UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING (John Hyams, 2012)

[Jox]

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/sc ... the-brain/

'Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning' Hits VOD in the Brain
Action reboot revives the sci-fi action franchise as psycho-mystery

BY RICHARD WHITTAKER

The whole point of Fantastic Fest is to be blindsided by films you don't see coming. Normally it's some unheard of director, or a microbudget genre piece with no buzz. You don't expect it to be the latest installment of the Universal Soldier franchise, available now on VOD.

The audience for the world premier of Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning probably wasn't expecting much. They were probably expecting more of what they got in 2009's overdue addition to the B-movie series, Universal Soldier: Regeneration. After all, it brings back director John Hyams, plus Regeneration's headline addition, MMA beast Andrei Arlovski, and the dual-headed powerhouse that made the original such a cult classic, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. What they got was a surprisingly bleak, smart and multi-layered action fest, like Philip K. Dick's Apocalypse Now – with more punching.

The influences may be surprising: For Hyams, it was Gaspar Noe (who Hyams called "the master of subjective moviemaking), Michael Haneke, and the equally ambiguous narrative of Angel Heart. "There's a lot of Cronenberg," Hyams told the Fantastic Fest premiere audience. "I loved that kind of cross-genre film making that he did, and also how his movie can go from very hallucinatory, like Videodrome, to straight-up, like The Fly or Scanners."

Hyams explained that his plan was to build on the franchise by taking a whole new perspective on the original conceit. In the first film, Van Damme and Lundgren play the eponymous Universal Soldiers or UniSols: Dead soldiers resurrected through military technology as amoral, programmable killers. "What would have become of the Luc Devereaux character (played by Van Damme) if he had gone off the reservation? Basically, he would have started his own militia and he would be taking vengeance upon his oppressors." Hyams said, "The whole concept of this movie was, 'let's tell this story from the perspective of the monster.'"

In this case, that monster is John (Scott Adkins) who finds himself haunted by memories that can't possibly be his, damning evidence that he did things he couldn't have done, and visions of Devereaux. Rather than the flat exposition of the earlier films, Hyams treated this "almost like a detective story, like Marlowe or Chinatown. So we only know as much as our protagonist, and our protagonist is very confused throughout this entire movie."

That lead to the heavy use of POV – a key decision, considering the film was shot in 3D – and the heavy use of long takes. The culmination was an extremely complex chain fight, where Adkins clears a tunnel of UniSol aggressors. That kind of shot drags the audience into the action, but has huge consequences for how a fight sequence – or any sequence – is filmed. Hyams held up as an example the trip through the refugee camp in Children of Men. He said, "My understanding is that they would probably spend half a day resetting squibs, resetting all these things, and if that doesn't work, you probably start again the next day."

[Jox]

Swedish release date is January 16, 2013 on BD/DVD from Noble Entertainment
http://nobleentertainment.com/movie/Uni ... _Reckoning

[Jox]

Another great conversation with John Hyams on the Frotcast/Filmdrunk
http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2012/10/fro ... john-hyams

mp3:
http://media18.podbean.com/pb/6e66c56e4 ... unk124.mp3

[Nikolai Cherenco]

I saw the movie yesterday. Strange, experimental, hard. The action scenes are very good and Dolph is playing his part as always great and makes his fight scenes this time without doubles. Van Damme is drowned in melancholy, but it fits well. However, he should also once again take on other roles. Part three I like better overall, but part four is already something special.

7/10

[shooby]

If I remember the last time he had a double cause his schedule was he had an other role at the same time

[Nikolai Cherenco]

If I remember the last time he had a double cause his schedule was he had an other role at the same time

Yes, I know. Nevertheless, I liked the third Unisol. But recently it was with Dolph unfortunately normal, that his fight scenes were doubled for. I can understand that to be doubled for because time was short, more and more scenes, but for the fans it's a shame. Scenes for which you need not a double, must make himself the star. Especially martial arts stars like Van Damme and Lundgren. That still wants to see the fan. If not, the fan feels are not taken seriously.

