FIRST TIME WATCHING: Universal Soldier (1992) REACTION (Movie Commentary)

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[@robertnguyen9493]

Her: “I figure you’re French or something because of your accent.” JCVD: “What accent?” Shit gets me every time!

[@djyanno]

Dolph's acting surprised me when I saw this movie again. He is doing a great job

[@danfors1333]

I think it's his best movie when it comes to acting. Creed 2 is his second best.

[@JohnSmith-jn7nc]

"These guys are like mini terminators." That's excatly how Van Damme described the movie in the making of documentary.

[@tonyolsson4376]

Other Dolph recommendations from me would be "The Punisher" and "Showdown in Little Tokyo"

[@mcgilj1]

I'd throw in "I Come in Peace" / "Dark Angel"..

[@time2chill121]

There’s only so many

[@firstname4337]

ok, now you have to watch "Soldier" made in 1998 starring Kurt Russell

[@TheFloorface]

seconded

[@megagearsx8432]

yes

[@quixote6942]

GREAT Movie!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Soldier is a guilty pleasure of mine. Bought the DVD when it first came out. Love that it's set in the Blade Runner universe.

[@danlincoln8987]

Over The Top....It's an under rated classic

[@quixote6942]

An Overlooked Jean Claude Movie is called "Desert Heat". The Setting looks A LOT like Perfection in "Tremors" and has Danny Trejo and Pat Morita ("Mr. Miyagi" from Karate Kid) in it.

[@LukeWatts85]

This is Dolph Lundgren's and Van Damme's best performance individually, but them together is what makes it so good!!! That said Dolph is the main reason this works

[@jeffthompson9622]

Dolph Lundgren was a European kickboxing champion before becoming an actor. He is well equipped to be scary. He has a degree in chemical engineering, as well.

[@davespringer777]

Dolph Lundgren is Swedish, and he does a fine Americanaccent. I love Van Damme, but he and Arnold never put in any work when it came to accents. I guess they didn't need to. Edit: Watch Soldier starring Kurt Russell!

[@wantutosigh1117]

There is something about Swedes and their ability to more easily drop their accent that is a factor here. But it's true that Van Damme's accent definitely hurt him a bit. As for Arnold, his accent is a huge part of his personality and success.

[@Divamarja_CA]

I was surprised by the quality of his accent too! Nice that he did it.

[@orangewarm1]

classic. wait until you see Hard Target -- that's a crazy film.

[@lemonheart.3087]

Absolute classic! Lionheart is also another good one. I wouldn't mind you watching more movies with Dolph too

[@jasonwebb71]

Am I correct in thinking that Lionheart is the one that was released as AWOL in some places? I seem to recall his character was called Leon, and his fighter name was Lionheart. I first saw the movie around the time that Street Fighter 2 was the hot game, so it sort of reminded me of that.

[@wantutosigh1117]

Yep. Lionheart is the better title. I would also like to see him react to some Dolph movies. Like Showdown in Little Tokyo, Red Scorpion, I come in Peace, The Punisher etc.

[@lemonheart.3087]

@@jasonwebb71 Yes that's the one.

[@dazza818]

@@wantutosigh1117 A.W.O.L is a better title. Thats what he is in the film. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@wantutosigh1117]

@@dazza818 No sir. Lionheart is who he is.

[@adamworld8823]

Dolph Lundgren is always great as an antagonist

[@mariescott]

Universal Soldier is actually a series of movies. It was followed by two made for tv movies Universal Soldier 2 and 3 with different actors playing Luc and Veronica. They were supposed to be a miniseries meant for a potential spin-off. Universal Soldier: The Return was released in theatres with Van Damme playing Luc again and having to take down Michael Jai White. It was a direct sequel to the original and ignored the events in the made for tv movies. Then they did Universal Soldier: Regeneration which again ignored the tv movies as well as the theatrical sequel. There was a final one called Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning. It is a sequel to Universal Soldier: Regeneration and ignores all the other ones. In that one Van Damme's character is now the bad guy. Lundgren also comes back in Regeneration and Day of Reckoning. A Van Damme movie I would suggest is Hard Target. it has Arnold Vosloo who played Imhotep in the Mummy movies. My favorite Lundgren movie is Showdown in Little Tokyo. He stars in that with Brandon Lee the son of Bruce Lee. It's also got Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa who played Shang Sung in the original Mortal Combat movie. I would also suggest Rapid Fire with Brandon Lee.

