Universal Soldier: The Return

Universal Soldier: The Return

Watch in the UK

Watch in the US

Data provided by

6 / 10

1 Review

Rate this movie:

6 Based on 1 Votes

10

0
9

0
8

0
7

0
6

1
5

0
4

0
3

0
2

0
1

0

Overview

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.

Media

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN [1999] | Official Trailer

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Michael Jai White

Director:

Mic Rodgers

Writer:

William Malone, John Fasano, Christopher Leitch, Dean Devlin, Richard Rothstein

Release Date:

1999-08-05

Run Time:

82m

Tagline:

Prepare to become obsolete.

Genres:

Action Science Fiction

Keywords:

computer program destiny super computer timebomb

Financials and Popularity

Budget: 33,500,000.00$

Revenue: 10,667,893.00$

Vote Average: 5.9/10

Vote Count: 1338 Votes

Movie Popularity: 2.7589

Spoken Languages: English

Review

View all reviews

Insomniacs Reviews
- 27 April 2026 at 10:36 pm

6 Based on 1 Votes
10

0
9

0
8

0
7

0
6

1
5

0
4

0
3

0
2

0
1

0
⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 6/10 THE SUMMARY Seven years after the original, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns as Luc Deveraux—but there’s a catch. He’s no longer a cold, undead soldier; he’s now a "technical advisor" who’s been humanized and has a daughter. The plot kicks off when SETH, a sentient supercomputer designed to run the new UniSol program, goes rogue after being told its budget is being cut. SETH takes over a physical body (Michael Jai White) and leads an army of super-soldiers on a rampage. It’s a loud, flashy, late-90s action flick that trades the gothic noir of the first film for neon lights and heavy metal. THE PROS This film is a win for the pure spectacle of the fight scenes; the addition of Michael Jai White is a total belter, as his speed and martial arts prowess provide a sincere challenge for JCVD. The action is a celebratory explosion of late-90s stunts, featuring plenty of smashed glass, motorcycle chases, and high-kicking choreography. It’s a sincere attempt to bring the franchise back to the big screen, and seeing Van Damme back in his signature role is a nostalgic treat for fans of the original. The soundtrack, featuring bands like Megadeth, gives the whole thing a high-octane energy that fits the era perfectly. THE CONS It earns a 6/10 because the plot is a massive head-scratcher; the decision to turn Luc into a normal guy with a "human soul" completely removes the tragic, "Frankenstein" edge that made the first movie interesting. The dialogue is a bit of a cringe-fest, often feeling like it was written by a computer trying to sound "edgy." It misses the 7/10 mark because the villain, while physically imposing, is just another "evil AI" trope that lacks the personal, psychotic charm of Dolph Lundgren’s Andrew Scott. The whole production feels a bit uninspired and lacks the cinematic polish of the first entry. THE VERDICT A 6/10. Decent if you’re in the mood for some mindless, late-90s carnage and want to see JCVD do his thing. It is a vault essential for those who want to see the "official" attempt to reboot the series before it went back to basics years later. Go and watch it for the Michael Jai White fight—it’s the business for a bit of turn-your-brain-off action. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA • Continuity Chaos: The film completely ignores the two TV-movie sequels (*Brothers in Arms* and *Unfinished Business*), effectively making them non-canonical in the "Van Damme" timeline.• Career Low: Jean-Claude Van Damme has famously expressed regret over making this sequel, once referring to it as a mistake that didn't live up to the standard of the original film.• WCW Connection: To help promote the film, the production featured professional wrestler Bill Goldberg as the UniSol "Romeo," leading to several cross-promotional appearances on WCW Monday Nitro. THE VIBE Like a loud arcade in 1999. It smells like hair gel, overheated electronics, and cheap energy drinks. It makes you want to do a split on a kitchen counter, smash a computer monitor, and realize that some sequels are better left in the "failed prototype" stage.

Videos

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN [1999] | Official Trailer

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Michael Jai White

Xander Berkeley

Daniel von Bargen

Karis Paige Bryant

Related Movies To

Universal Soldier: The Return

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.

Run time: 132m Tagline: If you're searching for new adventure, "this is the way." Release: 2026-05-20

Director: Jon Favreau

Stars: Dave Filoni Hemky Madera Jeremy Allen White Jonny Coyne Martin Scorsese Matthew Willig Paul Sun-Hyung Lee Pedro Pascal Sigourney Weaver Steve Blum

Children of Men

Children of Men

10 / 10

1 Review

In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.

Run time: 109m Tagline: The year 2027: the last days of the human race. No child has been born for 18 years. He must protect our only hope. Release: 2006-09-22

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Stars: Charlie Hunnam Chiwetel Ejiofor Clare-Hope Ashitey Clive Owen Danny Huston Julianne Moore Michael Caine Oana Pellea Pam Ferris Peter Mullan

Oldboy

Oldboy

10 / 10

1 Review

With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.

