Universal Soldier (1992) Retrospective / Review
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Universal Soldier (1992) Retrospective / Review
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Best line of the movie is Dolph in the market saying "see! they're everywhere" after shooting the guy xD
Oliver Harper This story seems like it ripped off RoboCop with reviving people to be used as cyborgs that go into battle, the flashbacks to a previous life, etc.
Good stuff... Good stuff.
Wow, since you like Dolph you MUST do a Silent trigger retrospective review!
@@eltoro747 Silent Trigger is awesome, probably Dolph’s last really good film.
lungren has never been more intimidating and scary
Who? It's Lundgren you idiot
Rocky IV says hi
@@LiLTailormade it's a close 2nd... not that close though
*Lundgren
fun fact, Dolph is a chemical engineer himself from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm
Just saw it again after 30 years,geez,its better then I remember ! Very well shot.
It's a great film, so underrated imo
Rewatching it on Nov 2022, holds up well and yea doesn't require a sequel just an awesome stand alone with great SFX and action
Underrated sci-fi action movie. Sure it does have moments of cheese but for a 1992 film it still had it's moments of genuine darkness and really good action that made up for it. I've seen much worse action films.
No masterpiece, but a solid action film.
PHANTOM He definitely has other good movies I actually like Godzilla and Independence Day Was one of the biggest hits in the world! 2012 Wasn’t bad the patriot was great I hope I get the chance to work with him
I like the cheese.
@@Mailed-Knight Not Jean Claude or Dolph's best film, but it's a decent blockbuster action film. Dolph is probably the best part of it though, he's best as a bad guy, he's great in Rocky 4 as well. I like JCVD best in Lionheart and Kickboxer probably. Shows a lot more emotion.
@@haveanotherpinacolada I agree Dolph is the best part of US. Don't think I've seen the first Kickboxer or Lionheart. Might have to seek 'em out.
The 'restaurant' scene when they think he ain't gonna pay and Lundgren's supermarket scenes are one of a kind. oh, and the truck that transported them - epic.
One of my favorites! Dolph is, for me, at his best here. Van Damme really excelled at subtle humor and, hey, I'll never complain about seeing his butt 🤣
Day of Reckoning was brutal as hell compared to the other films. I personally liked it a lot more than the one right before it.
An underrated classic
Love that line in the diner scene: “I just want to eat!” 🤣🤣🤣
Great scene and great line... “The food is good”
@@RS-do1of "i know, i'm the one who did it"
(sorry if it's not the original line but i'm used to the dubbed italian version).
scaccu the original English response is much better...fuckin A it is. The question is, how you gonna pay for it?
"I'm all ears"
My sister and I still joke about that 25 year later.
You're not Dolph is.
I've loved Universal Soldier since the day of its release - thank you for reviewing it!
it was one of my fav movies when I was a kid
Emmerich claimed in one interview that this film was his worst effort, ironically it is his only good movie..lol
Hüseyin Ates Nah. I think Stargate and Independence Day are just as good. The Patriot is also directed by Emmerich and that one is easily his best film. It's even scored by John Williams!
Stargate was great,but Independence Day sucked.
Stargate and Independence Day were a lot of fun.
Aside from the three already mentioned, 'The Day after tomorrow' was also a good film
He has several good movies, but this one is probably my favorite. I really like The Patriot but it could have easily been cut down to a shorter run time. Cut it down to 2.5 hours by cutting out most of the sappy love scenes with Ledger and running most of the slow motion at normal speed. And probably a lot of the beginning. As long as the scene with the guy finding his family murdered and he shoots himself stays in, I wouldn’t miss any scene if it was cut. Maybe the recruiting scene with the preacher joining up and declaring the epic line,” a shepherd must attend to his flock and at times, fight off the wolves”. That would def be missed.
This was definitely a milestone movie for me when I was a kid, I was a fan of Van Damme since Bloodsport and Dolph Lundgren since Rocky 4, seeing them toe to toe was a dream come true
Dolph Lundgren is the most underrated action star of the 80's and 90's.
"you're gonna hurt Hank????" Hehe another fantastic retrospective Ollie!! One of my favourite Van Damme/Lungren movies....I totally agree that a montage of successful Unisol missions at the beginning would have been a great touch. Still a classic movie that i'll always have a soft spot for. Thanks for sharing, i want to watch it now lol
For real, the Hyams direct to video sequels are the best thing about the franchise. Loved Regeneration and I really enjoy Day of Reckoning.
Love the soldiers rappelling down the damn, awesome shot. Really show’s how programmed the soldiers were and how they just followed orders.
