Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

In an attempt to shake the series, we no longer have Selene decimating vampires and lycans...she was too busy being a US marshal in Antarctica (translates to Beckinsale filming 'Whiteout'). Wiseman, McBride and new director Tatopoulos thought to bring back fan favourites Lucian and Viktor in an episodic chapter that still feels all too familiar. Detailing how the war against vampires and lycans started, it divulges in the forbidden love story of werewolf Lucian and vampire Sonja. I shan't spoil what happens, because the original film already did so. Quite literally a full on expositional flashback in the first 'Underworld' illustrated this tainted romance, did we honestly need to have a whole film about it? Personally, no. I can't quite remove the concept that this was simply just a filler in a franchise that is now declining. Despite the pointlessness of this chapter, it surprisingly does have emotion and is by far the best written story of all the entries. McBride was able to capture the secretive intimate relationship with a sense of impending doom, evoking sympathy towards the main characters. Michael Sheen gives an excellent performance as does Bill Nighy against a mediocrely monotonous supporting cast. Can't quite determine if Rhona Mitra was good...just seemed like she was mimicking Beckinsale's previous performances. The medieval production designs enhanced the dark Transylvanian environment and were well suited. The creature prosthetics remain authentic and continue the franchise's dependency on them. Unfortunately, some horrific transformation effects and green screen do detract from the quality of this prequel. The action scenes were messy, plagued with quick cuts and the constant flashing of lightning which makes them unbearably difficult to watch. An 87 minute runtime also seemed like 120 minutes, indicating that the pacing does drag particularly during the first two acts. This prequel has good intentions, for everything it does right it also horribly misfires on other elements.

For the record this is a prequel while 2003 Underworld is the first film of the entire series Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the prequel explaining the history of the werewolves and vampires.The main protagonist is Lucian (Michael Sheen) the film main antagonist is Viktor (Bill Nighy) who is the father of Sonja (Rhona Mitra) who plays a part in the story once you see the film you will understand.Again this is a prequel so if you're new to the series you will find it to be full of useful information learning about the characters that appear in the first Underworld movie which helps out for many fans of the series and again new comers. Anyhow onto the movie itself. The story in this one is pretty well thought out and help us understand the characters, they did put in emotion where you can just be surprised by how much it gave to the characters.Michael and Bill who reprise their roles as Lucian and Viktor respected both gave a strong performance it made you want to see what happens next with their characters both men just brought their A game to the film.The music is very well done. Also the action scenes in this film just make you want more along with twist and turns you won't see coming. The main problem I have with the movie is that some of the plot could be a disappointment and moments you feel could have been done better. But with a strong story well balance talented acting and for fans of Underworld this is a movie to consider if you're a werewolf and vampire film fan I give Underworld: Rise of the Lycans an 7 out of 10

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the prequel to the previous two Underworld films. It tells the story about what led to the werewolf/vampire feud, with bloody energetic results.In core essence this is Braveheart/Spartacus, only in CGI laden horror/action form. Michael Sheen buffs up into Karl Urban, who as Lucian (bad ass Lycan) leads his species to a bloody revolt, and Kate Beckinsale has made way narratively for Rhona Mitra, who sexes things up. The action is pulse raising and the Gothic designs and atmospherics are first rate, while the battle royale finale is fit to crown any genre film of its type. Problems are evident, though. The constant flow of CGI blood becomes irritating after a while, and Bill Nighy (in spite of being a franchise regular) is still looking miscast! But it has proved to be a series with hairy legs and fangs that refuses to die, a popcorn munchers dream. So enjoy the spectacle and the screenplay homages, and I'll have a bag of tortilla chips and a choc ice please. 6.5/10

For the most part this was a good movie great action, good plot and storyline. But the main problem with this movie (spoiler alert) the vampires in this movie were extremely underpowered . It was almost Luciana vs humans . the vampires showed no speed there was only one show of strength, but other than that they were humans. where as the lycans showed all of the typical abillities of werewolves speed, strength, blood lust the whole nine. but im just one person. like i said other than that it was a great action packed movie . it also was a great back story to the other movies.in the future i would recommend focusing more on the characteristics of the characters them selves .Trevaris