to his other action roles.
Red Heat follows the story of Danko, the Soviet cop played by Schwarzenegger, and his American partner Ridzik, portrayed by James Belushi. The film's script, worked on by multiple writers, including Hill and Troy Kennedy Martin, resulted in a movie that felt disjointed, lacking in both big laughs and big action moments.
Despite its unevenness, Red Heat remains a watchable film with standout performances from Ed O’Ross as the villain Rosta and a strong supporting cast that includes Peter Boyle, Gina Gershon, and Laurence Fishburne. The historical significance of the film, set against the backdrop of the Cold War's end, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
While Red Heat didn't achieve the same box office success as some of Schwarzenegger's other films, it still holds a place in the actor's filmography and is worth a watch for fans of the genre. The movie's unique take on the buddy cop formula and the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Belushi make it a compelling entry in the action genre.