Review of Underworld: Awakening (2012) by Filipeneto — 15 Jul 2020

This was the fourth film in the "Underworld" franchise and, in this film, the war is widespread, with human beings finally gaining awareness of the existence of two immortal species living among them. Let's face it, after so much blatant destruction, it is hard to believe that normal humans discovered vampires and lycans so late! This film takes place, approximately, ten to twelve years after those of the preceding film.

Finally, Len Wiseman leaves the director's chair, for which he does not seem to have been very well tailored, but keeps writing the script. As a result, perhaps, the film continues to present a totally stupid story that is not subject to any logical attempt at understanding. For this reason, the film focuses on offering high doses of hard action and violence, full of style but empty of content. It works, if we want a movie where we don't have to think at all. Even so, I felt that this film was less exaggerated than the previous ones, and there was some effort for the film not to look like a video game.

The cast continues to be led by Kate Beckinsale, but she seems increasingly listless of what is going on around her, almost as if she were acting on autopilot. Scott Speedman conveniently disappears after two films where he has done nothing except to exist, but is replaced by a monotonous Michael Ealy and an uninteresting Theo James. India Eisley is beautiful, but her character seems too exaggerated and too adult. Stephen Rea is globally good, but adds little. In the midst of the global disaster, Charles Dance stands out on a positive note.

Technically, its a film that maintains the emphasis of the previous ones, betting almost everything on the incredible action scenes and on a CGI and absolutely overwhelming effects that make this film truly beautiful from the visual point of view. Almost all monsters and werewolves were well executed and designed. The film remains dark and the absence of warm colors is permanent in cinematography.