[Jox]

The problem is not doubles because there always have been shots done with doubles, the problem is when you notice them too obviously.

[Nikolai Cherenco]

I have expanded my first post something.

An action star thrives on its credibility. You must also be doubled for a few scenes. No question. That was so, and is also so. But it is a fact that more and more straightforward scenes are made of a double. Nobody likes that.

[Nikolai Cherenco]

The problem is not doubles because there always have been shots done with doubles, the problem is when you notice them too obviously.

Right, if you do it, then you should also have to make an effort. I do not expect that each scene is made ​​of the star itself, but normal fight scenes should be possible, especially in a martial arts star. Time or not. And if you doubled for, then please but unremarkable.
Of course I notice the scenes more often, because they occur more frequently than before (at the Martial Arts Stars). I love Dolph, but he does so much broken. The other action stars too. Rather a movie less but he makes the important scenes themselves (money or not). The fan is not angry and continues to buy his movies.

Sorry for my double post.

[Jox]

http://www.cityonfire.com/universal-sol ... 12-review/

Director John Hyams mentioned watching “Angel Heart” and “Jacob’s Ladder” while writing the script and there’s a similarity in the way Adkins goes from a place of ignorance to knowledge – a knowledge he may come to regret.

Both of those influences are horror movies, which is indicative of “Day of Reckoning’s” tone. Director Hyams shares some similarities with his contemporary Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive“) in that both men know how to deliver visually seductive genre movies that blindside the viewer with their sobering portrayal of violence. Early in “Reckoning” when Andrei Arlovski’s brainwashed killer stalks the corridors of a sleazy sex shop with shotgun in hand, mowing down civilians, it’s clear we’re not in popcorn movie territory. In Hyams’ films, violence carries consequences.

It’s a credit to action choreographer Larnell Stovall that even though most of “Reckoning” was filmed in the spring of 2011, the fight scenes are nearly as vicious and impressive as anything in this year’s genre breakout “The Raid.”

On the upside it’s a gorgeously-lit film, with apartment corridors straight out of “The Shining”; and there’s a car chase that would make William Friedkin proud.

Director John Hyams isn’t content to merely serve up your typical action movie dreck. He’s made it his mission to challenge audiences and their expectations of what a film like “Universal Soldier” can do. As such, the violence here isn’t presented as ‘entertainment’ and it might take more than one viewing of “Day” to truly appreciate it – as well as piece together the plot. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to cinema buffs who have been following John Hyams’ career: the director has spent the past few years quietly expanding the limits of the action genre. “Day of Reckoning” represents his boldest statement yet.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10

[dolphage]

http://www.cityonfire.com/universal-soldier-day-of-reckoning-2012-review/

the fight scenes are nearly as vicious and impressive as anything in this year’s genre breakout “The Raid.”

I love The Raid, but it's the action is MUCH better in Day Of Reckoning.

[Jox]

I definitely have to check THE RAID myself (and US4 but am waiting for a proper Blu-ray or theatrical opportunity).

[Nikolai Cherenco]

http://www.cityonfire.com/universal-soldier-day-of-reckoning-2012-review/

the fight scenes are nearly as vicious and impressive as anything in this year’s genre breakout “The Raid.”

I love The Raid, but it's the action is MUCH better in Day Of Reckoning.

Absolutely. Day of Reckoning is special. The Raid is entertainment genre that focuses on the action. I liked the movie well.

[Jox]

French BD&DVD release by Wild Side on January 23, 2013:
http://www.dts-phile.com/wordpress/2012 ... vier-2013/

Special features
Audio commentary
Photo gallery
Trailers

Pre-order:
http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?_ ... u+jugement

4 films saga boxset:
http://www.amazon.fr/Saga-Universal-Sol ... 737&sr=1-1

[bomaz]

Sad, I'd have expected more special features with a Wild Side release (at least we'll have a nice artwork I think).