Review of Underworld (2003) by Rob C — 23 Dec 2011

A battle between two opposing clans---the Death Dealers and the Lycans---suck into their war a human who holds the key in his blood for a new species of beast. However, he befriends a female vampire who falls unexpectedly in love with him, much to the dismay of her clan.

Underworld had an interesting storyline, but I couldn't get past the vampires appearance in the film. They appeared too aristocratic and it made me wonder how they survived so long as the top species between the warring factions, when the Lycans had the warrior look to them.

Even from the start, the Lycans demonstrated more command, easily dispatching two of the Death Dealers in the subway station. After a rather big build-up with Selene (Kate Beckinsale) narrating and then jumping down off a high-rise all seductively, we're shown who really leads in power between the two, even when the Death Dealers get the spotlight.

Kate Beckinsale was a divine sight to behold, though, with her rather tight, leather outfit reflecting in the black-and-blue atmosphere of the film. However, it would have been nice if her dialogue was kept to a minimum, well all the dialogue.

We're even introduced to the most gunplay you'll ever see in a vampire/werewolf film, completely overshadowing their powers. The script fell flat here and it sometimes didn't feel like it was in the monster genre, just an added thing the producers wanted to throw in there.

Underworld is slick in appearance, but maybe less chaotic gunplay and believable dialogue would have made this film a little higher on my rating system. As it stands, we're just introduced to another stylized action film with no substance.