Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of the better vampire/werewolf films, 5 Dec 2008
This film was sold to me on the basis that it was a vampire film, and I thought 'oh no'. I started to watch it and was delighted to find that it was a werewolf film too. I've always preferred werewolves to vampires - there is something extremely visceral about ripping another person's throat with your teeth, much better than the bite and suck brigade.
It is in fact a vampire verses werewolf film.
At the opening of the film the voice over from Selene says:
"The war had all but ground to a halt, in the blink of an eye. Lucian, the most feared and ruthless leader ever to rule the Lycan clan, had finally been killed. The Lycan horde scattered to the wind in a single evening of flame and retribution. Victory, it seemed, was in our grasp, the very birthright of the vampires. Nearly six centuries had passed since that night, yet the ancient feud proved unwilling to follow Lucian to the grave. Though Lycans were fewer in number, the war itself had become more perilous, for the moon no longer held her sway. Older, more powerful Lycans, were now able to change at will. The weapons had evolved, but our orders remained the same - hunt them down and kill them off, one by one. A most successful campaign. Perhaps too successful. For those like me, a Death Dealer, this signalled the end of an era. Like the weapons of the previous century, we too would become obsolete. Pity, because I lived for it."
Background story:
Centuries ago the vampires decided that the best way for securing the survival of their species was for the three elders - Viktor (Bill Nighy), Marcus (Tony Curran), and Amelia (Zita Gorgo) - to rule on a rota basis. One awake, while two sleep. The memories of the vampire ruler being passed to the waking vampire elder by the taste of their blood.
The war between vampires and lycans (werewolves) began over 1,000 years ago, and the defining moment occurred 600 years ago when during a battle the vampire Kraven (Shane Brolly) killed the lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen) and set a great blaze which scattered the remaining lycans. As proof of his victory Kraven returned with the brand cut from Lucian's arm and was pronounced to be a hero.
Present day:
Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is a vampire death dealer, it is her mission to hunt down and destroy the remaining Lycans one by one. At the beginning of the film we see Selene and her team hunting down a small group of lycans. They follow them into the underground train station where she discovers that the lycans are trying to capture a human doctor named Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman). After a battle which foiled plans of the lycans they flee.
Selene follows the escaping lycans and discovers that Lucian, who was supposedly killed by Kraven, is still alive and that the lycans are not running in small groups but have massed for war again.
Returning to the vampire mansion she is seemingly not believed by Kraven (who wants her to be his mate/wife) and decides to find out about this Michael Corvin herself by searching his apartment. They come under attack from Lucian and a group of lycans and Michael is bitten.
Selene becomes more and more desperate to make her fellow vampires believe her. Against the covenant rules and because she has no where else to turn, Selene decides to awaken Viktor (her 'dark father', and the man who saved her from attack by lycans that wiped out her entire family), but things do not go as she thought they would and she is confined to her room to await trial by the vampire council. It is at this point that Erika (Sophia Myles), who wants to be Kraven's mate/wife, helps Selene escape.
As events unfold, the whole truth becomes known and the final battle between lycan and vampire approaches.
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All in all one of the best vampire films I have seen in ages, and a dvd 2 disc set that is full of extras (although many of the outtakes discussed in the commentary seem to be missing). I found this five star viewing.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Doggy, 2 Jun 2006
Directed by Len Wiseman, starring Kate Beckinsdale and Scott Speedman and largely filmed in Budapest, "Underworld" hit the big screen in 2003. It's a very stylish `monster' movie, though - a little unusually - humans are neither the heroes nor the victims. (The film doesn't stop for 'lunch').
Beckinsdale plays Selene, our 'heroine' and the 'good' vampire. She's a Death Dealer - a vampire soldier - in a war against werewolves that has lasted for around a thousand years. As time has passed, the weapons used by both races have been updated - there are no stakes or crossbows in sight, while the traditional silver bullet has been modified. The current battles are being waged with throwing stars, guns and grenades - all enhanced to target the specific weaknesses of the intended victim. However, tradition hasn't been entirely sacrificed - vampires are still stylish and pale, while the vampire clan still lives in an old-fashioned, classy mansion. (Like the weapons, however, it does incorporate some 'modern' aspects). Selene very much looks to Viktor for guidance - Viktor is one of the vampires' three elders and something of a father figure to Selene. However, as the film opens, he is in hibernation and the day-to-day running of the vampires' affairs are in Kraven's hands. Kraven, somewhat power-hungry, also has designs on Selene - however, she ins't even remotely interested - she regularly disobeys his instructions and doesn't believe a great deal of what he has to say.
Werewolves have officially been on the defensive for around 600 years, since Kraven killed their greatest leader, Lucien. However, they have never been fully defeated and, from early in the film, it seems the vampires have been lulled into a false sense of security. As well as the updated weapons, werewolves - or lycans, as they're known throughout the film - can now transform at will and no longer have to wait on the full moon. They appear to be in full control of their actions and can also heal more quickly while in wolf form. Where the vampires are pale and stylish, the werewolves are more animal-like and live underground. However, this hasn't stopped them performing 'medical research', with a particular interest in a family called Corvin. As the film opens, a couple of werewolves are stalking Speedman's character, a doctor called Michael Corvin. Selene, who's been on patrol and sees what's happening, is puzzled by this - it's clear the werewolves aren't just hunting for food. Her interest develops much further as the film progresses to the point of romance. This brings her a great deal of trouble when it becomes apparent the werewolves have 'turned' Michael. (It's also brought the comparisons with 'Romeo and Juliet' - a romance between two warring houses). As a result of the romance, she learns a great deal more about the origins of war and the night she was sired by Viktor.
This is a very enjoyable and stylish film, with some very impressive special effects. Although technically, I suppose, it's a 'supernatural' movie, there's a strong thriller element to it, with plenty of gunfights, political intruige, treachery, twists and turns...and if that's not enough, it's also got Kate Beckinsdale !! Absolutely recommended for those who love vampire movies. However, despite the comparisons with 'Romeo and Juliet', I can't really see it convincing your Shakespeare-loving aunt to start watching the Hammer films.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suprisingly Good., 26 Feb 2006
To be honest I wasn't too enthusiastic about this film. My friend was raving about it and lent me the DVD. I'd seen the trailer and heard the basic storyline and thought it sounded like a fairly bad movie that desperatley wanted to be the matrix.
The opening proved me completely right, or so I thought. Somewhere in the first couple of minutes this film transforms from an unengaging peice of mediocre pulp-action into an incredibley involving storyline that leaves you desperate to see what comes next.
Come to think of it I know exactly when the film makes this transformation, as soon as Bill Nighy arrives on screen. He brings the film out of the darkness and into the light (not literally as this movie takes place almost exclusively at night). The other actors seem to wake up and start actually acting, the plot suddenly gains momentum, layers, character, and suspense.
The effects in this film are rather unique. Where the majority of films seem to gravitate towards CG this one prefers to use wires, suits, and blank-bullets. This attitude to special effects gives the action an earthy yet supernatural and infinatley cool feel.
The plot turns the good guys bad, the bad guys good, then back again, and finshes leaving you wondering who the villains/heros actually are.
With an ending that leaves you desperate to see the sequel - now in cinemas, a list of amazingly non-action-movie actors, brilliantly down to earth effects and a rugedly-dark atmosphere, underworld is well worth getting and watching over and over again.
Enjoy.
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