It looks good. Universal Soldier is great film.
'Oh Shit!' - Goldberg
hahaha
When you think about it, this is actually a very sad film. It shows the faith that soldiers place in their nations only to be "betrayed" and used. To be consumed and exploited. I can't imagine it but both Van Damme's and Lundgren's character must be going through hell during this story.
Dolph Lundren is awesome in this movie, totally badass, and very funny too (people who don't laugh at Andrew Scott's antics, don't have a sense of humor). Dolph should have received an Oscar for this role. Van Damme was good too. It's a shame this film didn't become a huge box office success, very underrated movie. And yeah, it certainly is a cheap Terminator 2 knock off, but in a good way.
Definitely a 90s classic.
My Father and I were always laughing at Dolphs antics. 🤣😂
I love your reviews. Just about every review you've done and continue doing is stuff from my childhood. Watching these videos is like a great trip down memory lane and has inspired me to go back and watch a lot of these films that I haven't seen in years.
This movie is awesome. I had forgotten just how many veteran character actors are in this film. Dolph and Van Damme were great in this as well as in the much later sequels. I had also forgot how hot Ally Walker really is. Haven't seen her in anything in years.
I share your feelings in regards to how action films are made today. I'm so sick of the whole shaky cam "you are there" feeling that just about all action movies made today have. I want to actually follow what is going on and not feel like I need some Dramamine to figure out what's going on. I miss the days of actually being able to see what the heck is going on in not only an action film, but in many films made today in general. Shaky cam does not substitute for actual storytelling folks.
Ally Walker was gorgeous in this film.
Graham Harper Agreed
Yes she sure was its a pity she didn't get naked in the movie lol
@@JoelCraike hahahahaha
I loved this film. In fact, the Terminator'esque elements worked in its favor for me, since I liked the "humanoid machine" elements from the Terminator series at the time and wanted to see some more of that without it being another Terminator film (Terminator 2 perfectly book-ended that series) - this was a nice alternative with reanimated dead soldiers acting in a cold, efficient, machine-like manner, without being a complete copy.
And you got a little bit of martial arts without making it a typical martial-arts film.
They filmed a scene for the third installment at the defunked gas stations just across from my college in downtown Dallas, TX. We watched them do several takes and saw some of the stars. Unfortunately it was before cellphones so we just watched but did not get any pictures.
Your reviews are so great, you deserve way more subscribers, views, and recognition ! :)
true...
Very very true
such an underrated film its a fun flick saw it theaters 1992 opening weekend
Very nice! I completely agree with Regeneration which was quite the surprise and exactly what fans wanted. Keep up the great work.
One of best action movies ever .
I found this for $4 at a second hand store and I loved it, and right afterwards I was like 'I'm going to see if Oliver reviewed this' lol
Random Assault Podcast That's great to know.
Great review as always Oliver! You're definitely a pro at getting me to go back and re-watch all of these nostalgia trips. :)
I love your channel, Oliver. Few CZcamsrs out there completely operate on the same wavelength as I do when it comes to film, but you get it man. The way you Nerd out over every component and aspect of the filmmaking process makes me feel like I'm not alone. Keep it up, Oliver! You have a loyal fan here : )
Day off work today, spent most of it watching your retrospectives. Plus inspired me to buy Dark City! Can't believe I missed that one.
Awesome stuff mate. Keep it up.
My friends and I went to see this at the theater everyday after school for a week plus that weekend and a total of 12 times all together
...2019 and this is still such a great movie!!!
2020 and its still such a great movie!!!
@@JoelCraike 2021 and you know its still great
In the same ilk as Starship Troopers this. Silly but great entertainment! Loved this when I was younger!! Another slice of chilhood served up with fantastic editing and great points!
