Search - Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

BATTLE OF HORROR GIANTS

Mark Turner | 05/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a horror fan and not heard of the UNDERWORLD series you're missing out. While some sites online have criticized the series, it has truly offered a new spin on the legends of vampires and werewolves and one that I have enjoyed more than the recent TWILIGHT. Not that that film doesn't have its place, but this one offers more action and less seduction.

Now fans can rejoice with the release of the entire trilogy on blu-ray discs. Not only do you get the entire story from start to current finish (a film franchise has more lives than a reborn monster), but you can watch them in glorious sharp color and image. The first two films told the story of the battle between the two monster clans in present day settings and were filled with some impressive images to watch. The latest takes us back to where it all began.

UNDERWORLD opens with a lone heroine poised on a ledge watching for something, for someone. When she sees those she seeks, she leaps off to what one would surmise is her death only to spring gracefully back up to a standing position and walk away. The viewer is now aware that this is no normal person.

No, this is Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and she is a vampire enforcer of types, searching for a special person. But at the same time a group of werewolves (we learn shortly after) are stalking this same person, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman). A battle in a subway station leaves losses on both sides and the discovery of a nest of werewolves found.

As the film progresses, we discover alliances made, political motivations between both vampires and werewolves and just why it is that Michael Corvin is so special. How he plays into events set forth in the past makes for not only an action filled film but one with plenty of plot as well, nicely wrapped around a romance so that all viewers leave pleased.

UNDERWORLDl EVOLUTION continues the story of Michael and Selene as they go into hiding having betrayed both worlds once Selene discovered her own leader had struck a deal with the lycan (werewolf) leader. In an attempt to revive the last living elder vampire, wheels are set in motion that will change the history of both creatures.

Rather than try and move forward with a story that had seemed to find it's end already, UNDERWORLDl RISE OF THE LYCANS heads to the past, explaining what set in motion the events of the previous two films. The most recent of the three, it brings back a few old cast members and (since she wasn't born yet) leaves Beckinsale out of the picture this time.

Viktor (Bill Nighy) is the head of the vampire clan, an elite ruling class that defends the local humans from being overrun by both man and beast. In return they merit tribute from the humans as well as obedience. This is a ruling class that controls with an iron fist. They have also enslaved the werewolves of yore, unable to revert back to human form and used to protect their lair/castle during day light hours.

Into this system is born Lucien (Michael Sheen) or a werewolf mother. Viktor takes pity on the newborn and raises him as close to his own as one can a slave. Lucien in return assists in the defense of the vampires, killing his own kind in the process.

But Lucien also harbors a secret not even Viktor is aware of. Lucien has been having an affair with Viktor's willful daughter Sonja (Rhona Mitra). The two meet in secret and Lucien reveals his plans to escape and leave the castle, wanting Sonja to leave with him.

When the wild werewolves of the forest attack a caravan of humans on their way to the castle, Lucien reveals his ability to escape his shackles when he comes to the aid of Sonja who rode forth to battle the werewolves. Turning into a ferocious animal, Lucien seems to control these wild wolves. And even though he saved Sonja's life, he is punished by Viktor for disobeying him as well as removing his chains.

Filled with rage, Lucien escapes along with the rest of the captive werewolves yet to turn and a handful of slaves recently captured. Sonja doesn't make it out and Lucien vows to save her. Charged with treason, Sonja is set to die and a trap is established to capture Lucien. Will he succumb or will he find a way to reunite with Sonja and free all the slaves?

The film has some epic battles, though small in numbers involved, but enough so that they are brutal, bloody and vicious, everything one would expect in a vampire/werewolf fight. The end fight between a marauding army of werewolves and the vampires in their castle is an amazing piece of CGI magic that will please most and disappoint the fanatical anti-CGI crowd. To me, it was a thrill to watch.

The acting in this film is high quality and reaches the bench mark of what good acting means. You forget and set aside the fact you are watching actors perform and fall into the world they are portraying. You feel as if they actually ARE those characters. Among them Nighy has established the role of Viktor throughout the series as his own and shows a range here of violence and disappointment one rarely sees. Sheen does a great job as Lucien especially since his character here is younger than in both previous films. Mitra? She does the unenviable job of taking over where Kate Beckinsale was as a central character and yet holds her own.

The nice thing about this film is that ties into the previous films and establishes what went down prior to the events in them. And it ends with just a touch of the first film to link them all. Fans won't be disappointed. Those who have never seen the films are offered a good place to start from. And if you love them all you now have the option of all three together in blu-ray. What more could a horror fan ask for?
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