UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS

ENGLISH - (18SG) - 22 January 2009 - Action Adventure

Distributor: Sony Pictures (Screen Gems)

Running time: about 86 mins.

Director: Patrick Tatopoulos

Producers: Len Wiseman, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Skip Williamson

Writers: Len Wiseman, Danny McBride

Casts: Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Kevin Grevioux

Plot: The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

The Underworld zero - 0, not 3. The reason is without knowing much of the first two installments, you will think that this movie ended with a cliffhanger. The other reason is that it was actually a prequel for those who didn't know. Well, either you did watch or not the first two Underworld, it is time to watch back Underworld and Underworld Evolution to continue the saga.

The movie tells the introduction of Viktor as the leader of the Vampires clan while having Lycans, a part of the werewolf clan as the Vampire's slave. However, it is important to note that the vampires and werewolves were from the same ancestor. Due to the Vampire's faulty treatment to the Lycans and Lucian, a destined leader of the Lycans was romantically involve with Sonja, Viktor's daughter, the Lycans fought back against their master. Things only get worst when Viktor had Sonja been executed after discovering that Sonja bore a child with Lucian which will allowed a cross between the Vampires' and Lycans' bloodline. Because of that, the war forged between Viktor's Vampires and Lucian's Lycans.

I would said the acting was okay. Bill Nighy, famous for his role as Davy Jones in POTC, was a legend. In this movie, his portrayal as Viktor was awesome. A stern, credibility and headstone leader, he did great job to the movie. Others been (Sonja) Rhona Mitra, relatively unknown but you may found her in Nip/Tuck; and the opposite Michael Sheen as Lucian were equally good. However, the legacy left over by Kate Beckinsale and Micheal Speedman are still felt while I was watching the movie. I bet you don't know this, all three of them are British.

The story in this movie is vital to explain what really happen in Serene (Kate Beckinsale) in the further story in Underworld. Therefore, I would give a highly appraisal for crafting a story to merely to explain but in a much understandable manner. I find it hard and confused when I first watched Underworld back in 2003. I like that they maintain the dark Gothic style of the movie which made Underworld the kind of mood you would love to be indulged. The weaponry and costume were stylish and elegant.

The only problems were that its plot flow were always interrupted by a quick shots of climax and anti-climax. The fights were brief and compelled little excitement. Even compensate with a stylish angle of cinematography, the movie like its predecessors was pretty much overacted. Clocking only 86 minutes, this is an understandable movie with many respect for resolving audience blurriness while watching the first two.

THE RATINGS.....
CAST - 3.0 stars
STORY - 3.0 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars
EFFECTS - 3.5 stars
an overall >> 3.0 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 12.6