Review of Underworld: Awakening (2012) by Brandi A — 25 Feb 2013

I wasn't a fan of the first three films, and likewise to say, the fourth hasn't done any justice for the franchise. I would do my best not to butcher the film to pieces, but that wouldn't be far to all the other vampires movies that have been released.

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and her lover's lives are changed suddenly with the discovery of the vampire and werewolf races, who had previously lived for centuries in an underground society. Their war was put on hold, with genocidal cleansing by the humans vanquishing many of either race. In an attempt to escape, Selene and her lover Michael (Scott Speedman, though not seen for long) are captured. Selene wakes up months later from cryogenic sleep, with the ability to see through the eyes of what she thinks if Michael, dubbed "Subject 2", as Selene is "Subject 1". What she finds however, is a little girl who has several revelations of her own.

On the run from the humans, and seeing how the Lycans have managed to thrive even in the new, human-controlled world, Selene must stand alone--even against her own kind--to protect the girl at all costs. All the while, she tries to track down her past lover, who has mysteriously dissapeared.

Though the film has its (very few) exciting moments, they either don't last very long, or are ruined by corny direction and terrible acting. Whether its the hollow-eyed news reporter from the beginning of the film, to the new, genetically superior werewolf that faces off against Selene. In fact, the only good performances comes from Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy), an investigator who joins Selene in her fight.

Along with this, the film shares it's fair share of plot holes--for example; after being frozen in a block of ice, she looses her clothes--and corny one-liners galore. Though, it must be a bonus that most of the story is lost when Selene pulls out her weapons and jumps off of walls--pointless girl-twirl included--as much of it doesn't have a comprehendable point anyway.

All in all, a thankfully short continuation of the Underworld saga, complete with the lackluster acting, corny action, and laughable dialogue of the first three. In a way you could say that it was as good as the others, but I hardly think that would be a compliment.