The Soviet invasion itself is triggered when a psychic with a head tattoo mindcontrols a soldier through a telephone. US President Dugan-played by Twin Peaks’ Ray Wise-is nervous and petulant throughout. In the first briefing of the Soviet campaign, Premier Romanov pokes a turtle named Uncle Sam as part of an extended metaphor about America being weak and cowardly. Little attempt is made to dramatise events.
It was Red Alert 2, released in 2000-a couple of years after C&C sequel Tiberian Sun-that changed the mood and overarching story, ditching all ties to the Tiberian series in favour of a second war between the Soviets and Allies. In this light, it’s not surprising that its tone would match the more consistently serious main series. The end of its Soviet campaign depicts the rise of Kane and the Brotherhood of Nod. Red Alert isn’t a spin-off to Command & Conquer, but a prequel. But the alt-history conflict between Allies and Soviets isn’t portrayed as a fun, campy romp. Its absurdities come through stilted acting, basic sets and questionable CGI.
While it opens on Einstein travelling back in time to assassinate Hitler with a fatal handshake-and let’s all take a second to think about that-the majority of its cutscenes are played straight.