Επισημη προβολη στις Αμερικανικες Κινηματογραφικες αιθουσες:10 Ιουλιου 1992.Σκηνοθεσια:Ρολαντ Εμμεριχ.Ειναι γνωστος για τις ταινιες επιστημονικης φαντασιας,οπως η"Μερα Ανεξαρτησιας"του 1996,το..."ανεκδιηγητο"..."10.000 Π.Χ.",αλλα και για το προσφατη πολεμικη ταινια"Μιντγουαιη".Σεναριο:Το υπογραφουν οι:1-Ριτσαρντ Ροθσταιν:Εχει υπογραψει σεναρια,για τις συνεχειες του"Παγκοσμιου στρατιωτη"2-Κριστοφερ Λειτς:Εχει υπογραψει σεναρια για πολλες τηλεοπτικες σειρες στις δεκαετιες 80,90 εως το 2010.2 απο αυτες ειναι η περιφημη"Η Πενταμορφη και το τερας"του 1987,με τους Λιντα Χαμιλτον και Ρον Περλμαν το 1987,και το περιφημο"CSI"του 2007.3-Ντιν Ντεβλιν:Εχει γραψει σεναρια για ταινιες του Ρολαντ Εμμεριχ,οπως το"Stargate"του και το "Γκοτζιλα"του 1998,αλλα και για την ομωνυμη τηλεοπτικη σειρα"Stargate SG 1"του 1997 με πρωταγωνιστη τον διασημο απο το"Μαγκαιβερ"Ριτσαρντ Ντι Αντερσον.Μουσικη:Κριστοφερ Φρανκ.Εχει γραψει μουσικη για τηλεοπτικες σειρες,οπως την περιφημη αστυνομικη περιπετειωδη σειρα"Walker Texas Ranger"απο το 1993 εως το 2001,και ειναι 196 επεισοδια με το Τσακ Νορις.Tο περιφημο τραγουδι"Bodycount in the house"το ερμηνευει ο Ice T με το οομωνυμο συγκροτημα.Διαρκεια ταινιας:102 λεπτα.Η ταινια γυριστηκε στην Αριζονα στις εξεις τοποθεσειες:Κιngman,Chloride,Sedona,Hualapai Indian Reservation(οι σκηνες με το λεωφορειο που πεφτει στον γκρεμο και καταστρεφεται)Cottonwood,Prescot,Bagdad,Verde Valley,Ashfork,Clarkdale,Veterans Administration Medical Center-500 n.Highway 89(οι σκηνες που ο Λουκ Ντεβερο επισκεπτεται αρρωστους Βετερανους του Βιετναμ)Prescott,Φραγμα Χουβερ που βρισκεται στα συνορα Αριζονα Νεβαδα.Τα γυρισματα αρχισαν στις 12 Αυγουστου 1991 εως τις 30 Οκτωβριου.Κοστος παραγωγης:23.000.000 δολλαρια.Μερικες ενδιαφερουσες πληροφοριες για την ταινια:Ο Ζαν Κλοντ Βαν Νταμ και ο Ντολφ Λουγκερν,ηθελαν να προωθησουν αυτη την ταινια στις Διεθνεις Κινηματογαρφικες εκδηλωσεις των...Καννων,εκτος συναγωνισμου φυσικα.Φανταστειτε να ηταν εντος και υποψηφια για τον "Χρυσο Φοινικα"τι θα γινοταν.Και εξω απο την αιθουσα των προβολων,οι 2 τους αρχισαν να τσακωνονται.Επενεβησαν οι φρουροι για να τους χωρησουν,και τελικα αποδειχτηκε οτι ο καβγας ηταν..."στημενος"αποκλειστικα και μονο για την προωθηση της ταινιας!Οι σκηνες του Βιετναμ γυριστηκαν στο γηπεδο "Kingman"της Αριζονα,αφου πρωτα φτιαχτηκε το αναλογο σκηνικο που να θυμιζει ζουγκλα του Βιετναμ.Κατα την διαρκεια της παραγωγης,ο Ζαν Κλοντ Βαν Νταμ και ο Ντολφ Λουγκερν εγιναν φιλοι.Το 1ο σεναριο ειχε τιτλο"Κρυσταλινοι Ιπποτες".Αυτη ειναι η 5η ταινια του Ρολαντ Εμμεριχ σαν σκηνοθετη.Ειχε γραφτει στην αρχη ενα πιο..."σκοτεινο"σε περιεχομενο σεναριο,που ηθελε τον χαρακτηρα του Αντριου Σκοτ(Ντολφ Λουγκερν)να σκοτωνει ολους τους μαρτυρες πολιτες σε οτι αφορα την αντιτρομοκρατικη επιχειριση στο φραγμα,αλλα κατι τετοιο δεν εγινε.Γενικως ειναι μια ωραια περιπετεια που εχει αποκτησει ηδη cult διαστασεις,και ακολουθησαν συνεχειες οσο για τον κινηματογραφο,αλλα και για την τηλεοραση,που ομως δεν μπορουν να συγκριθουν με την πρωτοτυπη.Μια απο τις καλυτερες ταινιες του Ζαν Κλοντ Βαν Νταμ.Και δεν χρειαζεται να εχει..."πομπωδη θεαμα"αλλα βασησ τους χαρακτηρες,η μαλλον καλυτερα εξισορροπει τους χαρακτηρες και την δραση.Αξιζει τον κοπο να την παρακολουθησετε...
