Red Scorpion 2

{{Short description|1994 film directed by Michael Kennedy}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Red Scorpion 2 | image = Red Scorpion 2 American VHS Cover 1994.jpeg | caption = Promotional release poster | director = Michael Kennedy | producer = Robert K. MacLean Jack Abramoff Robert Abramoff Dale A. Andrews George G. Braunstein Mary Eilts Michele White | writer = Troy Bolotnick Barry Victor Straw Weisman Arne Olsen (characters) | starring = Matt McColm John Savage Jennifer Rubin Michael Ironside | editing = Gary Zubeck | music = George Blondheim | studio = August Entertainment Northwood Pictures Western International Communications | distributor = Malofilm Video (Canada) MCA/Universal Home Video (U.S.) | country = Canada United States | language = English | runtime = 95 minutes | released = {{Film date|1995|04|27}} (U.S.) }} '''''Red Scorpion 2''''' is a 1994 Canadian–American action film directed by Michael Kennedy, starring Matt McColm, John Savage, Jennifer Rubin and Michael Ironside. The film is a sequel to the 1988 film ''Red Scorpion'', and is the second installment in the ''Red Scorpion'' film series, although the cast is different and the story largely unrelated. It pits a ragtag commando unit against a neo-Nazi group, whose leader believes that the legendary Spear of Destiny can seal his ascent to power.<ref name="all-main">{{cite web | url =https://www.allmovie.com/movie/red-scorpion-2-v134230 | title =Red Scorpion 2 (1995) |last1=Gusse |first1=Brian | website =allmovie.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213184435/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/red-scorpion-2-v134230 |archive-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref>

==Plot== Disenfranchised white youths known as skinheads are attacking racial minorities in the U.S. A government investigator traces them to a wealthy neo-Nazi businessman, Andrew Kendrick, who is secretly bankrolling the attacks, while preaching a non-violent message to his wider following. Nick Stone is an agent with the National Security Agency who wants to retire after his last undercover job resulted in the death of a fellow agent. His boss Col. West convinces him to take on one last mission: take down Kendrick. Nick is assigned a team composed of Commander Sam Guinness, Vince D'Angelo, a womanizing computer expert from Hollywood, Billy Ryan, a redneck sharpshooter, Joe Nakamura and Winston "Mad Dog" Powell, a disgraced Detroit cop.

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. The team does not show the requite, resulting in Nakamura's death and failure to recover the spear. West's boss, Colonel Gregori, takes the team on a bonding trip to his cabin in the pacific Northwest. Satisfied with their progress, Gregori names them the "Red Scorpions".

A second infiltration of Kendrick's network is attempted: Ryan poses as a racist southerner to ingratiate himself to Kendrick, and gets invited to the latter's training camp. However, after he sleeps with Kendrick's female assistant Donna, the game is up and Ryan gets thrown in a dungeon. Stone and Guinness pose as potential benefactors to rejoin Ryan inside the enemy compound. They are soon discovered, but they manage to get the rest of the Red Scorpions inside for the final assault, during which Kendrick, Donna and their key personnel find their demise.

==Cast== {{cast listing| * Matt McColm as Nick Stone * John Savage as Andrew Kendrick * Jennifer Rubin as Sam Guinness * 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 * Michael Ironside as Colonel West * Vladimir Kulich as Hans * Suki Kaiser as Donna * Jerry Wasserman as Steinberg * Tong Lung as Joe * Anthony Stamboulieh as Abdu * Samantha Schubert as Renee * Wren Roberts as Club Attack Leader }}

==Production== ===Development and writing=== After the first film did well in international markets, its producer Jack Abramoff was approached by Gregory Cascante of August Entertainment with an offer to partner on a sequel. Abramoff started prospecting in various countries, including Malaysia, to find the best financing opportunities for future productions.<ref name="ja-cap">{{cite book |last1=Abramoff |first1=Jack |date=2011 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781936488445/page/56/mode/2up |title=Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist |location=Washington |publisher=WND Books |pages=55–57 |isbn=9781936488445}}</ref> Director Joseph Zito was briefly in talks to return when the project was at an informal stage, but quickly moved on.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.bulletproofaction.com/2019/11/05/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-red-scorpion/ | title =10 Things You Didn't Know About Red Scorpion | author=Chris The Brain | date =November 5, 2019 | website =bulletproofaction.com | access-date =April 28, 2024}}</ref> Still hoping to entice Lundgren to return, the producers commissioned three iterations of a story featuring his character from the original, Nikolai. The first was written by Dennis Hackin. The second, which introduced a Malaysian setting, was authored by Clay Walker. A third one by Malcolm Mowbray re-used elements of previous drafts.<ref name="ultdolph-26oct15">{{cite web | url =https://www.mosquito.net/dolphforum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2177 | title =Red Scorpion 2 (1990) (not produced with Dolph) | author=Damoiseau, Jérémie (Jox) | date =October 26, 2015 | work =Utimate Dolph – The Message Board | access-date =April 2, 2023}}</ref>