[@peterschmidt4348]

Please watch the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie "Timecop" (1994)!

[@jeffthompson9622]

That's a good one. I also liked Timecop 2, starring Jason Scott Lee. It involves an interesting moral dilemma.

[@sylvienygaard1630]

Yes that is a good one 👍🏻

[@franticrage73]

Timecop is his quality, bigger budget flick. One of my faves.

[@TrueBagPipeRock]

there is a book called American Shaolin. The Chinese monks really liked Van Damme out of all the actors for his kicks. Shows the power of ballet flexibility. He was one of the few they were impressed with.

[@redryder6523]

Some soldiers who fought in Vietnam wore the ears of enemy soldiers they killed around their neck. A friend of mine who seved over there said he had 6 around his neck. When I asked him why they did it he said it was mostly to freak out the "cherry's" which was a term for a replacement soldier who hadn't seen combat yet.

[@mycarispassat]

Watched this 100’s of times as a kid… still holds up well today. The music and tone is very menacing.

[@LJMiho]

_"Bro, why do they insist on making Van Damme, the most Belgian actor ever, an American in every movie?"_ Boy, and you ain't even seen *_Street Fighter_* (1994) yet. Also, I hope you do a reaction to *_The Quest_* (1996) some time later as well. If you loved *_Bloodsport_* like I do, then I feel like you'll also love it as I remember it being the other Jean-Claude Van Damme movie that is the most similar to it.

[@russellhunt2071]

street fighter SUCKS!!!!! Even in that era of crap action movies it sucked hairy sweaty balls all week long that belonged to Rosie O'Donnell,

[@robertwrase6026]

Street fighter is dope! Loved the Quest growing up. Total clone of bloodsport( wasn’t the Quest written by the real Frank Dux?) but it’s great

[@LJMiho]

@@robertwrase6026 It was co-written by both Jean-Claude Van Damme and Frank Dux. So its no wonder its so similar.

[@jp3813]

@@russellhunt2071 O RLY?!

[@danger2bananas]

If you're going to watch a street fighter movie watch the 90s manga version

[@wacky_paintings2]

I saw this in the cinema when it first came out. The end fight was ruined by a gang of about twenty drunk dudes. Every time Van Damme landed a kick or punch they would all shout out "YES". The cinema staff couldn't control them either. Actually looking back on it now it was kind of cool, lol.

[@KrillLiberator]

That wasn't my lot, was it? We did pretty much the same during Mission: Impossible2... Hang on,no, sorry we all got bored and I fell asleep halfway through. We did cheer when the movie ended though. - Never go watch midnight showings when you're full of lager and curry, *despite* what your instincts and peers tell you.

[@wacky_paintings]

@@KrillLiberator It was a cinema in Wales, I don't think I'd be able to stay awake through a mission impossible movie either lol.

[@McPh1741]

Another awesome movie. I love Dolph’s over the top performance near the end. The sequels just can’t compare to the original. It would awesome if you reacted to “Timecop”. Dolph was in a sci-fi action movie called “I Come In Peace” aka “Dark Angel” around the same time that was also pretty good.

[@totomomo18]

Yes I forgot I come in peace very underrated movie.

[@maxducoudray]

I Come In Peace is pretty hilarious.

[@totomomo18]

@@maxducoudray Well it is low budegt but I have seen lots of movies with bigger budgets that are not nearly as enjoyable.

[@maxducoudray]

@@totomomo18 I definitely meant hilarious in a good way!

[@KyleS3m3noff]

Dark Angel was an incredible piece of DTV film making for it's time - you can see they made the most of every single dollar they had, and the concept was really pretty original.

[@JohnWick-yu6je]

Damn i miss movies like this. The nostalgia is real!!

[@adamworld8823]

As others have mentioned Timecop is definitely worth watching!

