Universal Soldier

Universal Soldier (1992)
TriStar Pictures
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren

Within the science fiction genre, genetically enhanced super-soldiers have become a staple of futuristic warfare. The idea has been showcased in several films including The Terminator and Robocop. Newcomer German director Roland Emmerich brings us Universal Soldier, the story of super-soldiers who are reanimated and sent to stop a terrorist takeover. Starring action megastars Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Universal Soldier is heavy on action and short on plot.

Luc Deveraux (Van Damme) and Andrew Scott (Lundgren) are two soldiers during the Vietnam War who end up killing each other over a hostage dispute. Twenty-five years later, Deveraux and Scott are reanimated as UniSols, genetically enhanced soldiers who have no fear, freewill, or memories. The government sends in a squad of UniSols to stop a terrorist attack on the Hoover Dam. During the attack, Deveraux recovers some of his old memories and runs from the government with TV reporter Veronica Roberts (Ally Walker). Scott also regains his freewill and memory and takes over the UniSol program. He sends his team to find and destroy the renegade Deveraux.

Universal Soldier is a mindless action film that tries to feature some morals within it. The film fails on this level when it could have explored the cyborg’s motives and feelings instead of rushing into a straight action story. There is not much plot here: basically it is a cat-and-mouse story with unstoppable cyborgs. One of the biggest problems with Universal Soldier is the acting. Both Van Damme and Lundgren are not known for their acting skills. With other 80’s actions stars such as Stallone and Seagal, these types of films are about the fight scenes and not the acting or story.

The final fight scene between Deveraux and Scott is well choreographed and is entertaining. It is probably the true redeeming scene of the film. Other than the action climax, there is not much that makes Universal Soldier stand out as a science fiction cornerstone or a masterpiece. It is a mindless popcorn flick that features two upcoming action stars that have barely made it out of the 80’s action wave. Universal Soldier could have been a wonderful story that delves into cyborgs and freewill, but instead it cannot get about a B-level film which features a few good fight scenes.

Rating: C-


June 8, 2010