Universal Soldier (1992)

Luc and Scott were killed in Vietnam, but the army has a secret project for reanimating dead people as near-perfect soldiers.

Director:

Roland Emmerich

Writers:

Richard Rothstein (story), Christopher Leitch (story),

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Ally Walker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Luc Deveraux / GR44
Dolph Lundgren	...	Andrew Scott / GR13
Ally Walker	...	Veronica Roberts
Ed O'Ross	...	Colonel Perry
Jerry Orbach	...	Dr. Christopher Gregor
Leon Rippy	...	Woodward
Tico Wells	...	Garth
Ralf Moeller	...	GR76
Robert Trebor	...	Motel Owner
Gene Davis	...	Lieutenant
Drew Snyder	...	Charles
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	GR55
Simon Rhee	...	GR61
Eric Norris	...	GR86
Michael Winther	...	Technician

Storyline

An elite team of soldiers has been used against terrorists where they use astounding physical capabilities to overcome them. Victoria, a reporter, follows them and discovers a part of their secret. When one of the team kills her cameraman she tries to escape. Luc, one of the soldiers begins to have flashbacks and turns sides and helps her as the remainder of the team follows to protect their secrets.

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Plot Keywords:

flashback | vietnam | parents | top secret | chase | 

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Taglines:

The ultimate weapons of the future have just declared war... on each other.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence, and for strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Studio Canal [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crystal Knights

Filming Locations:

Ashfork, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$36,299,898 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Carolco Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 84 min (heavily cut) (TV)

Sound Mix:

CDS (digital 35 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (analog 35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The young couple that Luc reacts to at the Hoover Dam incident are actually the same young couple in the beginning in Vietnam

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Goofs

In Deveraux's parents' house, the clock on the mantle reads 8:20 when it is first shown. Several minutes later, the clock still reads 8:20.

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Quotes

Scott: [after he shot the prison bus driver that was driving Luc and Veronica] Excuse me! You should check out your driver! He don't look so hot! Hahaha

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Connections

Referenced in Fresh Bait (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Body Count's In The House"
Written by Ice-T and Ernie-c
Performed by Body Count
Courtesy of Sire Records
by Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Admit it – you enjoyed it.

Okay, okay: it's as macho as hell, questionably acted, pretty brutal and not particularly imaginative. But it has faith in itself. Please don't think I mean to give this B-movie any real grandeur, but it does know how to get the blood pumping. If the action sequences are nothing new (cribbed from Arnie and Mad Max flicks), it pushes them home with a relentless logic, and the production values are fine.

There is an element of self-parody, thanks largely to Lundgren's engagingly OTT psychotic turn (he's the best of the bunch) and the film-makers have enough nouse to make JVCD rely on his ability to kick the life out of everyone.

Plot means nothing, the film is nasty, the semi-moral/sentimental tone that descends towards the end is pretty offensive and it's derivative.

But admit it - you enjoyed it. Hell, I thought it was a laugh.