Red Scorpion (1989)
Getting this volume started is a straight up action flick from 1989 about a human killing machine. Taught to stalk, trained to kill. Programmed to destroy. He’s played by their rules… until now in Red Scorpion starring Dolph Lundgren, Al White, and M. Emmet Walsh, from director Joseph Zito.
What happened after Ivan Drago lost to Rocky Balboa in front of his home country of Russia on Christmas? He retired the gloves and became a one-man-army in a film that admittedly does work itself down the 80s action movie cliche checklist. Red Scorpion really brings nothing new to the table, but Lundgren is still able to carry this formulaic action movie with more than enough energy and gusto to make it a thrilling ride of explosions, gunplay, and feats of strength. Lundgren’s chiseled out like a walking action figure and while the fight scenes may feel a bit generic, Lundgren’s hulking stature is still able to ramp up the thrills while dispensing an army of men scene-by-scene. This movie was shot on location so it does pull you out into another time and place which all adds to the escape this forgotten little action flick can still deliver.
King Solomon’s Mines (1985)
Coming up next is a movie that delivers a bit of it all when a fortune hunter is hired to find a professor lost in the African jungle during the 1900s in J. Lee Thompson’s King Solomon’s Mines starring Richard Chamberlain, Sharon Stone, and John Rhys-Davies.
King Solomon’s Mines was a product of Cannon Films which wanted to jump in on the adventure film wave after the massive success of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Now this movie clearly aims to amplify the humor because it’s almost a parody of the genre. So, it’s natural some of the jokes come off cheesy, as do some of the directions the story goes. But if you just want to sit back for a time-period international adventure that leans more into laughs, than compelling journey layers, then King Solomon’s Mines is a riot of action and mindless humor. Chamberlain and Stone are a capable duo, they don’t really light the screen on fire, but they carry the film effectively enough to take the ride with them. Critics hated this movie, and I’ll admit the film should’ve leaned more into slapstick humor, so its intentions were clearer. And sure, this one isn’t as good as the Indiana Jones movies, or the Romancing the Stone films in terms of treasure hunting adventure, but it still provides enough fun for a family movie night.
Clash of the Titans (1981)
There was a time this next fantasy epic was the most cutting-edge film on the market with a story centered around the gods when Perseus would battle Medusa and the Kraken to save Princess Andromeda in 1981s Clash of the Titans starring Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, and Claire Bloom. Directed by Desmond Davis.
Now Clash of the Titans to me is the type of movie that defines this list perfectly. Everyone has more than likely heard of Clash of the Titans, and many undoubtedly watched it countless times as a kid. But this epic exploring the mythology of the Greek gods is also more than likely forgotten from your mind. However, this movie, as campy and grandiose as it is, delivers a ride of nostalgia, nostalgia, nostalgia. This movie was cutting edge visually back in 1981 despite stop-motion having been around and watching now all the effects and techniques used to build this world are still impressive. The cast is fantastic overall as well with names like Laurence Olivier and Harry Hamlin and they’re all able to breathe personality into these larger-than-life characters. And yes, the film gets a bit too cheesy in places, but it was the early 80s and I can still appreciate how the filmmakers swung for the fences with Clash of the Titans and the result was a movie every American home had in their cabinet full of VHS tapes.
Dudes (1987)
We’re jumping into the genre of comedy for this next forgotten gem about a trio of punk lovers who experience deathly comical adventures when the decide to move out to Los Angeles in 1987s Dudes starring Jon Cryer, Daniel Roebuck and Flea from the Red-Hot Chili Peppers from director Penelope Spheeris.
The 80s were known for pumping out some of the strangest films in history and to me one of them would be Dudes. A punk rock, western, comedy, that I can appreciate for going all-in on the wild humor. The movie does get a little dumb in places, even for its time. But Dudes is a comedy that succeeds more than it fails. It’s a road-trip comedy with non-stop absurdist humor, ridiculous scenarios, and bursts of amusing action. All of which blends with the high energy music to make this little indie movie a great time for those wanting a mindlessly eccentric escape. The performances are solid overall, the chemistry between the cast is effective, and there are plenty of little side characters popping in to keep the pace moving. Not everything in Dudes works and its lack of budget does show in spots. But overall, I appreciate this movie for the wildly dark, but still lighthearted adventure it manages to deliver.
Tightrope (1984)
This next psychological thriller stars a legend and follows a rogue cop who chases a serial killer until he becomes the hunted in 1984s Tightrope starring Clint Eastwood who also co-directed this one alongside Richard Tuggle. With Alison Eastwood, Dan Hedeya, and Genevieve Bujold filling out the focal cast.
To me Tightrope is one of Eastwoods more overlooked movies. It’s like Dirty Harry meets psychological thriller and seeing Eastwood’s character spiral into the darkness of this case is still a foreboding and ominous journey all these years later. In this one Eastwood’s able to expand on his Dirty Harry role without having to over rely on the macho bravado and it’s great for the needs of the gritty serial killer flick because he just feels more grounded and sincerely determined. This is a movie that lurks in the shadows. It keeps you feeling uneasy while watching and with a nicely layered story that’s able to weave a compelling murder mystery, the tension is able to elevate evenly throughout resulting in a satisfying final act. And sure, Eastwood has delivered many flashier films with higher levels of gusto, but Tightrope is the perfect movie for a rainy night at home with the lights off and a bowl of popcorn.
