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Movies / On DVD / Universal Soldier: The Return
Universal Soldier: The Return

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Universal Soldier: The Return (1999)

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Reviews Counted:51

Fresh:3

Rotten:48

Average Rating:2.8/10

Consensus: This movie fails on almost every level from second rate action to bad acting and a formulaic story.

Runtime: 84 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: Luc Deveraux (Van Damme) is back! Having retired from his career as a Universal Soldier, he now serves as a technical advisor on a top-secret government project to design a stronger, smarter,... Luc Deveraux (Van Damme) is back! Having retired from his career as a Universal Soldier, he now serves as a technical advisor on a top-secret government project to design a stronger, smarter, generally more universal breed of cyborg soldier. However, SETH -- the supercomputer that controls the soldiers -- taking a cue from HAL, the discontent supercomputer from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, has an agenda of its own, which includes destroying its creators and implementing a reign of terror on humankind. Can the now peaceful Deveraux revert to his old ways and save the human race? [More]

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Jai White, Heidi Schanz, Xander Berkeley

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Jai White, Heidi Schanz, Xander Berkeley, Justin Lazard, Daniel Von Bargen, Bill Goldberg, James Black, Brent Hinkley, Woody Watson

Director: Mic Rodgers

Director: Mic Rodgers
Screenwriter: Richard Rothstein
Producer: Craig Baumgarten
Composer: Don Davis
Screenwriter: Dean Devlin

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Universal Soldier: The Return

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Filling out and greying at the temples, Van Damme is far from convincing, even in the tedious fight sequences.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A disappointing entry to the sci-fi / action-movie canon.

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
03/05/02
Jamie Graham
Jamie Graham
Sight and Sound

An underwhelming follow-up to one of the career-stalled action star's better efforts.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/17/08
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Please, even if it means offsetting a planned schedule, do not see this movie. It could be the biggest mistake of your life. I should know: I made it.

Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | comment Comment
03/10/07
David Keyes
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
03/10/07
Susan Stark
Susan Stark
Detroit News

This SF action sequel must have been slapped together fast: live-action stunts created by uninspired editing lead up to computer-generated imagery that's just as lame.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/06/07
Lisa Alspector
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader

No review available.

comment Comment
07/31/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/06/04
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

comment Comment
01/24/04
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

Van Damme's acting skills remains undetectable.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
04/25/03
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail

Close your eyes and repeat after me: pro wrestlers must never ever EVER try to act.

comment 1 Comment
01/09/03
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

Hopefully this is the last we have seen of the Unisol series, but unfortunately the dearth of creativity in Hollywood, will allow it to live for another abysmal dumbing.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Tom Meek
Tom Meek
Film Threat

I would suggest that you use this film solely as a form of torture.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment Comment
02/14/01
Kamal  'The Diva' Larsuel
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review

It's devoid of the full-fledged physical artistry of Jackie Chan or the mesmerizing carnage of the best Hong Kong action flicks.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There's really no excuse for this unhappy return!

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online

Jean-Claude's best days are behind him. Way behind him.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Athan Bezaitis
Athan Bezaitis
Filmcritic.com

Its sequel is devoid of personality and has an annoying gratuitous sentimental streak.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Betsy Sherman
Betsy Sherman
Boston Globe

Stay far, far away from this laughably bad sci-fi action flick!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Bill Pearis
Bill Pearis
Citysearch

Cheapo piece of claptrap!

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bruce Kirkland
Bruce Kirkland
Jam! Movies

let's hope, for [Van Damme's] sake, that his own return is not riding on this one.

Full Review Source: Nitrate Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Nitrate Online
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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