Review of Universal Soldier (1992) by Sarfaraz A — 31 Oct 2012

Universal Soldier science fiction action film directed by Roland Emmerich. Sarring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. Universal Soldier opened on July 10, 1992 where it grossed $10,057,084 from 1916 theaters with a $5,249 per screen average, it made $36,299,898 in US ticket sales, and internationally making over $65 million, earning a total of $102 million worldwide, on a $23 million budget.

Luc (Jean-Claude Van Damme) and Scott (Dolph Lundgren) are in village in the years of Vietnam-War Luc wants to go home, and Scott wants to kill people. Luc upon sighting Scott conducting a one-man My Lai massacre, he tried to stop him and then both end up killing each other. After being declare 'missing-in-action' they are reanimated by secret government project, their minds are supposed to have been wiped clean of all memories, but when the flashbacks begin, each man's orientation has been defined by his strongest motivation at the time of his death.

I recently saw latest in the series Universal Soldiers The Day Of Reckoning, having been impressed, 'nostalgia' touched my curiosity to go back and give this series a try. I would remember a poster of the film hung across my town 'Larkano (Sindh-PAKISTAN)' in early 90s. Well, I played it, and I thought the beginning of the film was almost attracting me, with the standard of the scene taking place. However, ultimately it all sort started run thick and dull. Van-Damme played it cool, his physique presence made many feel insecure around him. Van Damme's 'signature-kick'(which I call to his famous kicks) could throw anyone straight through grave to hell.

At the same time, Lundgren could hardly impress me with his action stunts and occupying both his role and dialogues, I could not feel more of him except his height. Ally Walker's dedicated work in the work gives support to silent character played by Van-Damme and she fills the screen with her bubbly expressions.