Streets of Fire (1984)
This next movie is another that was able to take a wide range of genres and blend them into one awesome cinematic ride when a mercenary is hired to rescue a singer who has been kidnapped by a biker gang in 1984s Streets of Fire starring Michael Pare, Rick Moranis, Diane Lane, and Willem Dafoe. From director Walter Hill.
This is another movie to make this list that is without question one of a kind as Streets of Fire takes the vibe of a 50s musical and drops it into the world of an 80s action flick. And while the juxtaposition of genres are polar opposites, somehow director Walter Hill is able to make it all work. He blends this into a neo-noir world filled with grittiness, seduction, and bizarre intrigue. The performances are pretty raw, but they work for the needs of these bold and eccentric characters. The story is what it is, nothing incredibly compelling but it’s more than enough to connect all the vibrant music with the violent action to create a truly unique experience. A young Willem Dafoe comes in to deliver a menacing performance and while the lead character played by Michael Pare does feel a little flat it doesn’t hinder the overall entertainment this movie can provide. And with detailed production design and the skilled direction from Hill this movie will have a timeless appeal.
Easy Money (1983)
We’re diving into pure comedy for this next 80s gem featuring a comedic legend who stars as a gambling addict who must get his shit together in order to inherit his mothers-in-law’s colossal fortune in 1983’s Easy Money starring Rodney Dangerfield, Joe Pesci, and Geraldine Fitzgerald. Directed by James Signorelli.
With this charming little comedy stand-up legend Rodney Dangerfield was able to step seamlessly from the stage to the big screen with this hilarious film that thrives on all the elements that made Dangerfield such a brilliant comedian. He’s dropping comical one-liners and jokes. He’s delivering a string of amusing sight gags throughout this silly plot and it’s all a mindless escape of jovial fun. The supporting cast is pretty solid, led by Joe Pesci who really cements the cast effectively. Pesci is hilarious here as well, his chemistry with Dangerfield is so natural, and I think the acting presence from Pesci was perfect for Dangerfield to play off and time his humor from. Easy Money just goes wild in all the comical ways you would hope. And it’s a film that has a surprisingly witty sense of humor that’s able to mold itself around its lead star perfectly.
Bad Boys (1983)
This next gritty crime thriller takes us to the mean streets of Chicago when a young criminal is sent to reform school after killing a rival’s kid brother in Rick Rosenthal’s Bad Boys from 1983 starring Sean Penn, Reni Santoni, Jim Moody, Ally Sheedy, and Esai Morales.
Bad Boys is a forgotten film that is so well-crafted on many levels from the acting, which is phenomenal, to the writing, to the production design, and front and center the incredible direction from Rosenthal who’s able to create in inviting intimacy to this grimy story that could otherwise easily turn people off. There’s a sincerity in Rosenthal’s direction that blends perfectly with this cold gritty plot, and it results in an unnerving film that is fueled on emotional intensity. Penn delivers a very raw performance that fits his violent character nicely. And the supporting cast must be commended as well with Sheedy, Morales, Santoni, and Clancy Brown all leaving their imprint on the story. Now Bad Boys is certainly a heavy film, it’s a movie that can make you uncomfortable, and it may not have the most rewatch value. But it never gets melodramatic, it keeps a grounded atmosphere, and to me it’s one of the best of the forgotten films from the 80s.
Blue Thunder (1983)
This next forgotten gem weaves from action to thrills as it follows a test pilot who flies an experimental helicopter with sinister implications in John Badham’s Blue Thunder from 1983 starring Roy Scheider, Warren Oats, Malcolm McDowell, and Daniel Stern.
To me Blue Thunder is surprisingly forgotten for as well-structured as it is. The story is layered just enough to keep your attention but it keeps from overthinking it so the pace is steady. It’s part futuristic sci-fi thriller, part steely cop thriller. The direction, performances, editing, and cinematography in Blue Thunder are also top notch and it results in a swiftly moving thriller filled with thrilling and visually impressive action sequences that are surprisingly light on the violence. Then you get Roy Scheider in the lead as the veteran cop that begins to dig deeper for answers who certainly molds this role to his personality. Schieder has a grounded charm, and it works great for this character. It makes him extremely likable, so you take on this case and search for answers with him as the state-of-the-art Blue Thunder dog fights other helicopters all over the skies of Los Angeles. Blue Thunder ramps up the suspense nicely and goes out with a satisfying bang that still delivers today.
American Ninja (1985)
And closing out this volume and my forgotten 80s movies series is a martial arts action flick that certainly does have a cult following. But one that may be forgotten by many as it follows an American who has mastered the words most deadly art in 1985s American Ninja starring Michael Dudikoff, and Steve James.
Now this is a movie that will be known to lovers of 80s action cinema but to the general population this little gem has been swallowed up by the ocean of other action flicks. The action genre really boomed in the 80s and American Ninja gives you a bit of it all. There’s a variety to all the action from explosive battles to violent gunplay, with of course plenty of martial-arts action. This lead role was originally intended for Chuck Norris but would ultimately go to Michael Dudikoff who I will admit is strong in the role despite reportedly having no martial-arts training prior to being cast. American Ninja at its core is a full throttle action movie that has a nice blend of camp and grit. The practical effects still hold up and the fight choreography is sound enough to create a lasting appeal. Dudikoff is kicking ass. Steve James is a great #2 and this movie still holds up as a relic of the genre’s past.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die
