Universal Soldier

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2:25

Universal Soldier

R

Released Jul 10, 1992

1h 44m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

During the Vietnam War, soldier Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) finds that his superior officer, Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren), has turned violently deranged, and the two fight to the death. After their bodies are retrieved, they are placed into a secret program in which they are reanimated and trained to become unquestioning killing machines. While Devereaux and Scott initially have no memory of their former lives, glimpses of their pasts start to return, rekindling their intense conflict.

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Critics Consensus

Universal Soldier unites a pair of veteran action stars behind a potentially intriguing premise, but on this battlefield, entertainment value is largely AWOL.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Both Van Damme and Lundgren are about as interesting as soup cans, so the main appeal of the picture is waiting for these soup cans to puncture or flatten each other in ever more horrific ways.

Rated: 2/4

May 26, 2022

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

This thick-headed item is miraculously well put together.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 13, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an irresistibly broad setup that's employed to expectedly (and appropriately) larger-than-life effect by Emmerich...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 11, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Fortunately, the characters all behave seriously, frequently stifling any hint of empathy - but their dialogue and actions scream of silliness.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 25, 2020

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

All brawn, no brains, but grows on you if you can prefer your action in one big, dumb hulking slab of alpha-male aggression.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 20, 2020

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NoneYa B

One of the greatest action films of the 90’s

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Legendaryrey 7

One of my favorite movies of all time and the best movie of universal soldier franchise.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/24

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Nico B

Underrated flick. It's stupid, but so stupid that it's fun again. Van Damme works well as an almost emotionless soldier and Lundgren is a wonderfully over-the-top villain who makes necklaces out of other people's ears. Why? Because he is evil and crazy. The action in this film is unironically well done and really fun and the pacing is great too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

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Audience Member

The best movie of universal soldier franchise, one of the best movies of Jean Claude Van-Damme & Dolph Lundgren and one of the best movies of Roland Emmerich.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

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Audience Member

I remember watching this movie over and over on vhs as a kid and loved it. Even when I view it today it's gives a nostalgia feeling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/26/24

Full Review

Jerod S

In the robocop and terminator era, Universal Soldier tried to bring in a veteran plot line that was meh. Van Damme brings a lot of fight but not a lot of character.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

Full Review

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Roland Emmerich

Director

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Luc Deveraux

Dolph Lundgren

Andrew Scott (GR13)

Ally Walker

Veronica Roberts

Ed O'Ross

Col. Perry

Jerry Orbach

Dr. Christopher Gregor

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Universal Soldier: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

During the Vietnam War, soldier Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) finds that his superior officer, Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren), has turned violently deranged, and the two fight to the death. After their bodies are retrieved, they are placed into a secret program in which they are reanimated and trained to become unquestioning killing machines. While Devereaux and Scott initially have no memory of their former lives, glimpses of their pasts start to return, rekindling their intense conflict.

Director: Roland Emmerich
Producer: Craig Baumgarten, Joel B. Michaels, Allen Shapiro
Screenwriter: Richard David Rothstein, Christopher Leitch, Dean Devlin
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Centropolis Film Productions, IndieProd, Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 10, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, CDS

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