Underworld: Evolution [Blu-ray] [2006] [US Import]

I thought this film was ace when i first saw it at the cinema. if you like lots of fighting, some blood sucking and a little romance then this is the movie for you. if you haven't seen the first movie titled underworld, then watch it before you watch this. Selene and micheal are back for some more action and adventure. the film carries on 24hours after the first one left off with the death of viktor and the repercussions of that night. this movie however delves into the origins of the vampires and lycans and why they are at war and where they come from. it really is a good movie and i would recomend it to anyone who loves vampire movies.

Sexy, leather clad Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) return in the second instalment and epic conclusion of the Underworld saga.

Whilst I have never pretend to be the smartest tooth in a vampires mouth I certainly feel that I am not the dullest, but for the first third of this movie I was beginning to get totally bemused as to what exactly was going on, who was who, and whom had allegiance to whom. But I do urge the viewer of this film to stick with it, as all those questions and internal confusion in the back of your mind are all answered remarkably well before the end of the movie. However I get the feeling that those of you with the mind of a `Frankenstien's monster' will either turn it off in utter bewilderment, or just sit there open mouthed through the gore fest.

The main plot of the sequel answers many unanswered questions, and introduces a host of new characters implied or mentioned only in brief in the first movie. Marcus (Tony Curren) has risen from his sleep - if you remember the blood dripping into his tomb within the vaults of the Great Mansion at the end of the last - and sets out to find his brother William, the original werewolf. But first he has to get hold of the two-part key to the prison in which William has been imprisoned, one part of which is held by our heroine Selene and the other by a mysterious figure with his own small militia - who turns out to be none other than Alexander (Derek Jacobi), the father to both Marcus and William.

As well as a lot of history being revealed and graphically shot at the start of the movie , Bill Nighy also returns as Victor, and the real reasons for him leaving Selene alive after slaughtering her family become more evident as the movie goes on. Len Wiseman and Danny McBride certainly did a terrific job in the writing of the story line.

There is a lot of blood in this movie - which I guess goes in tandem with Vampire and Werewolf movies these days, but I never felt it was too far over the top - though watch-out for the helicopter scene at the end of the movie, something you can see coming a mile off.

The only disappointing thing for me was some of the occasional shots and special effects of the werewolves, and I felt myself remembering the original Howling movie and American Werewolf In London on occasions. But this was certainly never enough to ruin the Underworld experience.

A dark and sinister, thoroughly enjoyable 102 minutes, and I certainly wouldn't mind a pound for every set of contact lenses used in production !

"Underworld: evolution" is the sequel to "Underworld", the supernatural thriller regarding an old feud between vampires and lycans, and as such is more of the same. By that, I mean uncomplicated fun for those who from time to time enjoy watching a fast paced film that has elements of fantasy in it, and that lacks food for thought but makes up for that with lots of entertainment value.

Are you, like me, one of those people I mentioned above? If the answer is no, do not lose your time, this film is probably not the right one for you. If the answer is yes, I recommend you watch this movie, but only after having enjoyed the first one.

Now I am going to talk a little about the plot of "Underworld: evolution", so if you still have to watch the first movie in the series stop reading now, in order to avoid spoilers. The plot of this sequels picks up where the last one left off, and does an excellent job of allowing us to catch up with Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the beautiful vampire death-dealer, and Michael (Scott Speedman), the young lycan she has feelings for. Michael was turned by Selene into a hybrid of lycan and vampire in order to be saved from certain death, but that act of defiance and the fact that Selene killed an ancient vampire ruler to protect Michael, means that they are both on the run.

But what exactly has Michael turned into, and will they be able to survive? And what will happen when Marcus (Tony Curran), another of the vampire elders, turns into a hybrid of a different kind, and finally achieves the power to free his dangerous brother, William (Brian Steele)? Things become even more complicated when we find out that Marcus was the father of all vampires, as William was the father of all lycans. On top of everything, Marcus and William s father, Alexander Corvinus (Sir Derek Jacobi), decides to meddle and help Selene and Michael to stop his sons. The alternative is chaos, and a world full of crazed lycans running free and wreaking havoc.

In my opinion, Len Wiseman (director) and Danny McBride (scriptwriter) did a great job filling some of the blanks left in the first movie, and continuing to tell us about an alternate universe where vampire and lycans fight for supremacy among mankind. The result is that their story is more believable, and thus more engaging.

All in all, I can say that I really enjoyed watching this film, and that I believe that is even better than the first one. Of course, "Underworld: evolution" is not perfect, but it is so entertaining that does t matter too much. Highly recommended!

Belen Alcat

PS1: To Len Wiseman,please hurry up and make another sequel, I want to know what happens next to Selene and Michael :)

PS2: To parents, this movie has quite a lot of violence and a nude scene, so it is not adequate for children.