Universal Soldier - The Return (1999)

6% of critics liked it
(52 reviews)
34% of users liked it
(42,645 ratings)

Jean-Claude Van Damme returns as cybernetic warrior Luc Deveraux in this sequel to the 1992 action hit. After barely surviving his experiences as a part-human/part-robot Universal Soldier, Luc has opted to stay out of the front lines and work with a military project to refine and perfect the system.… More Jean-Claude Van Damme returns as cybernetic warrior Luc Deveraux in this sequel to the 1992 action hit. After barely surviving his experiences as a part-human/part-robot Universal Soldier, Luc has opted to stay out of the front lines and work with a military project to refine and perfect the system. However, something goes wrong (as they so often do in films like this), and S.E.T.H. (Michael Jai White), the android supercomputer leading the new breed of soldiers, suddenly develops a murderous mind of his own. Soon S.E.T.H. is leading his fellow war machines on a rampage, and Luc is the only one who can stop them. The supporting cast includes Heidi Schanz and wrestling star Bill Goldberg. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Mic Rodgers
Written By: Richard Rothstein, Dean Devlin
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Aug 28, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
An underwhelming follow-up to one of the career-stalled action star's better efforts.
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
This SF action sequel must have been slapped together fast: live-action stunts created by uninspired editing lead up to computer-generated imagery that's just as lame.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Van Damme's acting skills remains undetectable.
Tom Keogh, Film.com
A screenwriter's desperate imagination!
Sean Means, Film.com
Universal Soldier: The Return is a letdown!
Betsy Sherman, Boston Globe
Its sequel is devoid of personality and has an annoying gratuitous sentimental streak.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
There are better action movies out there. Period.
Dave Robinson, Apollo Guide
Extras on the disc are in the form of three featurettes.
David Keyes, Cinemaphile.org
Please, even if it means offsetting a planned schedule, do not see this movie. It could be the biggest mistake of your life. I should know: I made it.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Filling out and greying at the temples, Van Damme is far from convincing, even in the tedious fight sequences.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Close your eyes and repeat after me: pro wrestlers must never ever EVER try to act.
Tom Meek, Film Threat
Hopefully this is the last we have seen of the Unisol series, but unfortunately the dearth of creativity in Hollywood, will allow it to live for another abysmal dumbing.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The kindest thing I can say about the plot is that it's brief, lasting a little over eighty minutes.
Jamie Graham, Sight and Sound
A disappointing entry to the sci-fi / action-movie canon.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
I would suggest that you use this film solely as a form of torture.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
In addition to watching a thoroughly lousy movie, you'll lose an hour and a half of your life you might otherwise spend on considerably more pleasant endeavors, such as having your feet scraped by a podiatrist's scapel...
Susan Granger, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Pow! Bam! Jab! Zap!
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
One generic set piece comes after another, ultimately blurring into one unmemorable whole by the end of the film.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

"Universal Soldier: The Return" isn't what you think it might be if you saw the original Universal Soldier movie that starred Van Damme. Jean-Claude Van Damme is not one of the universal soldiers in this movie, he's a human going up against many evil universal… More
"Universal Soldier: The Return" isn't what you think it might be if you saw the original Universal Soldier movie that starred Van Damme. Jean-Claude Van Damme is not one of the universal soldiers in this movie, he's a human going up against many evil universal soldiers including wrestling star, Goldberg, and Seth (martial artist, Michael Jai White). "Universal Soldier: The Return" isn't really a good movie, but it does have a lot of good special effects, and fighting sequences. The first 50 minutes of the movie isn't that great, but the last 40 minutes of the movie is some of the best action and fighting sequences I've seen in awhile. If you like Van Damme movies or movies with some good action, I recommend seeing "Universal Soldier: The Return." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. 40 minutes of great action, otherwise, eh.
Jason S

Not all that good. I thought it was best to just leave it alone after the first one.
Ginny

Van Damme Naked whoohoo at that bum shot! ;D!!! lmao!
Dean M

Good to see Jean-Claude Van Damme returns in his role and I think the original is better than this sequel because it has few exciting action sequences.
Steven V

This is a good movie, but I think the original is better than this sequel because it has few exciting action sequences.
Joseph E

I felt so cheated.
Curt C

The long awaited film where Van Damme finally becomes the man to end Goldberg's undefeated streak.
Marcus W

The first one was big, stupid and fun - mainly thanks to Lundgren. This one is neither big nor fun, just stupid. Example: Van Damme used to be one of these so he knows how strong they are yet he STILL continually tries to kick them to death...in vain. Poor film - unsurprisingly.
jason d

I saw this in theatres and couldn't stop laughing. THE FEEL GOOD MOVIE OF THAT SUMMER!