*Battle at Tannhauser Gate not shown.
When I first watched Soldier back in the late ‘90s, I wasn’t too impressed. I wasn’t all that into Blade Runner yet, so the connections were lost on me. When I found out it was actually a stealth sequel or prequel or sidequel or whatever a few years later, I checked it out again, assuming I would like it much more. I didn’t. So here we are with this new Arrow 4K release (available for pre-order now, or regular order if you’re reading this after 4/28), and I figured the third time’s the charm. And it kind of was, but not for any Blade Runner connection.
The Blade Runner stuff is very surface level, and it’s talked up much more in all the special feature stuff than it is in the actual film. There are references like the Tannhauser gate, and the new Soldier recruits might even be replicants (and there’s no denying that’s where the military is headed in this film), but overall it’s just a space western, with a wounded Kurt Russell learning how to be a human as he tries to protect some civilians on a trash planet.
The use of Russell as more of a killing machine than a human has always rubbed me the wrong way, and it still does. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to take one of the most charismatic actors of a generation and turn him into an almost unspeaking machine (he doesn’t speak until the 27-minute mark, and even then it’s not like he opens up). It is what is, but I still prefer Russell in more human roles.
Once I got over the use of Russell and the fact that this doesn’t really have that much to do with Blade Runner, I could finally enjoy it for another reason: nostalgia for big sci-fi movies from the ‘90s. This movie has a lot of practical sets, explosions, and action in general and compared to most action movies today, it’s amazing. Back in 1998, we were a little more used to stuff like this and didn’t realize how good we had it. Looking back now in glorious 4K, I can appreciate a bygone era.
Sure, the stuff in outer space is largely CG, but the trash planet is very practical, and it looks great. The action doesn’t disappoint, either, with a ridiculous, giant, fully functioning rover taking centerstage for a lengthy action sequence. And the final battle between Russell and Jason Scott Lee is a memorable and satisfying battle between the old and the new.
Soldier isn’t the underappreciated classic secret Blade Runner pre-post-sidequel that I may have wanted, but it is a fun example of what sci-fi action movies used to be. And any fans of the film, new and old, should look into picking up this new 4K release.
Random Thoughts
You can get the full list of Kurt Russell references in the list of commendations at the beginning, but my favorite (which you can only half-see) is the Captain Ron Trophy. How do you get that? But just being a fun dude to be around at all times?
I would never want my name tattooed on my face, but I would really not want it tattooed on my face if my name was Todd.
“We need a real fascist British guy to play the commander.”
“Say no more, Jason Isaacs is already on his way.”
I get that an aircraft carrier looks cool on a trash planet, but does it really make more sense in the future to fly that thing to another planet instead of scrapping it on earth?
I understand why this failed: “Let's take one of Hollywood's most charismatic and likeable stars and make him a nearly mute, barely human soldier.”
Couldn't help but think of Seinfeld when he cried for the first time: “What is this salty discharge?”
Nice to see the trash people reusing old CDs, even if only for decorations. They respect physical media!
Jason Scott Lee was the original Dave Bautista in this.
Transfer and Special Features
It's Arrow, so it looks great. All the practical sets and action look even better.
James Black is just happy to be here. Nice of them to use some clips from his early no-budget work.
The production designer does his interview on zoom, but the good folks at Arrow added a nice touch by framing him with some Soldier-type nonsense on the sides.
He confirms that this was a big soundstage movie, and man, I miss big soundstage movies.
Visual effects supervisor Van Ling is responsible for all the Kurt Russell references on the info screen at the beginning. He said he did it because of laserdisc, and he knew viewers at home would be able to see it. God bless you, sir.
The archival featurette focuses on the Blade Runner connection quite a bit.