Review of Underworld: Evolution (2006) by Tanya B — 27 Feb 2010

NOTE: Sequel to Underworld (2003) . Underworld: Evolution opens with Vampire Selene [Kate Beckinsale] recapping the events in Underworld. Selene had been a Death Dealer for the Vampire clan for 600 years when she was betrayed. She explains how Kraven [Shane Brolly], ruler of the Vampire clan, formed a secret alliance with Lucian [Michael Sheen], ruler of the Lycan clan. When the Lycans found a third bloodline (human) that also descended from ancestor Alexander Corvinus, they tracked down descendent Michael Corvin [Scott Speedman] and turned him into a Lycan. After a big fight between Lycans and Vampires, Lucian was killed by Kraven. Before Michael died, however, Lucian told Selene to bite Michael: "Half Vampire, half Lycan -- they're stronger than both." Thus, Selene turned Michael into the first Hybrid. Selene then beheaded Elder Viktor, and she and Michael went into hiding.

With two of the three vampire Elders destroyed [see Underworld], Selene's only hope is to awaken the last remaining Elder, Marcus [Tony Curran], who is still in hibernation, and expose the truth before Kraven can kill Marcus. Selene hides Michael in a safehouse and heads over to the Vampire mansion to plead her case. Unfortunately, Kraven has already attempted to awaken Marcus, who has morphed into some sort of batlike creature, and Marcus has killed Kraven as well as all the other Vampires in the mansion. By drinking Kraven's blood, Marcus learned everything that has transpired while he was in hibernation, including the making of Michael into a Hybrid. Marcus locates the safehouse in which Michael is hiding, but Michael has gone out for a bite to eat. After downing half a plate of potatoes and cabbage, he begins to barf (being half Vampire, he needs to feed on blood). Suddenly a newsflash is shown of him on the television. Several of the restaurant patrons try to hold him with their guns, but Michael escapes. Selene realizes that Michael is gone and goes after him. Michael has been shot several times and is in need of blood, so Selene makes him drink some of hers.