Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
Luc Deveraux, the heroic former Universal Soldier, is about to be thrown into action once again. When SETH, the supercomputer-controlled ultra-warrior, decides to take revenge and destroy its creators, only Luc can stop it. All hell breaks loose as Luc battles SETH and a deadly team of perfect soldiers in a struggle that pits man against machine and good against evil.
Universal Soldier: The Return is a by-the-numbers late-90s action sequel that recycles familiar man-vs-machine tropes without adding anything distinctive. The plot is formulaic and predictable, pitting Van Damme against a supercomputer villain with minimal tension or originality. Acting is serviceable at best, with wooden performances throughout. Cinematography is generic direct-to-action fare with competent but unremarkable staging. The ending resolves predictably with no surprises. Novelty scores lowest as this is a deeply derivative sequel that retreads ground without any distinctive voice or creative ambition.