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DVD Underworld (2-Disc Unrated Extended Cut)
Blade meets The Crow and The Matrix in Underworld, a hybrid thriller that rewrites the rulebook on werewolves and vampires. It's a "cuisinart" movie (blend a lot of familiar ideas and hope something interesting happens) in which immortal vampire "death dealers" wage an ancient war against "Lycans" (werewolves), who've got centuries of revenge--and some rather ambitious genetic experiments--on their lycanthropic agenda. Given his preoccupation with gloomy architecture (mostly filmed in Budapest, Hungary), frenetic mayhem and gothic costuming, it's no surprise that first-time director Len Wiseman gained experience in TV commercials and the art departments of Godzilla, Men in Black, and Independence Day. His work is all surface, no substance, filled with derivative, grand-scale action as conflicted vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale, who later became engaged to Wiseman) struggles to rescue an ill-fated human (Scott Speedman) from Lycan transformation. It's great looking all the way, and a guaranteed treat for horror buffs, who will eagerly dissect its many strengths and weaknesses. --Jeff Shannon
Review(s): DVD Underworld (2-Disc Unrated Extended Cut)
A Bit Surprisingly, This Is One Of The Best Vampire Or Werewolf Movies Ever
"Underworld" takes two staples of horror - the vampire and the werewolf - and matches them against each other in an action-movieesque power struggle, with a strong romantic element at its heart. I'll admit that from the trailers I didn't know if this would work - the love angle sounded fine, but I thought if you're going to have a vampires vs. werewolves war, why give them so much heavy firepower that it's going to change it from a horror movie into a straight-out action movie? Fortunately, those fears were unfounded. While the firepower and the swords do allow "Underworld" to function as a first-rate action film, they do not, in my opinion, hold the movie back from being a whale of a horror movie as well. Of all the martial arts/swirling swords/blazing guns and black leather horror out there that have formed their own little genre ("Blade" trilogy, "The Crow" movies, etc.), this and the "Resident Evil" movies sit atop the mountain. "Underworld" far surpassed any expectations I had for it.
A centuries-old war between vampires and werewolves (known as Lycans in the "Underworld" mythos) forms the scenario and the launching point, with the vampires currently in the winning position but with new developments in the wings for both clans that may shift the balance. The lead vampire is Selene (the gorgeous and perfectly attired Kate Beckinsale), a ruthlessly efficient 'Death Dealer' (vampire assasin) out to avenge the deaths of her previous (human) family at the hands of rogue Lycans, and she's brought into contact with a mortal named Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) who may be the key to creating a perfect vampire/werewolf hybrid that would be more powerful or dangerous than either species. The romantic story that slowly builds is never forthright but obvious nonetheless; it's 'felt' far more than 'seen' through the movie. A labyrinth of power alliances and ancient secrets sets the balance of the war - and several of the cast of characters's places within it - spinning.
The pantheons of werewolves and vampires remain credible horror creatures, their use of modern weaponry and martial arts fighting techniques (the latter mostly just for the vampires) serving not only to make the show more appealing for action fans but to differentiate the characters from those in previous great vampire and/or werewolf movies ("Bram Stoker's Dracula", the "Ginger Snaps" movies, the Hammer movies, "Dracula's Curse", etc.) And "Underworld" and "Blade" and such are actually helping the whole genre by Not retreading the ground that's been done so effectively before (although occsionally a werewolf or vampire movie like the just-mentioned "Dracula's Curse" will come along and work the traditional territory and still be fresh and awesome) but by forging out new screen territory for these classic creatures to operate in. Fellow horror fans will be happy to know that the action isn't confined to machine guns and swords - the Lycans are lethally effective in the fang-and-claw department, and both sides make use of more olden weapons (whips, cudgels, etc.), sometimes modified a bit for the creature's attributes. I.E. a Lycan can wield a far bigger and heavier cudgel or mace far more effectively than even the strongest human ever could. I'd like to see these weapons get more screentime in the sequel(s), just as I think it might not be a bad idea to take another classic race of monsters (maybe gargoyles or goblins?) and put a new spin on them. To keep going and be just as great as the first one they're going to have to add in some new characters beyond Selene et al., and there's no reason not to go beyond the established races of vampire, werewolf, and human.
