A Russian policeman, Ivan Danko (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has been sent to America, and in partiular Chicago, on the trail of a Russian drug dealer who has escaped to America and awaits extradition in Chicago.
While in Chicago, Ivan is paired off with a foul-mouthed Chicago cop who goes by the name of Art Ridzik (James Belushi)
When the drug dealer escapes, the two police must overcome their, very strong, differences in order to recapture him and force him to pay his penance.