[@kevinburton3948]

This is my favourite Van Damme film (I even made myself a UNISOL costume for Halloween in 1993). It's also my favourite performance by Lundgren- he had some of the best one liners! Lundgren also delivered the best "robotic" performance as a super soldier (before recalling his past). Bit of trivia- GR76 (who takes a chomp of the raw steak in the supermarket) was played by Rolf Moeller a former competitive body builder turned actor. He is over 6' 5" and used to compete at 290lbs! He went on to step into Arnold's shoes playing Conan in the 1990s tv series "Conan the Adventurer." While this is my favourite JCVD flick- "Hard Target" from 1993 is decent too. It was directed by John Woo known at the time for making Hong Kong martial arts/action films- Hard Target was his 1st American film production. Also stars Lance Henriksen (Bishop from "Aliens") as the villain and he brilliant in the role.

[@CrocodilePile]

Van Damme movies are almost always UNDERRATED while Steven Segeal's are all OVERRATED. But I'm here for you, Capes! Keep up the good work.

[@CapedInformer]

Seagal is another actor I plan on checking out… always appreciated! 💯

[@wantutosigh1117]

@@CapedInformer Seagal's first 5 movies are his best. Not much worth seeing after that.

[@CJJones1978]

Nico is his only great film

[@CrocodilePile]

@@CJJones1978 Executive Decision.

[@spddracer]

@@CrocodilePile lol sneaky devil

[@Equint77]

This movie was pretty big when it was released. It was really meant to kick start his big screen career but i think this was sadly his peak as far as box office. True action popcorn movie. 👍

[@MikeRehfuss]

No, no, he’s right; homeboy IS starting to like this shit! 😂

[@AllegroFitnessArt]

I love this movie; saw it in a theater when it first came out. Another Van Damme film I highly recommend is “Cyborg,” which came out earlier in his career. “Cyborg” is actually the first movie his that I saw, and I was lucky enough to see it in a theater as well.

[@KrillLiberator]

Also spawned the Van Damme-free sequel which was absolute garbage, but features lots of footage of a *luminously* beautiful and very young Angelina Jolie, with a very dated early 90s synth soundtrack. A dreadful film, but with a weirdly wistful, nostalgic and bittersweet mouthfeel because of how in love with Jolie the camera was. Honestly, worth watching only if you've forgotten what a celebrity crush feels like and want reminding.

[@afunnyusername5599]

good choice, i'd completley forgotten this movie existed, i saw this and robocop when i was far too young, murphy getting tortured and the guy going through the combine harvester really helped make me the messed up sociopath i am today. good times.

[@danishhald]

One of my childhood favorites! Saw it in the theater. Watched it a while back and had a laugh about the long ass cross country trip they take at the end to get to his home.

[@ev1Lsect]

Yo, Jean Claude cannot help his accent. Literally. He still sounds the same

[@damienkunoth6365]

Definitely a great movie something you can watch over and over and not get bored of it

[@douchepool7002]

You definitely need to check out two more of his movies I don't hear requested enough and that's Double Impact and Death Warrant.

[@semerahpadi4484]

my childhood was filled with action packed movies that to me is really exciting and awesome. i love this genre.

[@deansamos7372]

Love that your loving these 90s action/martial arts fighting movies. For Van Damme- Do LIonheart, Cyborg, Double Impact, Hard target. For DOLPH!!! You will love SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO. Its co stars BRANDON LEE. BRUCE LEES SON!!!! oh and I Come in Peace is another good Lundgren movie!!!

[@RevengerPhoenix]

Hey, love your reactions, almost nobody reacts to these cult classics. I don’t know if you’re ever gonna read this, but if it hasn’t been suggested, I highly recommend “Lionheart” with JCVD. It is one of his most underrated films, because he blew up a bit with movies like Universal Soldier and Street Fighter. But Lionheart contains more of the spirit of blood sport and Kickboxer. It is the the holy trinity of basic Van Damme movies, before he exploded into sillier and more over the top films. Thanks.

