Underworld - 2003

Lakeshore Entertainment, Laurinfilm

Directed by Len Wiseman

Cast:

• Selene – Kate Beckinsale
• Micheal Corvin – Scott Speedman
• Lucien – Micheal Sheen
• Kraven – Shane Brolly
• Viktor – Bill Nighy
• Erika – Sophia Myles
• Raze – Kevin Grevioux

Story: More Vampires. Except these vampires do not seem to be bothered by religious icons or garlic, only sunlight. And Werewolves (Lycans) who are no longer held to the moon's power but can change at will from human to their lupine forms. And they are in a war, a war that has been perpetuated for centuries, one side bent on destroying the other. Selene is a Death Dealer, a special sect within the Vampire culture with one purpose: Kill Lycans. We open with Selene and another vampire stalking a pair of Lycans who are traveling through the streets, but Selene notices they are also on a mission. They are following a young, handsome doctor on his way home from the hospital. She and her companion follow them into the subway, but one of the Lycans spot them and the battle is on. Specialized guns built by the two groups are firing away, silver bullets for the Lycans, ultraviolet ammo for the vampires. This is only the first of many battles where the ancient combatants kill each other mercilessly, apparently unconcerned with being spotted by the humans. Mystery, suspense, and drama ensue as the main characters fight among themselves. Kraven, the heir apparent, wants Selene for his mate, but Selene wants nothing to do with him. Erika, the ambitious blonde vampiress, wants Kraven so she can sit as his consort. Micheal, the young doctor and descendent of the family from which both species emerged, wants to return to his life, but Lucien, the leader of the Lycans, has sealed his fate with his bite. And Viktor, one of the three leading vampires who leap frog through time, has been awakened out of turn. Selene must question Viktor, her maker, and finds he has betrayed her. Kraven has planned a coup in the ranks, but Selene now stands in his way. In the end, the coup is routed by Lucien, and a new species evolves beginning with Micheal, the descendent of Corvinus.

Review: This film gets 5 stars for originality in thinking. Len Wiseman and Kevin Grevioux have written an intricate plot that adds a new dimension to the vampire / werewolf myth. And apparently it is a popular variation, since the original film has spawned three sequels (although the third film was somewhat unnecessary...sometimes a prequel is just another look at what you have already seen). Kate Beckinsale never breaks character and displays none of the more gentile qualities of other films. Instead, she is a heartless, calculating slayer of the hated beast, a killing machine on a mission, and determined to find the truth, no matter where it may lead. Micheal Sheen is awesome as Lucien, whose tempered demeanor brings an atmosphere of terror in his gaze. Bill Nighy is an awesome overlord as Viktor, one of the three original vampires who has held sway with an iron fist through the years as master of the house. The surrealistic sets, the rapid plot, and the exceptional acting of the cast make this a film for lovers of vampires and action films alike. Not for the kiddies, the violence is graphic and sustained. Language is moderate for the most part, but the overall effect of the film is a thrill ride for those who can pay the ticket.