2009's Universal Soldier: Regeneration wisely disregards the string of iffy sequels that followed the 1992 original with director John Hyams striping away the glossy sci-fi trappings in favour of a cold, brutalist action-thriller. The grim Eastern European setting, bleak colour palette, and bone-crunching fights lend it a pared-down, dystopian feel that works in the film's favour. Interestingly, renowned director Peter Hyams (Timecop, Outland, Sudden Death to name a few) carries out cinematography duties.
Van Damme gives one of his more restrained, haunted performances a Luc/GR44, while Dolph Lundgren returns as a cloned Andrew Scott, adding menace without tipping into parody. Andrei Arlovski's NGU is a relentless physical threat, with Hyams staging long, violent sequences full of raw, sweaty tension.
It's a low budget film of tight focus, jettisoning any high-concept sci-fi for hard-edged action, clinical military conspiracies, and bleak tragedy. Michael Krassner and Kris Hill's cold, minimalist score suits the mood perfectly.
It was followed by Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012) which is more of a Scott Adkin's vehicle, where Van Damme and Lundgren take a back seat.
Overall, Regeneration remains a surprisingly effective, stripped-down revival - and one of the franchise's best entries.
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