In 1992, the project was repackaged as a pair of movies starring a new leading man, former stuntman Matt McColm.<ref name="nst-19jun92">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19920619&id=6llPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4501,3806262|author= |title=Movie-type who shuns partying|date=June 19, 1992 |publisher=New Straits Times |location=Kuala Lumpur |page=3 (City Extra) |access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> The first, ''An Act of Courage'', would be shot in Malaysia starting in August or September of that year, by newcomer writer/director William Vigil.<ref name="nst-19jun92"/> Local company UA Entertainment would help come up with a hefty $20–25 million budget.<ref name="nst-25jun92">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1295&dat=19920625&id=LsBUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6732,1846413|last=Lim |first=Elaine |title=Giant leap to stardom |date=June 25, 1992 |publisher=New Strait Times|location=Kuala Lumpur |page=26|access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> McColm was to play a martial arts star captured by child fans who want him to defend their village against drug traffickers.<ref name="nst-25jun92"/><ref name="nst-18jun92">{{cite news |author= |date=June 18, 1992 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6VlPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JZADAAAAIBAJ&pg=3008,2999607 |title=Producer sees potential in movies featuring Malaysia |newspaper=New Straits Times |location=Singapore |pages=F-12}}</ref> Miss Malaysia 1991, Samantha Schubert, was hired as McColm's love interest.<ref name="nst-25jun92"/> Kuala Lumpur, Tioman Island and Taman Negara National Park were considered as locations. A further Malaysian production, ''False Profit'', was a possibility in the future, as was a collaboration with Michelle Yeoh.<ref name="nst-19jun92"/><ref name="nst-18jun92"/>

Meanwhile, the original film was rebooted as ''Red Scorpion 2: The Spear of Destiny'', to begin filming in Germany in November 1992, under producer Lance Hool and director Michael Schroeder.<ref name="nst-19jun92"/><ref name="var-11may92">{{cite magazine |author= |date=May 11, 1992 |title=''Red Scorpion 2: The Spear of Destiny'' Cannes Film Market advertisement |url= |magazine=Variety |location=New York |publisher=Cahners Publishing |page=39}}</ref> To fit the European setting, Abramoff crafted a new pitch based on the fabled artefact, which was turned into a screenplay by Vigil.<ref name="ja-cap"/><ref name="nst-18jun92"/><ref name="var-11may92"/> McColm's character was then a U.S. Army Special Forces staff sergeant named Kurt Hawkins.<ref name="nst-18jun92ex">{{cite news |last=Teoh |first=Mei Mei |date=June 18, 1992 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6VlPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JZADAAAAIBAJ&pg=3068,3345237 |title=Hollywood stuntman in town for movie |newspaper=New Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=12 (City Extra)}}</ref> However, the announced dates came and went without either film getting made. After sorting out some copyright issues and more rewrites, ''Red Scorpion 2'' finally went into production in Canada, where Cascante had professional connections and tax breaks were enticing. Shubert was brought onto the film, albeit in a minor role.<ref name="ja-cap"/><ref name="ultdolph-26oct15"/>