[@15blackshirt]

Dolph Lundgren is also crazy good in the Expendables trilogy; JCVD is really good in The Expendables 2

[@worthalook4870]

Been waiting for someone to do a full reaction for ages. Pressing play right now. Other Van Damme ones from this time to check like Timecop, hard target, double impact, Kickboxer, bloodsport and many more

[@RatelRegalement]

For a complete shift on Dolph Lundgren, Masters of the Universe. Yeah, the He-Man 80s movie. It's.. a trip xD

[@desjohn4268]

First watched this on VHS when I was 10 in 92.... and it blew my mind 🤯💪👍

[@JPuReTaLeNt]

I think this is my third fave of the Van Damme films right behind Kickboxer and Lionheart. I know Bloodsport is most people’s favorite but my list is a bit different

[@maxducoudray]

Excited for this one. A really funny, cheesy Van Damme classic. The art of appreciating Van Damme is steering into the cheese and his best movies are the silliest ones IMO. My recommendation for next would be Double Team. Dennis Rodman really ups the ridiculousness factor. And you’ll get some sweet basketball-themed one-liners.

[@wantutosigh1117]

Much better ones to react to before Double Team.

[@maxducoudray]

@@wantutosigh1117 Obviously everyone will pick different ones. But as I said, I pick that one because I think JCVD is best when silliest and that is the silliest.

[@wantutosigh1117]

@@maxducoudray I'm also thinking about what he would like. I just think he would benefit from more of his classic films first.

[@nitrokid]

I'm really into Unisol body armor design. It was ahead of its time. Looks really good, as if designed in 2020s. Looks very plausible too, if applied to modern soldiers today.

[@davidbrown9237]

Underrated Van Damme movie along with Cyborg imo. As a kid at the time, I preferred his martial arts focussed movies but as an adult, I tend to prefer his more complicated movies

[@tempsitch5632]

JCVD stars in a movie called JCVD. He plays himself being held hostage in a bank robbery in his Belgium hometown. It's probably his best acting. It takes place after he was a big star, lost his kid and money in divorce, and can't get $20 in his pocket. It's sad because even though he's acting, it was real.

[@joecabrera1580]

You should watch Van dam's first ever roll in "No retreat no surrender"

[@MartinFransson]

Yes! It's so cheesy it turns great 😂

[@danteedmunds1820]

The scene with the kid kicking a wooden dummy, great way to damage your shin

[@wantutosigh1117]

Maybe he can come to this one later when he's watched more of Van Dammes classics.

[@trenchy1990]

Hard Target would be the next JCVD movie I recommend. Some of the best Movie Stunts I've seen and it is directed by John Woo (Face/Off, Mission Impossible 2 etc)

[@icecold6801]

That Dolph guy, was also in the movie called Expendables, with Sylvester Stallone. And Claude Van Damme was in Expendables 2

[@blankman9485]

This was one of my favorite movies growing up

[@ll7868]

My dad had a waterbed ever since I was a kid in the 70s right up until he died in 2003. I could never understand how he slept on those things.

[@MartinFransson]

Please check out "Red Scorpion" with Dolph. Russian soldier turns around and fights his own army defending native people. Or something like that 🤣 Haven't seen it in 20 years.

[@wantutosigh1117]

Dolph is such an imposing figure in Red Scorpion.

[@danteedmunds1820]

Dark Angel with Lundgren is classic 80s schlock

[@wantutosigh1117]

It's really not schlock. It's a really solid film with a cool idea and Dolph and Brian Benben have great chemistry..

[@robertmorris8997]

Gunnery Sergeant Agapito Soto, USMC, would say "I wear a backbrace" instead of "I stand corrected". That is known as a "Gunny Sotoism". I hope he's still out there, somewhere.

[@jamieanderson3475]

Picks up phone - “You killed it!”

[@franticrage73]

Double Impact is definitely worth watching, Van Damme playing twins.

[@robertdean925]

Don't forget the blonde babe as well 😍😍😉👌👍

[@TheStoryhasbeensold]

Universal Soldier Regeneration(2009)brings Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lungdren back to together...worth the watch.

[@GreenBeanGreenBean]

CYBORG BRO.....CYBORG!!!!

[@wantutosigh1117]

I CONCUR!!!!!