Great characterization, impressive performances all around and high production values help "Underworld" live up to its full potential. Horror fans, action fans (especially those inclined towards great, larger-than-life martial arts action), fantasy fans who don't mind their fiction dark and violent, and any fans of rip-roaring adventurous movies where the love angle isn't just a cool subplot but an essential focus, have Got to see this one, and especially to see this extended version. Outstanding on all counts.
Extra Features Make the Unrated Directors Cut DVD
The "Underworld" sequel will soon be out so now is a good time to revisit the original. Personally I enjoyed this film more than any high budget "mainstream movie" I have seen in years years. But I can see many of the problems others have pointed out. Although the small action scenes work very well, the more elaborate scenes are disjointed, confused, and somewhat silly. If you compare the opening subway sequence to the train station sequence in "The Untouchables", you see an illustration of why less is better; and "Underworld" expends more ammo for less effect than anything this side of a "Godzilla" film.
Along with too much aggressive confusion is the silliest head-splitting in cinema history. Similar to the way Tarentino dispatched Lucy Lie in "Kill Bill Vol.1" (i.e. a delay in the actual detachment-I don't know which film did it first but Tarentine did it way better), the effects editor overlooked the need to show a slice in the head before it topples off. Surely this was just simple incompetence and not deliberate, because there are ways to show this (i.e. a line) that would still make it a relatively shocking scene.
The story itself breaks too many horror genre conventions and fails to generate much real suspense (although the climax is somewhat surprising). But ultimately these problems did not interfere with my enjoyment of the movie.
This was because it is first and foremost a Kate Beckensale's vehicle, as emphasized by recent trailer for the sequel. It is likely that your feeling about the film will depend on your impression of Beckensale. She has never looked better and I'm just talking about her face which I could watch in closeup for two hours without the slightest complaint. She is increasingly an absolute ringer for a 1940-ish Loretta Young. An earlier comment noted that: "This 30 year old has the figure and face of a magazine model, with the bored flat expression to match. Pour this tight little body into a rubber suit with especially reflective pants and you have something to anchor your movie". All this is very true but add intelligence, subtlety and nuance not seen since Diana Rigg was playing Mrs. Peel. The film does not demonstrate her range (you have to watch "Alice Through the Looking Glass" for the best evidence of that) but it is one of those rare cases where you can't imagine anyone but her in the role.
The production design, lighting, and cinematography are all excellent and the DVD has some great features explaining these aspects of the production.
The film has a nice consistent look that fits very well with the story. I don't understand the comments that are negative overall, or what films these people are unfavorably comparing it to, can't be the garbage films that have been coming to mainstream theaters over the past few years. Bottom line, if you like the genre, appreciate stylish production design, and think highly of Ms. Beckensale you should make it a point to see this movie.
Cool idea, standard story, unsatisfying ending
I'm not going to be too hard on this film because it really isn't that bad. It's just not very good, either. I'll start with the negative.
This movie has Kate Beckinsdale in it. Kate Beckinsdale is HOT. I sat through Serendipity just because she was in it. I enjoyed Van Helsing even more than I would've because Kate was so beautiful as Queen of the Gypsies. But in Underworld, Kate looks, well, just not very hot. She's still beautiful, but the whole pale, bad haircut, bodysuit look just doesn't do anything for her. So that's a big strike against the film right there.
Onto the positive: The film has an interesting premise though it doesn't really explore any new ground with it. These vampires are pretty standard vampires. Ditto, the werewolves. But there are some cool action sequences, a nice gothic feel, and solid acting.
Here's the BIG COMPLAINT: Like so many series books now, this movie doesn't end. It's just a setup for the next film. I don't mind a few dangling plot threads, but this movie pretty much stops in the middle of the story. The ending scene is as "To be continued . . ." as if I were watching a TV cliffhanger.
I HATE CLIFFHANGERS! I cannot stress this enough. When I pay seven bucks to see a movie, I want a whole movie. Not just the beginning of the movie. I want a set up, a conflict, and a resolution. Without that, any film is just wasting my time.
Overall, an okay film, but one I'd probably never watch again.
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