Sort By: By Genre  |  By Rating  |  By Year

Underworld

Starring: Kate Beckinsale
Director: Len Wiseman
Genre: Horror
Year: 2003
Rating: 2 / 5

Declaring that a film involves vampires and werewolves will immediately turn off a good chunk of the viewing public. These creatures do not, in fact, appeal to many beyond devoted horror buffs and the youth market, yet such films continue to be made. Underworld is one such film, but, since I have at various stages been a member of both groups, I continue to pony up to watch films of this ilk. Despite having seen a fair number of vampire flicks, I have not lost my enthusiasm for them just yet, although my expectations may have fallen. After all, a few viewings of Dracula 2000 will do that to a man. Fortunately, Underworld turns out to be a pleasant surprise.

Starring sexy heroin Kate Beckinsale and Felicity castoff Scott Speedman, Underworld chronicles a centuries-old battle between the vampires and the lycans, more commonly known as werewolves. In a nameless present day city, vampires are on the verge of wiping lycans out completely. Hundreds of years after an epic battle took the life of the lycan leader Lucian, the vampires are closing in on ultimate victory. Death Dealer Selene and her fellow hunters are slowing eradicating the lycan remnants, hinting at a possible end to the war. However, a routine hunt for a pair of lycans leads Selene and others to surmise that the war is not as over as some would think.

At the core of this belief is one Michael Corvin (Speedman), a doctor who may or may not hold historical significance for both races. On the mission to pursue these two lycans, Selene realizes that the object of their quest is in fact Corvin himself, leading her to question what is happening. Some within her faction want Corvin killed, especially in light of the lycans’ desire to acquire him. Selene wants to find out why they want him, a quest that will ultimately lead her to doubt everything she has come to believe. The answers start coming quickly for Selene, and she soon finds herself with a very unusual ally in a battle to set things right.

Just because Underworld is a pleasant surprise does not mean it is a good movie. As mentioned, there is something to be said for lowered expectations. Nevertheless, Underworld offers the requisite action sequences to please most fans of the genre, although a little more coverage of the vampires’ talents would have been worthwhile. Kate Beckinsale is capable as a rogue vampire looking for answers, but her role could have been filled by any number of people. Likewise, Scott Speedman is not afforded many chances to showcase the acting chops most recently demonstrated in Dark Blue. Setting itself up for an inevitable sequel, Underworld does finish with enough of a twist to pique viewer interest, but it cannot escape its own trappings. It is an entertaining diversion, but, even to this fan, it is still a vampire movie.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 121 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
Comments: Send E-mail