[@touchstoneaf]

It's funny, I've never seen anyone else watch this one, I used to love it, I haven't watched it in a few years but yeah, it's actually probably my favorite Van Damme flick. Thanks for checking this one out.

[@PicklesandAlex]

Still madly in lurv with Dolph Lundgren 💜.. Still hope you one day react to Big Showdown in Little Tokyo ❤️

[@pokeround]

"Nice necklace. I got one just like it but noses". Still remember that line from seeing it at the cinema. xD. 'Nother good choice and reaction, man.

[@matthewg7167]

There will never be another Vanne Damme! He is the Mario Lemieux of action movies! Sudden Death had some good moments too!

[@filipohman7277]

Awesome Movie and Work Bro Thanks 👍 Greetings from Helsinki Finland 🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸

[@wantutosigh1117]

More Dolph Lundgren movies: Red Scorpion, I come in Peace, Showdown in Little Tokyo, The Punisher, and Army of One.

[@fredwin]

How are you forgetting Johnny Mnemonic?

[@wantutosigh1117]

@@fredwin Well because Dolph isn't in it a ton. Most of his scenes were cut from the final film. Which is a shame because his scenes are great in that movie.

[@fredwin]

@@wantutosigh1117 You have to ask, why would you want to cut a single scene involving what's basically a cybernetic steampunk Dolph Lundgren named The Street Preacher?

[@wantutosigh1117]

@@fredwin bad decision.

[@G02372]

‘A.W.O.L Absent with out leave’ soon? Van Dam doesn’t disappoint once again in this one 👍 😂 🥋

[@gaijin83]

" See... There everywhere... " " Are we having fun yet?? " Best 1 liners 😁😁😁

[@CapedInformer]

“I’m all ears 👂” 😂

[@gaijin83]

@@CapedInformer Hopefully you'll let me keep my ears. I wanna hear your reactions 😁😁😁😁 You don't hear good lasting " 1 liners " anymore in movies of today... it's a lost art really 😄😄😄

[@ironhide238]

Timecop and Sudden Death my Favorite

[@michaelriddick7116]

LOVE this movie!! :) Dolph is a BEAST in it :)

[@wantutosigh1117]

Love this movie and loved your reaction. Van Damme and Dolph are my favorites. At this time the super soldier thing had not been done to death. But a cool twist is that they are reanimated zombies basically. Van Damme's characters name is Luc Devereaux and is from Louisiana where there is a big French population.

[@totomomo18]

Wow what a surprise. You should also do Dolph Languren movies like The Punisher 1989 and Showdown in Little Tokyo with the late Brandon Lee

[@badprotocol1105]

Wow...I LITERALLY was thinking about this movie yesterday wondering why someone hasn't reacted to it! 👍😂

[@G02372]

‘A.W.O.L Absent with out leave’ (AKA Lion heart, I believe) soon? Van Dam doesn’t disappoint once again in this one 👍 😂 🥋

[@frankrodriguez2999]

Showdown in little Tokyo (1991) Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee

[@jeffthompson9622]

Robert Heinlein conceived of and designed the waterbed as a hospital bed whose distribution of pressure would prevent bed sores. One of the first manufacturers gave him one in acknowledgement of his idea.

[@TrueBagPipeRock]

I heard that the judge actually gave Heinlein the patent on that. That's how popular his books were. I am not a fan, but my dad is OCD about Heinlein.

[@jeffthompson9622]

I hadn't heard that he sought or was granted a patent. His work inspired later authors. Many of the scientists and engineers who made the U.S. space program possible have credited his work for their educational choices. His idea for remote manipulators as an element of the story, "Waldo, Inc." led to them being called waldos by early users of them for handling radioactive or otherwise hazardous materials. He was the first I know of to propose the use of generation starships in the story, "Universe," whose plot Harlan Ellison lifted for the TV series, "The Starlost." I found his widely varied societal thought experiments interesting.

[@mattp5843]

Loved watching this as an 8yr old

[@davida7153]

Other Van Damme´s movies: "Lionheart" is like a true street fighters movie and "Cyborg", this one is quite weird but i like it.

