Ultimate Dolph

It's as grainy as the DVD. For Bluray I expect a crisp and fresh picture.

The packaging states that it is a brand new 2K transfer and it sure looks the part. There is no noticeable edge enhancement, artifacting or other ugly business on screen. I have owned this one twice, on VHS and DVD and this is by far (and obviously) the best I've ever seen it look. My guess is that the only way this could possibly look better is if you're lucky enough to set your eyes on a 35mm print, and something tells me that isn't as likely to happen as I want it to be.

Short Version: Great, but forgotten, action film

the film is up there with the best the decade had to offer. Despite playing what is essentially Ivan Drago with guns, Lundgren turns in a good performance here; one well above the genre’s standard. He plays Nikolai as both bad and good guy with equal competency while simultaneously not overshadowing the film’s expected message of Communism=bad, freedom=good. To everyone’s surprise, the lone American character is the least likable – another way in which RED SCORPION diverges from the vast majority of action cinema of the eighties.

Synapse’s combo-pack of the film is an excellent way to finally get it the audience it deserves. They’ve treated RED SCORPION to a superb release that is heavy-laden with special features. Each is worth checking out, but make a point to watch the interview with SFX guru Tom Savini. RED SCORPION is a film that has flown under the radar for years; beloved by action connoisseurs, but largely unseen by the general public. Those days are probably over with this great release from Synapse, and Lundgren’s appearance in THE EXPENDABLES 2 will likely garner additional interest in his early works.