UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION (John Hyams, 2009)

[Moltisanti]

Hopefully more and more folks will get a chance to see this one soon. It really turned out so much better than I could have anticipated. Even though Dolph's role is limited, I'd be willing to be that in terms of actual screen time he's in REGENERATION more than he was in something like JOHNNY MNEMONIC. I'm sure he has more scenes in MNEMONIC but they were all pretty short ones in that movie. Here he gets some really long scenes to show off the struggle going on with his character.

Movie looks top-notch on Blu-Ray and the Lundgren/Hyams commentary is worth a listen. Fingers crossed that it's a big hit.

[Jox]

I dunno he got some good monologues in JM and well we know his role got even more butchered in the international version than in the Japanese (which still seems like it didn't feature all his scenes).

But anyway this cameo here is awesome too even though it's flaw is to be frustrating anytime his scenes end! I think it's already on a good way to be a big hit.

[udar55]

I watched this last night and enjoyed the hell out of it. We all know that Hyams had limited access to both of his name stars and but he still manages to weave a nice story that involves them. Lundgren's role is maybe 15 minutes of screen time, but he performs the best as a suddenly philosophical Universal Soldier. Van Damme looks haggard (he has for a while) but it seems to fit his role of a breaking down cyborg. Hyams has a flair for action and stages some great fights. The violence is surprisingly graphic during the film's last third with Lundgren's send off being the highlight. For anyone into MMA, aside from the obvious Arlovski, there is current UFC fighter Mike Pyle in a substantial role as a US military officer.

[Jox]

Another BD review
http://blueraycenter.com/2010/02/02/uni ... ay-review/

and a good review for the Singapore theatrical release
http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/uni ... nning.html

[Jox]

While the discussions are going full speed on the VD forum, some have discussed it back and forth with director John Hyams who gives great detailed insights:

http://thevandammefans.vandammefan.net/ ... 874&page=4

http://thevandammefans.vandammefan.net/ ... hp?t=10897

[MikeR]

Just checked the US Blu-Ray.

As I said before, there is no region coding on this disk so it will play anywhere on the World. You don't need to go and hunt out a region-free Blu-Ray player for this disk alone, your regular PS3 will work just fine.

The picture isn't the best I've seen by a long way, there's quite a lot of noise in the image, but unless you're a total cinema freak or have an immense screen, it's not going to bother you. The colours are good, the sound is well mixed, in fact the only drawback is that there isn't nearly enough of you-know-who kicking seven bells out of people.

I got mine through MovieTyme here in the UK and it took 3 days to deliver - which is less time than Amazon took to deliver 'Edge of Darkness' (the original BBC series which is so much better than the remake being foisted upon us by Mel Gibson).

M.

[Jox]

Overseas box-office

Philippines $93,154
http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/philippin ... k=2&p=.htm (1st week, 17 screens, avg $1,841)
http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/philippin ... k=3&p=.htm (2nd week, 12 screens, avg $2,253)
Note how the average per screen in 2nd week went from $1,841 to $2,253

Malaysia $19,338
http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/malaysia/ ... k=4&p=.htm (1st week, 20 screens, avg $967)

[Warchild]

Are those numbers any good in those countries, does it mean it's doing well??
How about Europe isn't this movie going to be released in any european country, it will really suck if it doesn't

[Jox]

I don't really know because I'm not used to see any numbers from there but it just seems average (although the average per screen is pretty good).

[Warchild]

How come noone here as posted a review yet regarding this movie, February 9 is the release of US3 here in Canada, i will buy it tomorrow and review it

[lhz]

I suppose there is french subtitle for this canadian edition ?
If yes, time is came for me to order it because there isn't release date for France
and I'm waiting for your review Warchild

[Tom]

How come noone here as posted a review yet regarding this movie, February 9 is the release of US3 here in Canada, i will buy it tomorrow and review it

My review:
http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedbac ... ation.html

[MFS]

In short, I think this is a very good movie. Shockingly good, in fact. I would even say its one of the best action movies of the last ten years, and without a doubt the best DTV-movie I've ever seen. Thrilling, violent, dark, intense, with great "eastern-european" atmosphere (not the cheap kind), and surprisingly capable acting performances - especially Dolph, who gets some poetic, almost haunting lines of dialogue. So I give Universal Soldier Regeneration a grade of 4 out of 5, and I'm planning to buy the Blu-Ray when it gets here.

[Nofear]

I have to agree with MFS, I have had the Blu Ray now about three weeks. Although the picture quality is not the greatest, this is a simple, fight fest.

The story is pretty weak, but it doesn't have to be intellectual. Andrei, more than holds his own in this film.

Dolph for me, steals this film. He oozes bad ass. Simple!

I don't see this as a JC or Lundgren flick, I never did when I saw it a while ago. It's a film with them in it.

take it as you will, this is a very well shot action flick, the sound, score and choreography more than live up to cinematic releases.

[Jox]

BOX OFFICE
It opened at #3 in the United Arab Emirates (right after AVATAR and UP IN THE AIR) grossing $173,432 in the first week with 21 screens, now totaling $296,876. It's now at $223,423 in Malaysia.