[@CheesiestCheesehead]

Yep this was one of my favorite movies when I was a lil nigga lol 💯💪🏾 good one fam

[@jonathancunningham8739]

Welp it is no time cop but hey it is Universal solder one of my favourites from John thank you and loved the reaction and last thing is a small neat fact Miles played by Kristopher Van Varenberg, Van Damme's son. Credit to TV Tropes for the fact.

[@TheRealMediaMan]

Universal soldier 2 Timecop Street Fighter ( for the ultimate cheese) Even his recent shit like... "Van Johnson" wasn't bad. And "Lionheart" for the feels. Probably his best acted movie. And "legionare" is a good one. A definite change of pace for Van Damme. Also there's

[@kyraspikes7542]

I'll throw in that one of the UniSols is none other than Albert Hawenberry from D.C. Cab, Adam Baldwin himself. He didn't have any speaking lines, and if you blink, you will miss him. He is also in Independence Day and later on would be known for roles he play in shows like Angel and Firefly.

[@robertdean925]

Don't forget John Casey from Chuck 😎👍👍

[@VanNguyen-ns6ck]

Agree with all your points in your conclusion for the movie. I think this is the most underrated Van Damme movie of all time. Everyone who searches for Van Damme movies always look for movies like BloodSport, KickBoxer and Lion Heart. But I think this movie showcases Van Damme's acting range the most, where his tendency to overact is more controlled. Also, Dolph Lundgren and Ally Walker did a great job as supporting actors for this movie, whereas most of Van Damme's other movies the supporting cast is bit weaker.

[@toodlescae]

My favorite Van Damme movie is still Hard Target and since his character is from Louisiana his accent fits in. As for Lundgren...guilty pleasure confession...I like his movie Masters Of The Universe...lol.

[@TrueBagPipeRock]

those clips of JCVD on Arsenio Hall are classic.

[@SimoExMachina2]

"Lemme your ears and I will sing you a song" --- Sgt. Andrew Scott.

[@vikingraiders6703]

My favorite bad in any movie ever, looks bad ass, funny, scary, unhinged savage

[@noelkorf5018]

Now I need you to react to all the other Universal Solider movies!!! 🎥 🍿

[@k.delpino1124]

Directed by Roland Emmerich, Produced by Dean Devlin Pre-Stargate & Independence Day. Some of the sequels are canon and some aren't. Van Damme actually stars in 3 of them. The Return (1999) is canon and also an theatrical release. Regeneration (2009) & Day of Reckoning (2012) are not canon and straight to video. But they are pretty good.

[@modernretrogamer4208]

Does anyone remember the 1992 movie split second with Rutger hauer?

[@deadstarethics4892]

It's not an action movie but one of his best if not best is the film JCVD. You have to watch it subbed but it's outstanding, he plays a sort of parody of himself and at one point gives a 6 min monologue in one go, no cuts. It's brutal and Van Damme nails it, the guy can really act but just never got those roles.

[@teamrockets4544]

Creed 2 is must watch, its my personal favorite

[@MelaniePoparad]

Bloodsport is one of my fav Jean claude movies.

[@B355Y]

You ars always picking one of my childhood classics 👍

[@rodgomez4424]

Great pick

[@comedyentertainmentchannel5621]

STRAIGHT UP CLASSIC!!!!

[@krono5el]

This is def a JCVD must and classic, like that you thought it awesome bc it was a fun sci fi ish action romp that was up there with Hard Target and Double Impact for me for his more shootem ups.

[@Aero5000]

Double Impact should be next. Double the Van Dammage!

[@marijanstojanoski3328]

I love this movie i have seen it maybe 7-8 times

[@ThunderPants13]

They always make JCVD's character from Louisiana to explain his French (Belgian) accent.

[@MGower4465]

They always remember because nobody really understands how memory works. The only way to block it all would be to eliminate the brain, and then you lose the skills and processing capacity, and would be better off with the full on robot.

[@Beastlys]

Just subbed, wow I loved the content as a Van Damme fan myself. Some of his movies have different names over here in the UK. Like Lion heart over in the UK is called AWOL.

[@heisenb3rg]

Great vid bro Was waiting for another JCVD film! Lionheart next Plzz!!!