MINOR SPOILERS Universal Soldier 3 is probably not what you wanted Van Damme to do after the success of JCVD. Turning down the Expendables sounds like a very big mistake too, since this action star is no longer in his prime. But doing US3 with John Hyams directing and Peter Hyams shooting just might be the the best career decision Jean-Claude could make at this point in his life. The Hyams father-son team impressed me a whole lot. Let me tell you, why. Everything is spot on; the characters, the dialogue delivery, the stunts, and especially the camera-work and editing. Each move and each frame is precise and meticulous. Hyams' camera composition is rich in detail and never shows something that is not needed, never tries to sugarcoat the shortcomings of this production. There are a few, namely the setting of Chernobyl, the digital camera that's no substitute for film, and some of the people involved - the star is not Van Damme, but Pit Bull Arlovsky, which makes it sound like it's another doomed straight-to-DVD Eastern Europe manufactured cheapo. Half the film is in Ukrainian, it's winter and people drink a lot. But from the looks of the film, the producers obviously set out to make a good action film, and what they got on their hands is action gold. US3 might be one of the very best Van Damme films, and undoubtedly THE best DTV action effort I've ever seen.
Give this one a chance.
Give this one a chance.