Universal Soldier: The Return Blu-ray features mediocre video and great audio, but overall it's a poor Blu-ray release
Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), the heroic former Universal Soldier, is about to
be thrown into action once again. With the Cold War over and defense budgets slashed, the
entire Universal Soldier team is facing elimination, including SETH, the super-computer that
controls the ultra-warriors. Knowing that his days are numbered, SETH decides to seek
revenge by destroying his creators and implementing a reign of terror on the outside world.
Morphing into human form as the quintessential Universal Soldier (Michael Jai White), SETH
begins to unleash his wicked plan with the aid of his top soldier (Bill Goldberg). When
conventional military strength fails to thwart his efforts, Luc must take charge. As Luc faces
SETH and his team of unstoppable soldiers, a battle pitting man against machine and good
against evil ensues, offering the kind of high-intensity sci-fi action you've come to expect
from Van Damme in a story you won't soon forget.
For more about Universal Soldier: The Return and the Universal Soldier: The Return Blu-ray release, see the Universal Soldier: The Return Blu-ray Review published by Martin Liebman on April 6, 2009 where this Blu-ray release scored 2.0 out of 5.
It's always odd to come across an R-rated movie that sets its sights on a demographic too young to
legally see the movie in theaters. Universal Solider: The Return is a movie that is likely to
appeal to younger, pre-adolescent boys with a thirst for inane action and things blowing up all over
the screen. It offers a paper-thin plot, ridiculous dialogue, plenty of gunplay, big explosions, and a
few poor special effects -- everything a growing boy needs. Starring a still-sculpted, still-flexible, and
still-mediocre-actor Jean-Claude Van Damme (Maximum Risk), martial
artist Michael Jai White (Spawn), and pro wrestler Bill Goldberg, Universal Soldier: The
Return has "bad movie" written all over it. The truth is, it's an abysmal picture but one that
does all it sets out to do, which is provide 80 minutes of wall-to-wall action for fans to absorb. A
mindless time-killer at best and a substandard sequel to a slightly-above-average Action picture at
worst, Universal Soldier: The Return is irrelevant entertainment with virtually nothing
going for it that can't be found -- and done better -- in hundreds of other movies.
This is your brain on 'Universal Soldier: The Return.'
Luc Deveraux (Van Damme) is no longer a Universal Soldier. He's been returned to natural
human form but continues to work in the UniSol program, a program that has developed
re-animated soldiers
that are more advanced than ever before. While still under the guise of the U.S. Military, a
supercomputer named S.E.T.H. oversees the entirety of the program and controls the soldiers.
When word comes down that the government is cutting military spending and that the UniSol
program is on the chopping block, S.E.T.H. goes into self-preservation mode, commanding the
UniSols, led by Romeo (Goldberg), to overthrow the humans at the base. S.E.T.H., in its infinite
wisdom, didn't count on Deveraux and intrepid local television reporter Erin Young (Heidi Schanz)
playing spoiler, and must acquire a human body (White) with
which to physically defeat the former UniSol and win the day.
For a movie that offers virtually nothing other than nonstop action packed inside a brief 83
minute
runtime, Universal Soldier: The Return is particularly dull and slow. The most
obvious defect
is the film's repetitive feel; shot after shot seem virtually identical, with stoic UniSols blankly
gazing
at their enemies and nonchalantly firing their weapons. For whatever reason, the UniSol
"grunts"
are practically zombies with a firm trigger finger, while those that are played by name actors are
assigned monikers, personalities, and dialogue. When the film isn't showing repetitive gun
battles between Army regulars and UniSols, the film subjects the audience to a seemingly
nonstop chase scene
where Deveraux and Young (herself seemingly a carbon copy of a similar character played by
Ally Walker in the first film) are on the run
from the witty*, large, and in-charge Romeo. Unfortunately, Universal Soldier: The
Return doesn't seem to understand that a good action sequence requires more than a
million gunshots, several big explosions, and headache-inducing hard rock music
accompaniment. The film just has "cheap" written all over it, from poorly-designed prop guns to
generic costumes and sets. Universal Soldier: The Return adds insult to injury,
opening Kobayashi
Maru-style and concluding with a Terminator 2-esque
finale, sans good special effects.
*Not so much, unless dialogue that would even sound bad coming from Mr. Freeze's polar
opposite
may be considered as such.
Universal Soldier: The Return features a lackluster 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. The
transfer is rather dark, slightly hazy, uninspired, and plenty grainy. Colors are decent, certainly not
too bright but not too dark, either. Most seem obscured under the many nighttime exterior shots
and the rather poorly-lit interiors of the military facility where much of the action takes place. Fine
detail is acceptable but underwhelming throughout. Black levels are decent, and flesh tones tend
towards a shade of red. This is not a bad transfer, just a dull one. The material gives the disc little
to work with, and this is likely the best fans are going to see Universal Soldier: The Return
for a very long time.
At least it sounds good. Universal Soldier: The Return features a raucous and fairly
entertaining Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack that keeps the blood flowing when the movie otherwise
lulls viewers to sleep. Surround speakers are used to full effect in the action sequences. Sound
moves seamlessly around the stage through much of the film, beginning with the opening
watercraft chase. Water splashes in every corner of the room, leaving listeners satisfied with the
experience, getting all but wet out of the experience. Bass kicks in nicely, presented at a level that
is neither too low nor too destructive. The accompanying hard rock music plays clearly and crisply
across the front soundstage. Gunshots are particularly impressive throughout; a shootout in a
boiler room features reverberations coming all around the soundstage. Dialogue reproduction is
strong. While the movie leaves much to be desired, its soundtrack is the lone bright spot.
Universal Soldier: The Return hits Blu-ray with only a few supplements. The Making of
'Universal Solider: The Return' (480p, 4:44) is a brief promo piece for the film, featuring clips
from the film and behind-the-scenes footage intermixed with interview snippets with stars
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Jai White, Bill Goldberg, Kiana Tom, and Heidi Schanz,
Producer Craig Baumgarten, and Director Mic Rodgers. Michael Jai White (480p, 4:04)
features the star sharing the secrets of his physical fitness routine. Jean-Claude Van Damme:
Looking Back-Moving Forward (480p, 12:09) is a brief retrospective on the star's personal life
and film career. Finally, this disc includes BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality and 1080p
trailers for The Fall, Dragon Wars, and The Da Vinci Code: Extended
Cut.
Sadly, Universal Soldier: The Return fails to capture the spirit of its predecessor. While by
no means a classic, Universal Soldier is a decent all-around Action film with a good story
and engaging battle sequences. This sequel falters on practically every front. The dialogue is
atrocious, the action bland and repetitive, the acting uninspired, and the plot reaching for the bare
minimum to keep the guns running and the explosions big and loud. The film makes for passable
popcorn entertainment in an emergency situation where a ten-hour Jane Austen adaptation is the
only other option available, but next to other movies of its kind, it's easily one of the lesser ones.
Sony delivers Universal Soldier: The Return to Blu-ray with average results. The picture is
uninspired, the sound is fairly good, and the supplements are few. Worth a rental for the curious.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'Universal Soldier: The Return' and 'The Thirteenth Floor' to Blu-ray on April 14th. Both titles will be presented in 1080p AVC video accompanied by 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtracks. As will all recent ...
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