Run time: 120m Tagline: 15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance. Release: 2003-11-21

Director: Park Chan-wook

Stars: Choi Min-sik Ji Dae-han Kang Hye-jung Kim Byeong-ok Lee Seung-shin Oh Dal-su Oh Tae-kyung Yoo Ji-tae Yoo Yeon-seok Yoon Jin-seo

Rise of the Conqueror

Rise of the Conqueror

7 / 10

1 Review

In the 14th-century, as the Silk Road crumbles and rival factions tear the land apart, fearless warrior Timur emerges from exile. Stripped of everything, he fights to unite the fractured kingdoms, using strategy and sheer will to carve an empire from chaos. Undefeated in battle and widely regarded as one of history’s greatest military leaders and tacticians, not to mention one of its most brutal, Timur would found the Timurid Empire, which ruled over modern-day Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia.

Run time: 119m Tagline: His legacy will be written in fire and blood. Release: 2026-04-09

Director: Jacob Schwarz

Stars: Arazou Baker Christian Mortensen Dulguun Odkhuu Joshua Jo Mahesh Jadu Paul Marlon Sanzhar Madi Sayed Badreya Umit Ulgen Yulduz Rajabova

Apex

Apex

8 / 10

1 Review

A grieving woman pushing her limits on a solo adventure in the Australian wild is ensnared in a twisted game with a cunning killer who thinks she's prey.

Run time: 96m Tagline: Hunt. Survive. Release: 2026-04-24

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Stars: Aaron Pedersen Bessie Holland Caitlin Stasey Charlize Theron Duncan Fellows Eric Bana Matt Whelan Rob Carlton Taron Egerton Zachary Garred

Collections

Universal Soldier Collection

Reviews for

Universal Soldier: The Return

Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 27 April 2026 at 11:36 PM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 6/10
THE SUMMARY
Seven years after the original, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns as Luc Deveraux—but there’s a catch. He’s no longer a cold, undead soldier; he’s now a “technical advisor” who’s been humanized and has a daughter. The plot kicks off when SETH, a sentient supercomputer designed to run the new UniSol program, goes rogue after being told its budget is being cut. SETH takes over a physical body (Michael Jai White) and leads an army of super-soldiers on a rampage. It’s a loud, flashy, late-90s action flick that trades the gothic noir of the first film for neon lights and heavy metal.
THE PROS
This film is a win for the pure spectacle of the fight scenes; the addition of Michael Jai White is a total belter, as his speed and martial arts prowess provide a sincere challenge for JCVD. The action is a celebratory explosion of late-90s stunts, featuring plenty of smashed glass, motorcycle chases, and high-kicking choreography. It’s a sincere attempt to bring the franchise back to the big screen, and seeing Van Damme back in his signature role is a nostalgic treat for fans of the original. The soundtrack, featuring bands like Megadeth, gives the whole thing a high-octane energy that fits the era perfectly.
THE CONS
It earns a 6/10 because the plot is a massive head-scratcher; the decision to turn Luc into a normal guy with a “human soul” completely removes the tragic, “Frankenstein” edge that made the first movie interesting. The dialogue is a bit of a cringe-fest, often feeling like it was written by a computer trying to sound “edgy.” It misses the 7/10 mark because the villain, while physically imposing, is just another “evil AI” trope that lacks the personal, psychotic charm of Dolph Lundgren’s Andrew Scott. The whole production feels a bit uninspired and lacks the cinematic polish of the first entry.
THE VERDICT
A 6/10. Decent if you’re in the mood for some mindless, late-90s carnage and want to see JCVD do his thing. It is a vault essential for those who want to see the “official” attempt to reboot the series before it went back to basics years later. Go and watch it for the Michael Jai White fight—it’s the business for a bit of turn-your-brain-off action.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
• Continuity Chaos: The film completely ignores the two TV-movie sequels (*Brothers in Arms* and *Unfinished Business*), effectively making them non-canonical in the “Van Damme” timeline.
• Career Low: Jean-Claude Van Damme has famously expressed regret over making this sequel, once referring to it as a mistake that didn’t live up to the standard of the original film.
• WCW Connection: To help promote the film, the production featured professional wrestler Bill Goldberg as the UniSol “Romeo,” leading to several cross-promotional appearances on WCW Monday Nitro.
THE VIBE
Like a loud arcade in 1999. It smells like hair gel, overheated electronics, and cheap energy drinks. It makes you want to do a split on a kitchen counter, smash a computer monitor, and realize that some sequels are better left in the “failed prototype” stage.

Leave a Review Cancel reply

X

Welcome to our website