Overview: Following the one-two punch of Mortal Kombat and Event Horizon, director Paul W.S. Anderson would team up with iconic action star Kurt Russell (Escape from New York) and scriptwriter David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner, Unforgiven) for the thrilling sci-fi adventure Soldier.

Sergeant Todd 3465 (Russell) is a veteran in a long line of soldiers raised from birth to become ruthless and remorseless killing machines. When the callous Colonel Mekum (Jason Isaacs, Armageddon) introduces a new line of stronger, genetically engineered fighters, Todd is judged obsolete and confined to the waste disposal planet Arcadia 234.

Taken in by a group of humble colonists, Todd reconnects with his lost humanity, gaining their acceptance and their friendship. But when Mekum unleashes his new elite squad on the planet, led by the fearsome Caine 607 (Jason Scott Lee, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), Todd must reawaken the warrior within to protect his newfound community.

Packed with spectacular special effects and gripping action set pieces, Soldier is an underseen gem that demands rediscovery with this brand new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray edition.

4K Blu-ray Verdict: Kurt Russell stars as Sgt. Todd, the leader of a platoon of soldiers molded and trained from birth to become efficient killing machines. Whilst these soldiers are human they appear to be devoid of emotion and live to fight their enemy and obey their superiors. After many years and war’s a new platoon is genetically engineered as replacements for Todd’s men.

In a test of superiority Todd and his men face Sgt. Caine (Jason Scott Lee) in battle. After a brutal defeat Todd is left for dead on a barren waste planet and his squad relegated to menial work by the superiors to whom they have shown a lifetime of loyalty. Todd manages to join a group of survivors on the planet but must battle to defend it when the new breed of soldier’s attack.

Soldier is a fast-paced action movie that combines aspects of Universal Soldier and Rambo in a Mad Max scenario. However, it never feels as if Soldier is mimicking these movies and maintains its own sense of originality. Soldier will probably appeal to the men who are likely to enjoy the slick action sequences and underlying theme of discipline, war and revenge.

There is more to this film, however, including a very good performance by Kurt Russell. He may only speak a handful of words in the entire movie but his facial expressions and eyes express a thousand words. Physically he has also transformed himself into a fighting machine and is completely believable as a deadly Soldier with a lifetime of experience. Jason Scott Lee has metamorphosed himself from the lean Bruce Lee to a huge Schwarzenegger esquire figure also.

Soldier is action packed from start to finish. Upon release it was poorly received but I believe it to be underrated and that it is in fact a superior action movie. Whilst the movie does possess a pessimistic and violent view of the future it is also a story of a discipline and revenge and when all is said and done is quite uplifting. Kurt Russell illustrates his varied talents as an actor and is the decisive reason why the movie is not just another action flick.

Many actors could play this action role but the depth of his expression and emotions bring credibility to the entire movie. Soldier is not a thoughtful war movie (Platoon, Thin Red Line) or a stylish vision of the future (Blade Runner). It is, however, a slick and well executed action packed 99 minutes that will still be very entertaining for fans of the action movie genre. [A.H.]

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films approved by director Paul W.S. Anderson
4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Archival audio commentary by director Paul W.S. Anderson, co-producer Jeremy Bolt and actor Jason Isaacs
Reporting for Duty, a brand new interview with actor James Black
Fire in the Hole! a brand new interview with assistant director Dennis Maguire
On the Front Lines, a brand new interview with associate producer Fred Fontana
Designing for the Future, a brand new interview with production designer David L. Snyder
VFX Before and After, a brand new behind-the-scenes look at how the film’s special effects were created with visual effects supervisor Craig Barron
Weapons of Mass Creation, interviews with visual effects supervisors Craig Barron and Van Ling and miniature supervisor Michael Joyce
A Soldier’s Journey, a brand new interview with Danny Stewart, author of Soldier: From Script to Screen
We Don’t Need Another Hero, a brand new retrospective on the film with film historian Heath Holland
Archival electronic press kit
On-set interviews with cast and crew
Trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Orlando Arocena
Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film-by-film critic Priscilla Page

Official Purchase Link

www.arrowfilms.com