| This has got to be close to one of the worst
movies I have ever, ever seen. I can't believe they made a sequel to the first very
average instalment. Of course, more often than not sequels are worse and this film carries
on that tradition, it is woeful. From the opening jetski pursuit intro to the film where
the guys goods are on the white jetski's and the bad guys are on the black jetski's it
showed the typical signs of a crap movie and it didn't let up from there. With a pitiful
script, pitiful plot and even more pitiful acting, I could have kept myself more
entertained for the 80 minutes I hard to endure this by watching grass grow. Van Damme
still can't act, looks creaky on screen, is obviously aging and has all the sex appeal of
Brussels sprouts. I think from memory they
released this in the cinema, thank God I did not go to see it there and pay $24 for myself
and my partner, I would have not been a happy camper at the end I can tell you.
The story if I can call it that is basically, Seth (Michael
Jai White) is the super computer that runs everything. He overhears that his designers are
going to kill the universal soldier program and he is not having it. He wakes up all the
Universal Soldiers and they take over the facility. Their goal is to get some code from
Luc (Van Damme) that will enable them to live beyond 8 hours. This is pretty the entire
movie. There are the obligatory naked female scenes. The over the top fight scenes,
a lot of hapless security guards getting killed and then big fight finale at the end and
then thankfully, it's over.
So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
VIDEO
The transfer which is Anamorphic Widescreen and framed at 1.85:1 is not too bad. It
is generally clean and free of artifacts. Colours are solid with natural flesh tones. I
have seen clearer transfers from CTS, but for a movie such as this there was nothing to
complain about, except maybe for the film's actual screen content.
AUDIO
The disc contains 5.1 channel Dolby Digital English and German tracks. The audio
was also not too bad. Explosions, gunfire sounded very good and the surrounds were used
when the occasion called for it. Dialogue was also clear and easy to understand,
unfortunately as you have to listen to some dreadful lines. e.g. "I'm a reporter. I'm
not getting killed until I get my story." Oh please......
EXTRAS
My first thought was why CTS would go to so much trouble for a crap film.
Given the wide variety of the film catalogue of CTS it bewilders me why they'd release
this in the first place. That being said the extras are very good, thank God that Van
Damme did not do a audio commentary, I could not have possibly sat through it again
listening to his very average English. Anyway Extras are the theatrical trailer, Behind
the scenes featurette, Interview with Jean-Claude Van Damme - entitled "Looking Back,
Moving Forward" , Interview with Michael Jai White & Cast Filmographies.
Overall, garbage but if you are a true fan of
Van Damme you might want to pick it up. If not then rent it first!!
| PICTURE QUALITY |
8/10 not too bad |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
- 7/10 other than the scripted lines, it's fine!
- 4/10 only used when really called for |
| FEATURES |
8/10 Far too deserving of this film!! |
Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba 2109 Region Free
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995
Speakers:-
Fronts: Polk Audio RT55
Centre: Polk Audio CS350
Rears: Polk Audio AB705's
Subby: M&K V125
- Reviewed 5th February 2000 |