15:10 Problem is if you look closely you will see 80% are their doubles. But they've been there done this so its ok and its spectacular stunts non the less
the lead actress is pretty good in this movie. She does provide the acting and holds the movie together. She was given a good role, as good as Van Damme and Lundgren.
Hey Ollie my friend. You forgot about the quest. That was actually Van Dammes last theatrical until JCVD.
LudeandLude na knock off with rob sneider
Great review, I like how you give a detailed review including the music, games, etc.
Fun fact: Matt Battaglia, the lead actor in Universal Soldier II and III, is the same guy that played a fire man who dated Phoebe in Friends.
JCVD was offered a lucrative deal from Hollywood after Time Cop but he wanted more money and rejected the deal. Hollywood didn't adjust the deal and cancelled it instead.
If you like this movie, highly suggest *Universal Solider: Day of Reckoning.* Van Damme, Lungren, and Scott Adkins.
"You're discharged, Sarge"
“I’m all ears!” Haha I always remember that bit 😂
If you do another Van Damme movie, do Hard Target...
Top review again
Good film, but i think JCVD's best efforts are Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart and Sudden Death... and JCVD of course.
Edit: I know this is 7 years after your original post ha!
@@haveanotherpinacolada I agree those are his best efforts, especially bloodsport or Lionheart which is called A.W.O.L in the UK, I've always liked hard target especially because it was also John Woos first American movie
This is your best review so far.
Would love to see you do a full review of Regeneration and day of reckoning
the kill when scott he forces the needle into the head of one of the doctors is definitely memorable.
One my favorite movies
I would really like to see a review or even a commentary on Regeneration, I loved that movie
I just realize something, instead calling them Universal Soldiers, "WINTER SOLDIERS", get it....lol
I love the movie
Really need to add a warning for people with epilepsy for that flashing dude.
Oliver, I have some possible choices for a Retrospective/Review:
Titan A.E. (maybe?)
The Abyss
V: The Original Miniseries (1983)
He should review these too :
48 HRS
Nighthawks
Sharky's Machine
The Driver
Rolling Thunder
Sorcerer
Bullitt
Dirty Harry
Magnum Force
The French Connection
Death Wish
The Seven-Ups
Marathon Man
Hard Times (aka The Streetfighter)
Mr Majestyk
Prime Cut
The movies in 80s,90s and early 2000 is very good.But today; no good.
reneir jumiller true💯
Great Review Oliver
I love your channel and reviews! Keep up the great work. Love RoboCop and other great classics.
This is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies.
This first movie is still the best, Regeneration was good also proper gritty which was refreshing. Day of Reckoning was alright I guess Van Damme finally passed the torch on now, but Davereux could still have beat that guy, its like he just allowed him to kill him at the end.
But he can still be brought bk cause look how many times they brought bk Dolph Lundren's character.
"Capture Luke Devro with minimal damage...*shifts into drive*Oh shit!
One of the funniest scenes in all of film
I watched it again a while ago and really liked it.
I love this film
+op2hudson Same here. Great movie.
White House Down was pretty awesome actually, and definitely felt in parts like a throwback to an earlier era of action films. I liked it a lot more than Olympus Has Fallen, which I personally thought was one of the stupidest and most audience manipulating films I've seen in years.
Do you know what would have been cool? If it still took place in the Vietnam era but it was JCVD and DL fighting against each other in the jungle.
Woah, this is a great review, it's not just a rant.
I think you're a bit too harsh on Day of Reckoning. I thought those strobe-light sequences were simply an immersive way of putting you into these brain-washed characters' mind-sets. The action sequences were phenomenal, especially the sports store scene, and the story was quite interesting. I loved how the film felt like a horror movie at times, with scenes like that creepy Penguin-looking guy showing the main character footage of "himself" killing his best friend, as well as the entire opening first-person perspective sequence, all of it gave the movie an added layer that I hadn't seen from many action films previously. Scott Adkins made for a great lead and it was interesting to see JCVD cast as a villainous character; which is the type of role I'd love to see him get more of, as he was easily the best part of the highly-mediocre Expendables 2 movie. My only problem with the film was the final fight between Adkins and Van Damme, it just felt a bit anti-climatic compared to what we'd seen previously, but besides that, Day of Reckoning is easily my favourite Universal Soldier movie and one of the finest direct-to-video releases I have ever seen.
