Underworld rises and evolves between vampires and werewolves
Written: May 17 '09 (Updated May 17 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: excitingly fast-paced
Cons: typical plot
The Bottom Line: Fortunately, Rise of the Lycans succeeds on several levels with biting sequences and solid visual effects that's ideal for fan's and horror buff's.
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| cntaur5's Full Review: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans |
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) takes fans and viewers back to the dark ages, beginning with the great mythology and feud behind vampires and werewolves. Taking its place as the prequel to the entire Underworld series Rise of the Lycans tells the story of the enslaved Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) and the aristocratic vampire family of Lord Viktor (Bill Nighy) and his daughter Sonja (Rhona Mitra). Viktor has enslaved the werewolves for many years and spares Lucian the first werewolf born as a human. The condition of growing up in Viktor’s castle is a lifetime of servitude as a blacksmith with a collar around his neck. Despite his confinement and wretched living conditions Lucian becomes fond of Victor’s rebellious daughter Sonja.
In the interim Viktor protects the humans from the werewolves that pillage the land. These wild werewolves are not like Lucian in that they remain in their beastly form and cannot be reasoned with. The humans are getting restless as they pay tithes to Viktor for protection that he is unable to provide against the increasing werewolf attacks on the town people. A small band of humans make their way to Viktor’s castle and to ensure there safe entry Sonja takes matters into her own hands mounts a horse and grabs a sword. Lucian begs her not to go and her father forbids it. Lucian senses there are a great number of werewolves that will devour the humans and Sonja so he steals a horse and sword and attempts to save Sonja. Lucian disobeys Victor and removes his neck collar and changes into a Lycan to save Sonja.
The story does not end with Lucian turning into a Lycan but it takes off from here and turns into an epic story of betrayal, love and thirst for power. First-time filmmaker and director Patrick Tatopoulos paints the stage well with a dark dreary brush that’s as cold as the lead villain’s heart. With remarkable performances by Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy, and evocative music by Paul Haslinger; Rise of the Lycans runs like clockwork. The supporting cast and extras added lots of intensity to the violent storyline especially during the high intensity action sequences. Unfortunately despite her lovely looks Rhona Mitra is no Kate Beckinsale and the chemistry between Mitra and Sheen was flat. The cinematography, camera work, makeup and Jane Holland's costume offer some nice authenticity to this fictional tale.
Fortunately, Rise of the Lycans succeeds on several levels with biting sequences and solid visual effects that keep this 1 hour and 32 minute moving going. Original fans of the first Underworld film will appreciate the continuity and fidelity found here. Overall it’s an average flick that lives up to it’s R rating offering lots of blood, violence and a mild sex scene. If you are into the whole vampire vs. werewolves’ medieval theme you’ll enjoy the mindless action and gritty romance.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm giving this 4 out of 5 stars! There’s plenty of gaudy amusement, with over-edited action and extravagant horror that mildly entertaining. As for me I enjoyed the first two and have them on DVD and will now add this to my collection.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Action Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Plot
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