Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms (1998)

The Universal Soldiers are used to smuggle diamonds for a CIA Director, but Luc Deveraux continues to cause him problems.

Director:

Jeff Woolnough

Writer:

Peter M. Lenkov

Stars:

Matt Battaglia, Andrew Jackson, Eric Bryson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Battaglia	...	Luc Devreaux / GR44
Andrew Jackson	...	Sgt. Andrew Scott / GR13
Eric Bryson	...	Peterson / GR80
Kevin Rushton	...	Martinez / GR81 (as Kevin Ruston)
Desmond Campbell	...	Cooper / GR82 (as Desmond Campell)
Michael Copeman	...	Lt. Col. Jack Cameron
Gary Busey	...	Otto Mazur
Burt Reynolds	...	Mentor
Richard McMillan	...	Dr. Walker
Chandra West	...	Veronica
Aron Tager	...	John Devreaux
Barbara Gordon	...	Danielle Devreaux
Carla Collins	...	Anchorwoman
James Kee	...	Jasper
Frank McAnulty	...	Purser

Storyline

After the terrible events of the original Universal Soldier testings, the budget has been slashed by the government. Under the orders of a CIA director, a gang of mercenaries take control of the new line of Universal Soldiers and try to use them into helping to smuggle diamonds to the highest foreign buyer. When Luc Deveroux, survivor from the first incident, continues to cause problems he newly found younger brother is taken prisoner along with his news reporter friend Veronica Reynolds.

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Plot Keywords:

cringe | m 16 | gun battle | ak 47 | kickboxing | 

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Taglines:

No memory. No emotion. No mercy... Until one of them decides to become human again.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Universal Soldier II

Filming Locations:

Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Catalyst Entertainment Production, Durrant Fox Productions Inc., Rigel Independent Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the soldiers in the lab is called William Striker - a reference to the X-Men character William Stryker who also tried to develop a super-human soldier.

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Connections

Spun-off from Universal Soldier (1992)

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Soundtracks

The Blue Danube
Written by Johann Strauss
Courtesy of Morning Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Universally Pants: Boredom and yawns

[Just in case you don't know, this is an 'un-official' sequel to Universal Soldier. The 'proper' sequel is Universal Soldier: The Return.]

To make a decent, or semi-decent action film, a budget is somewhat obligatory. With Universal Soldier II, someone clearly forgot this rule or squandered the whole thing on getting Gary Busey, Jeff Wincott and Burt Reynolds to humiliate themselves. (The lack-of-budget theory is backed up by the end credits which say 'sponsored by Canada' or something equally silly.)

To be fair on the film, some people do look like they're trying. Matt Battaglia looks desperate to pretend he's acting, and the woman has a good go at delivering her dodgy lines. The director appears to have made the most effort by using numerous camera gimmicks to liven up the non-action. Sadly, these gimmicks are off-putting, look stupid and just highlight the boredom of the boring bits (i.e. 90% of the film).

The most enjoyable aspects of the film, were a) Gary Busey (who seems to be developing a very strange vocal problem) acting badly and b) Burt Reynolds (unseen most of the time) putting on the WORST irish accent of all time and also acting very badly.

Seen as a double-bill with Universal Soldier III, and with a healthy dose of alcohol, this could be a good evening's entertainment, but only in a so-bad-it's-actually-bad-but-funny way.

Perhaps a triple-pack of Universal Soldier II, III and 'The Return' could be marketed as some sort of torture weapon.