===Filming=== Photography was originally slated to begin on October 12, 1993,<ref>{{cite news |last=McNamara |first=Lynne |date=September 17, 1993 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/503029006/ |title=Preview: Arachnophobia |newspaper=The Province |location=Vancouver |page=B2 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> but effectively began on October 18 and concluded on November 23.<ref name="tcm">{{cite web | url =https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/476725/red-scorpion-2#notes | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20250112234707/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/476725/red-scorpion-2#notes | url-status =dead | archive-date =January 12, 2025 | title =Miscellaneous Notes – Red Scorpion 2 | author= | website=Turner Classic Movies | access-date =March 14, 2024}}</ref> According to ''The Hollywood Reporter'', the movie benefited from an US$8 million budget.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=December 31, 1993 |title =Entertainment Briefs |url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/774409069/ |newspaper=The Commercial Appeal |location=Memphis |agency=The Hollywood Reporter |page=C5 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> It was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as surrounding areas such as Britannia Bay, where the SS ''Prince George'' was moored, and the Capilano River Regional Park.<ref>{{cite book |last=MacIntyre |first=Ken |date=1996 | url=https://archive.org/details/reelvancouverins0000maci/page/106/mode/2up | title=Reel Vancouver: An Insider's Guide | chapter= |location=Vancouver; Toronto |publisher=Whitecap Books |pages=44– |isbn=9781551105062}}</ref> Some interiors were shot at a studio set up inside an old brewery at Vine and 12th, which at the time of filming was operated by Spelling Canada.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNamara |first=Lynne |date=December 3, 1993 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/503038584 |title=Preview: How's our Spelling? |newspaper=The Province |location=Vancouver |page=B2 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> Post-production extended into spring 1994 and took place in Los Angeles, with Canadian producer Robert K. MacLean relocating there to oversee it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Michael D. |date=April 23, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/508186065/ | title=Here's Digger |newspaper=Times-Colonist | location=Victoria |agency=Canadian Press |page=E1–E2 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref>

==Music== ===Soundtrack=== The film's soundtrack was supervised by the film music division of S.L. Feldman and Associates, a leading booking agency in Canada.<ref name=bill->{{cite magazine |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Larry |date=May 2, 1998 |title=TV, Film Score Field Still In Early Years |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |magazine=Billboard Magazine |location=New York |publisher=Billboard Music Group |page=60 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Up and coming Canadian rock band Junkhouse, who had just released their first album through Sony Music, were cast as the house band of the fictional Los Angeles nightclub.<ref>{{cite news |last=Howell |first=David |date=April 5, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/475560625/ | title=Junkhouse revels in its dirty, earthy sound |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |page=E10 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref>

==Release== ===Pre-release=== The film was screened for industry professionals at the Cannes Film Market on May 17, 1994.<ref name="var-rev">{{cite web | url =https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/red-scorpion-2-1200436953/ | title =Red Scorpion 2 |last1=Stratton | first1=David | date =May 30, 1994 | work =Variety | access-date =April 2, 2023}}</ref>

===Theatrical=== The film was released theatrically in some international markets. In Japan, where it premiered on February 4, 1995, through Victor Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.kinenote.com/main/public/cinema/detail.aspx?cinema_id=10965 | title =レッド・スコルピオン２ | author= | website =kinenote.com | language =ja | access-date =May 18, 2024}}</ref> In South Korea, it premiered in August 26, 1995.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=12393 | title =레드 스콜피온 2 | author= | website =cine21.com | language =ko | access-date =May 18, 2024}}</ref>

===Television=== In the U.S., the film premiered on premium cable channel HBO on April 27, 1995. It was billed as an "HBO World Premiere", although the term was merely a marketing gimmick employed by the broadcaster, and the film had already been seen in other markets, such as the U.K. (''see below'').<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=April 22, 1995 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/985791072/ |title=Movies |newspaper=Florence Morning News/TV Week |page=17 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=April 1995 |title=Thursday Night Prime |url=https://archive.org/details/hboguide-199504/page/n1/mode/2up |magazine=HBO Guide |location=New York |publisher=Home Box Office |pages=5}}</ref>

===Home media=== ''Red Scorpion 2'' arrived on Canadian and U.S. VHS on February 6, 1996.<ref name="tcm"/><ref>{{cite news |author= |date=January 3, 1996 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1012212518/ |title=Looking forward to a good movie? |newspaper=The Spectator | location=Hamilton |pages=D4 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> In Canada, the film was distributed by Norstar Entertainment, through an output deal with Malofilm Video.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://playbackonline.ca/1994/08/01/3663-19940801/ | title =Malofilm inks deal | author= | date =August 1, 1994 | work =Playback | access-date =April 2, 2023}}</ref> In the U.S., the film was distributed by Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment through an output deal with MCA/Universal Home Video.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://vhscollector.com/movie/red-scorpion-2-0 | title = Red Scorpion 2 82606 – MCA Universal Home Video | author= | website =vhscollector.com | access-date =April 28, 2024}}</ref> MCA/Universal also issued it on LaserDisc on February 13, 1996.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/06872/42606/Red-Scorpion-2 | title =Red Scorpion 2 (1994) [42606] | author= | work =LaserDisc Database | access-date =April 28, 2024}}</ref> The film's North American release was preceded by its bow in the U.K., where the tape was distributed by First Independent on November 21, 1994.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=November 7, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/901737098 | title=Video |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo | location=Lincoln |page=5 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> There is no domestic DVD release on record.

