SOLDIER (1998)
A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004
Great films of the past should be left alone. Contemporary remakes,
sequels or even the films merely set in the same universe are unlikely
to enhance reputations of the classics. On the contrary, fans of the
originals are most likely to be sorely disappointed with the quality of
new films. This explains what happened to SOLDIER, 1998 science
fiction film directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.
Plot of the film begins with soldier known only as Sergeant Todd
(played by Kurt Russell). In his earliest childhood he was selected for
brutal training program and later conditioned to become cold and
efficient killing machine. In year 2036 A.D., despite showing his
murderous ability in numerous wars and campaigns, Todd is
considered obsolete by Colonel Mekum (played by Jason Isaacs). He
is to be replaced with the new breed of genetically engineered
soldiers like Caine 607 (played by Jason Scott Lee). After losing test
fight with Caine, Todd is left for dead and tossed into Arcadia,
desolate planet where he is rescued by group of shipwrecks who had
created their little utopia. Todd, housed by colony's elder Mace
(played by Sean Pertwee) and his wife Sandra (played by Connie
Nielsen), slowly begins to develop human emotions and befriends
couple's autistic son. But when Mekum decides to use Arcadia as test
ground for his new soldiers, Todd would have to use his abilities
again, this time in order to save colonists.
According to scriptwriter David Webb Peoples, SOLDIER was
supposed to be set in the same universe as legendary BLADE
RUNNER. But the fans of 1982 classic were disappointed to hear
about script being changed and director Paul W.S. Anderson insisting
on SOLDIER as nothing more than futuristic remake of SHANE.
After that SOLDIER was savaged by critics, but it is actually much
better film than its reputation would indicate. The beginning, which
features brutal conditioning of young children, is wonderfully staged
and many science fiction fans would be reminded of Orson Scott
Card's classic novel ENDER'S GAME. Throughout the film Anderson
pays great attention to production design, costumes and special
effects. Kurt Russell is also very convincing in the role of quiet
warrior who slowly discovers his humanity. Those qualities,
however, aren't enough to compensate for the serious script flaws.
For example, the film doesn't explain why would anyone bother to
travel through light years of space only to dump tons of trash on
remote planets. SOLDIER is also burdened with cliches - fate of Mace
is easy to predict when his wife starts becoming close with the
protagonist, villain is over the top and the ending features all-too-
familiar one-on-combat. Joel McNeely's music is also quite
disappointing. SOLDIER didn't deserve to be treated so harshly by
critics, but it didn't deserve recommendations either.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
Review written on June 24th 2004
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
http://film.purger.com
- Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in
Croatian
http://www.ofcs.org
- Online Film Critics Society
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X-RT-AuthorID: 1307
X-RT-RatingText: 4/10
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