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Rating:  - Soldiers
The movie is the development of a man from soldier/robot to a human being. The action scenses are very good. I found it very entertaining.
Rating:  - Great movie
We just happened to be channel surfing and came across the opening credits for this movie. We had no idea what the name of the movie was, but it sure peaked our interest! Every time I wanted to change the channel, I kept going back to it because I didn't want to miss anything!! I dont even like futuristic movies like this! I love Kurt Russell and he barely said anything in the movie, but it sure didn't matter. I had to google this movie just to get the name of it!!
Rating: - Some more refinement and this would be a truly great film
This movie reminds me of the graphic novel War Machine. The novel is about a genetically created soldier who was trained since birth to serve with unfaltering loyalty and does so until he is abandoned. Both the book and the movie have that similar story of a futuristic soldier trained since birth who defies his leaders for a moral solution. They are two very different and specific stories mind you. But I digress. Soldier is kind of a mixed bag of action and a little heart, with some quirks as well. Ultimately what you get is a great movie with some gaping flaws that still make it a pretty good flick in the end.
I think the biggest feather in this movie's cap is seeing dispossessed soldier Todd, played by Kurt Russell, interact with civilians and try to unlearn his conditioning. It is not done in a cheesy way like having Todd shed his first tear or anything like that. The script seems to respect the fact that you cannot change yourself overnight. Also theew is a love interest of sorts that is pretty much unrequited. At least through the course of the movie. Again these things don't change overnight. Kurt hardly says a line and still shines in this movie. Some might disagree, but I think Kurt Russel's acting was very well done and appropriate for the kind of character he was. Most of it is in his eyes. The acting is real subtle but very effective.
Cinematography was nice. Colored lenses were used in basic but effective ways. The junk planet landscape gave a good post-apocalyptic feel (again with color filters adding to the ambience). The guns and tech should keep you military types drooling. Big guns and even more massive assault vehicles were definitely fun to see in action. The special effects are very good and not overdone, and thats always a nice touch.
The plot is solid enough. The thing is they do some odd things in the movie. I mean REALLY odd things like officers ordering these super soldiers to fight each other to the death to prove a point and other strangeness. The truly stupid stuff comes around the end when Todd goes toe to toe with newer soldiers. I can't figure out why genetically enhanced soldiers that are made to ignore pain scream like little girls when they are dying. Also the soldiers themselves don't seem to have much of a concept of small unit tactics. They just walk in and shoot. I suppose that is explained well enough with captains and colonels arguing over the unit having no real combat experience. Todd doesn't seem to have a problem using surprise tactics, but the 'new recruits' didn't seem to get it. I don't know... this military of the future is pretty dirt dumb.
This DVD is pretty sparse on special features, but you do get a pretty informative commentary by director Paul Anderson, co-producer Jeremy Bolt and Jason Isaacs (the mean colonel from the movie). Other than you get get some production notes, the trailer and some subtitles in English and French. Not exactly a sweet lineup, but you do get a good commentary.
Soldier is a good film. I think Russell and the social evolution of his character Todd is what makes the movie more than just another sci-fi shoot fest. If the story overview sounds interesting to you and you can forgive some oddball soldier maneuvers then go ahead and see this movie. Soldier won't win any awards, but I finished watching it thinking the movie was pretty good.
Rating:  - Much Maligned Film Deserves to Be Seen
Critically smashed at the time and DOA at the box office, Soldier was one a huge run of mega budgeted flops Warner Bros released in 1997 & 1998. But the suprise is how good this by the numbers sci-fi actioner really is.
Kurt Russell gives one of his most phenomenal performances as the emotionally stunted lead character. It's a true tour de force of cinematic acting-he hardly says a word, but his eyes, expression and body language surge through the screen.
Paul WS Anderson's direction is efficient and tight, it's more his approach to the the look and feel of the material that's the problem. David Webb People's script is terrific and you can't help but wonder what Ridley Scott or John McTiernan might have be able to do with this.
This is kind of an 80's throwback that you could imagine being an absolute blockbuster for Schwarzenegger in his prime- but it's 10 years too late, despite the brilliant work of it's star.
Rating: - Kurt did a great job
Personally, I think that the lack of lines for Kurt enhanced this brilliant movie. The music of Loreena Mckennit is beautiful.
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