Underworld Trilogy

All three features are supplied in individual jewel cases housed in a cardboard box with the first instalment being a two-disc set and the other two features supplied in single disc format with extras; so, it will take up a lot of room on your self but no slim line version has been released to date. Below is a brief synopsis of all three parts to give insight to those who haven't yet witnessed the gory fun.

Underworld introduces us to the fierce Death Dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) who believes that her fellow Vampire Kraven is conspiring with arch enemy Lucian (Michael Sheen) so she abruptly awakens the aristocratic Vampire leader Viktor (Bill Nighy) long before his reign is due to commence. To escape the wrath of the elders she must prove that Lucian is alive and Kraven is a traitor. Lucian is tracking down human mortal Michael (Scott Speedman) because he believes him to be a direct descendant of Alexander Corvinus (Derek Jacobi) and the perfect, compatible specimen to mix the bloodlines of the two rival species, thus creating a super race strong enough to exact his revenge and defeat his nemesis Viktor.

Underworld: Evolution, Markus Corvinus has reclaimed his position as leader of the vampire covenant and his quest is to find a key and the location of his Lycan brother William who was imprisoned by Viktor for his savage nature so he can set him free. When Markus was re-awakened from his slumber his blood was inadvertently mixed with that of Lycan, thus transforming him into a hybrid species and making him believe that he is now strong enough to control his animalistic brother, William Corvinus. Standing in his way with her piercing ice blue eyes, big fangs and blood soaked lips is the uber sexy; leather clad Selene, looking hotter than a freshly scorched badger's fanny on a highway. Well, it gets my blood pumping.

Rise Of The Lycans is a prequel explaining how the feud between the two species began. Viktor rules his covenant with an iron fist and uses the lycan race as slaves but unbeknownst to him is the fact that his daughter Sonja is in love with Lucian, the first Lycan to be able to metamorphosize between human form and werewolf; Sonja is pregnant carrying the first mixed blood entity of the two rival species. This instalment has a stronger gothic atmosphere and excellent usage of CGI. Bill Nighy is on excellent form as Viktor making him possibly the greatest Vampire in big screen history since the mighty Christopher Lee. This is my favourite part of the trilogy simply because it gives more meaning and clout to the other two parts and it should ultimately be watched first. An outstanding box set loaded with hours of blood soaked fun and great value for money (at the time of writing this review).

This box set of The Underworld Trilogy is a great way to own all three of the Underworld films. It offers convenience as well as great value for money (not to mention three great films!) in one handy box. The only negative I can see, is that there is now a fourth film out, and so there may be a box set featuring all four films on the horizon.

Each film comes in it's own separate case (as if your had bought the films individually), so it is not a box set in the true sense of the word (offering bespoke packaging, special artwork and extra discs etc.) but more a collection or gathering of the films into one place. Nevertheless, this trilogy is still a great addition to anyone's DVD or Bluray collection, as Underworld is probably the best modern day Vampire saga around.

Film one - Underworld:
Firstly, the boxset contains the special extended addition of the film which is great. Secondly, Underworld, as a film, really starts to come into its own once you have watched the full trilogy and go back and watch it a second time, so it's worth buying in this box set if your want to get the most out of it.

With all the different names thrown at you (about characters we don't even get to see in this first instalment) this wonderful Vampire saga can get a bit confusing first time around, but on a second viewing, after you know the whole story, things become clearer.

Kate Beckinsale is pretty much my ideal woman (in joint 1st place alongside Cheryl Cole) and she positively sizzles in her black PVC cat suit. The whole look of the film is very stylised, which I like and lit in a blue/grey manner which looks great and ads to the whole feel of the film, suiting it perfectly.

The film itself has strange mix of elements. Ancient, almost celtic or pagan designs mixed with ultra futuristic technology... it old vs new in this battle that has raged through the centuries. And that's the film's premise: Werewolf vs Vampire. Both, rather fittingly, at each other's throats.

The action comes thick and fast, looks great and is first class - but do not think this is all this film has to offer. The story, as I've already, said is epic and you'll have to pay attention to follow it fully, or you'll soon get left behind as the twists and turns unfold.

I thought the sound was excellent too and really added to the atmosphere of the film, with bullets, thunder and lightning really going bang! The deep bass rumbling my windows and sofa really added another dimension to proceedings and was used to great effect; more so than in many other films. It really made my surround sound system come alive.

Underworld is and the trilogy as a whole, and a very worthwhile addition to any DVD or BluRay collection, as well as a great addition to the genre of the Vampire movie. They have to be up there as some of the best as, a bit like Blade, they took the idea of Vampires and turned everything we thought we knew about them on its head.

Underworld brings the Vampire genre up to date in a very credible way and starts of proceedings for an epic tale of politics and war between Vampire and Werewolf. Underworld is great stuff and even better than I remember it to be! I'll use a were pun here and say that, it's a blend of styles and stories that's a howling success.

Film Two - Underworld, Evolution:
Just as was the case with it's predecessor, this film is even better second time around. It's a lot easier to follow and the story makes a lot more sense.

It's even better when watched back to back with part one. As the Underworld mythology is quite intricate and convoluted and requires you pay attention if you want to follow it.

Evolution stays true the Underworld franchise, in that it's all out action mixed with a brilliant mythological background. It's old meets new, as vampires and werewolves continue to tear at each other throats with a series of modern day gadgets.

This time around though, most of the fighting is Vampire against Vampire, as the truth of the centuries old war slowly emerges. For the first time, humans enter the mix too - a touch which makes for an interesting climax.

There are one or two snippets in the film which don't quite make sense (for one, Michael was meant to be the only hybrid) but it doesn't spoil proceedings and the whole film is a hoot from start to finish.

The costumes, action, acting, set and scenery are all first class - making Underworld one of the best Vampire sagas around. A saga that this instalment of, helps both explain and move the story on nicely.

Underworld Evolution sets things up for part four (not featured in this collection) nicely and does as the name suggests... evolves the story line nicely.

Film Three - Underworld, Rise of the Lycans:
The third installment of the Underworld vampire saga tells the tale of how the war between the Vampires and the werewolves first started.

The prequel brings back characters from the first film but that is where the similarities stop, because this film has a distinctly medieval feel to it whereas the parts one and two where quite futuristic.

Kate is missing, but her stand in (of sorts) Rhona Mitra is perfectly cast in this tale which helps explain why Kate's character, Selene, was so loved by Victor - the head vampire - in part one.

There are some flaws with it though, particularly where Victor's death is concerned towards the end of the film (well, I say death but...) however these minor cracks in the story aren't enough to spoil your enjoyment.

There are shades of Romeo and Juliet to the tale and overall it's an excellent addition to the Underworld films, doing a good job of filling in some of the mythology.

The special effects and action are good, as is the story as a whole, and if you saw and enjoyed the previous two films, then you'll enjoy Rise of the Lycans too.

A blu ray review rather than a movie(s) review!!!

P/Q is good for all 3 films and gradually increases VERY slightly with each new release, however be aware that these are very dark films using nearly exclusively night shots so there will be inevitable grain on all discs, but don't let this put you off as it adds to the atmospherics anyway!!!

A/Q is decent on underworld & underworld evolution although they are not HD Codec (note: The cases state that they are encoded with dolby digital and strangely enough so do the on screen menus, however it is actually dts running at 1.5mbps!!!) Rise of the lycans however does come with a dolby trueHD codec and the difference, although not massively, is better and is a shame the first 2 films in the trilogy were not treated to it!!!

I would def recommend as an upgrade over DVDs with the extended version of underworld 1, better P/Q by far and much better than average audio!!!