==Reception== ===Critical response=== ''Red Scorpion 2'' has received mostly negative reviews. Ballantine Books' ''Video Movie Guide'' was most positive, finding that the film, "a compact retread of ''The Dirty Dozen'', is far better than its predecessor", while "action scenes are well-handled."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Mick |last2=Porter |first2=Marsha |date=October 2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780345420961/page/910/mode/2up |title=Video Movie Guide 2002 |location=New York |publisher=Ballantine Books |page=911 |isbn=0345420969}}</ref> Paul Castles of the British ''Gloucester Citizen'' assessed it as a "[b]reathless and bloody actioner".<ref>{{cite news |last=Castles |first=Paul |date=November 26, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/981645759 | title=New video |newspaper=The Citizen | location=Gloucester |page=27 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> Robert Pardi of ''The Motion Picture Guide'' delivered a mixed verdict: "With state-of-the-art demolition, expertly choreographed battle scenes, and enough weaponry for a military garage sale, this special-forces flick feeds hunger for action but suffers a story line that's hard to swallow". He also criticized antagonists that never rose above an "unsubtle caricature".<ref>{{cite book |editor=Grant, Edmond |last1= |first1= |date=1997 |url=https://archive.org/details/motionpicturegui0000unse_b4z0/page/312/mode/2up |title=The Motion Picture – 1997 Annual (The Films of 1996) |location=New York |publisher=Cinebooks |pages=312–313 |isbn=0933997000}}</ref>

David Stratton of trade publication ''Variety'' was unimpressed, calling the film "[a] routine actioner that covers familiar ground" and "a sequel that doesn't aim high", although he granted that its setpieces might keep the action crowd "moderately happy".<ref name="var-rev"/> ''VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever'' commented: "Another ''Dirty Dozen'' rip-off finds your average ethnically mixed good guys brought together by a government agency".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qtgShDDpklEC&q=red+scorpion++McColm |title=VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever|isbn=9780787689803 |accessdate=December 27, 2024|last1=Craddock |first1=Jim |year=2006 |publisher=Thomson Gale }}</ref> The British Film Institute's magazine ''Sight and Sound'' dismissed a "formulaic action adventure."<ref name="s&s-jan95">{{cite magazine |last1=Dean |first1=Peter |last2=Kermode |first2=Mark |date=January 1995 |title=Video: Rental premiere |url=https://archive.org/details/Sight_and_Sound_1995_01_BFI_GB/page/n69/mode/2up |magazine=Sight and Sound |location=London |publisher=British Film Institute |volume=5 (new series) |issue=1 |pages=68}}</ref> ''LaserDisc News'' concurred, finding that "the performances are bland and the narrative is a grind."<ref name="meddig-97">{{cite book |editor=C. Edward Wall | date=1997 |chapter=Film and video | chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/mediareviewdiges0000cedw_c0y9/page/364/mode/2up | title=Media Review Digest |volume=27 |location=Ann Arbor |publisher=The Pierian Press |page=–| isbn=978-0-87650-350-8 }}</ref> Susan King of ''Los Angeles Times'' summed up the film as a "glum thriller".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-02-ca-31542-story.html |author=King, Susan |title=Videos to Help Mark Black History Month |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 2, 1996 |access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|0110954}}

Category:1995 films Category:American action films Category:Canadian action films Category:1990s spy action films Category:Films about terrorism Category:Films about neo-Nazis Category:Films about neo-Nazism Category:Films directed by Michael Kennedy (director) Category:Films set in 1994 Category:1995 English-language films Category:1995 Canadian films Category:1995 American films Category:English-language action films Category:Thanksgiving in films