It would be nice if Roland Emmerich had come back to make a _Universal_ _Soldier_ sequel. Keep it more in style of the original; Continue the story-lines and character arcs for the main characters, especially Luc Deveraux's; Maybe have a "UniSols vs. drones" theme to it; Use as much practicals as possible, instead of using CGI; and like _Halloween_ _H20_, have it act as the final chapter to the franchise.
This was a must watch for me and my little brother on tv when we were growing up, I didnt think the sequel was that bad but I havent watched it since then :P
From Bloodsport up until Sudden Death Van Dammes films were hit after hit taking into account budgets,grosses,pretty much all them films were hits in that regards. Sudden Death bombed in America but made cash abroad. After that the decline set in. This film definitely though was the one imo that put JCVD onto the A-List with Sly,Arnie,Bruce. Seagal later joined that list in 92 when Under Siege smashed it. Love JC wish we cud all c him in a big cinematic comebk,he fkng deserves it ffs.
5:05
Dolph Lundgren's acting debut was "A View to a Kill" as a Russian bodyguard.
This movie is one of my all time favourite Action / Sci-Fi movies, and of course one of my favourite Van Damme movies. Too bad the sequels were not as good.
The best Van Dam movie
Everyone loves "Universal Soldier."
Dude you do the best review on movies.
Great review as all ways. Special props for two things, mentioning how good Dolph is as the heavy, i think he's great in this and shows he's actually a talented performer and not just euro muscle. Secondly mentioning Bodycount! Love em and Bodycount in the house is a Ipod fave.....You should seriously check out White House Down, i was shocked at how enjoyable it was. Way better then Olympus Has Fallen and for my money Emmerich's best film.
I think there is an inconsistency in what you say (or I got it wrong). You seem to say that this was Van Damme's last theatricla release until JCVD. Far from it. He consistently had theatrical releases (that were actually profitable too) until 1998. The only 2 flop flims were Double Team and Knock off. It was only after 1998 that his films stopped having theatrical releases.
If I got something wrong please correct me.
Yeah and he still sold those direct to DVD movies like crazy. Just like Wesley Snipes did when he ran into tax troubles. They had some crappy ones but also some very good ones for sure. I loved the last two Universal Soldier installments. They were on par with the dark lore of the first. The Return could've been so much better if they had a better director and greater story line. A total waste of all the good actors/stars they had in there.
Awesome review keep up the great work
Sick ass review of a sick ass movie.
Where is your review, dude?
Also anyone notice that Roland Emmerich manages to make all his movies seem epic on the big screen yet look made for TV when the same movie is viewed at home, he is alone in managing this feat as far as i know.
I feel The Patriot is more forgotten than Universal Soldier.
Van Damme's best film.
Great Review Mate!....Love your work!...
Great review as always.
I also went to see it with friends, we were kids and liked it at the moment.
It's sad to learn Van Damme had a cocaine problem
Maximilien Noal thanks man!. Spread the word!
olly i love your channel. Could you do the best of the best movies
Great film and Chris frankie score on b5 is legendary!
Our opinion of the two John Hyams helmed sequels are the complete opposite.
I absolutely love Day of Reckoning for its nightmarish nature and absurdly over the top violence (best seen in its uncut form) but find Regeneration to be a total bore.
Regeneration was good I thought. Very brutal and savage in places.
Totally agree loved Day of Reckoning and Regeneration!!! They were on par with the first and the dark lore of it. Via biologically cloning and enhancing dead soldiers. Plus, the storylines were good and Scott Adkins vs Adre "the Pitbull" Arvloski was sweet!
When you started playing music from this movie and heard that distinct sound that Christopher Franke uses in Babylon 5, I suspected that Franke made the score and lo and behold, he did!!
Glad someone else recognized it, I was hearing so many of the synth cues from Babylon 5 that it was weirding me out.
Universal Soldier is fab. Unfortunately, the sequels were not.
Loved the video Oliver. I had no clue this was a Roland Emmerich movie. As always, keep up the great work.
Its one of those movies i wore out the VHS tape as a kid
Great movie! Loved it. Didn't know it had so many sequels :D
Didn't Van Damme and Lundgren stage a shoving match to drum up publicity for the film?
As a Teen this FILM WAS FUCKING AWESOME. At the time hooking up 2 up n comers up together was genius. Took JC to the next level,he become bona fide A level action star,unfortunately Dolph never hit such levels but remained a successful action actor non the less and deffo an action legend too.
I loved this as a kid, saw it a few times. But then I watched it recently as an adult and it didn't do much for me... The premise is still cool