Underworld - Rise Of The Lycans (DVD)

...many ways, it is. The Underworld saga has enjoyed a couple of enjoyable films, which have served to cinematise in quite a glossy and violent way the fantasy world of vampires and werewolves.

However, this prequel is very dark, in more ways than one. Set in medieval times, and with Kate Beckinsale seemingly nowhere in sight, we see the history behind the struggle between the vampires and the werewolves. Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) ...
...own right, without worrying about Underworld 1 and 2. However, the cast members for some of the main characters are those who have been in it since the first, and many characters are in all films, meaning that it also makes sense as part of the series. I wouldn't say that it's essential or even necessary as part of the sequel, and doesn't really cover ground that hasn't at least been explained in the previous films.

In terms of the ... more

You would be excused for thinking this is yet another Hollywood lazy prequel, because in many ways, it is. The Underworld saga has enjoyed a couple of enjoyable films, which have served to cinematise in quite a glossy and violent way the fantasy world of vampires and werewolves.

However, this prequel is very dark, in more ways than one. Set in medieval times, and with Kate Beckinsale seemingly nowhere in sight, we see the history behind the struggle between the vampires and the werewolves. Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) has something over other werewolves: the ability to change from human to werewolf. He's not alone, but he is the first of his kind, who are slaves to the coven. Lucian, as the first, is special, and is elevated to chief protector over the vampire coven that he was created by.

Victor (Bill Nighy) is the head of the coven, and father of Sonja, who is curiously having an affair with Lucian. Tensions between the vampires and the Lycans are high, with the slaves mutinous for a lot of the time. Surely, it would only take one thing to make them rebel and start an all out war...

There are a few things going on here. The medieval nature of the film, and the fact that it is a prequel, mean that you could watch this as a film in its own right, without worrying about Underworld 1 and 2. However, the cast members for some of the main characters are those who have been in it since the first, and many characters are in all films, meaning that it also makes sense as part of the series. I wouldn't say that it's essential or even necessary as part of the sequel, and doesn't really cover ground that hasn't at least been explained in the previous films.

In terms of the cast, we have a quite splendid Bill Nighy as Victor, a role he reprises from the other films. He is a powerful figure, and very believable. The talent here comes more in the vocal area, particularly the venom and the incredulity his character often uses. The visual is somewhat smothered by makeup and contact lenses to make him look vampirical.

Michael Sheen takes up the role of Lucian, and I have to say I was equally impressed. If any, I suppose the role isn't as powerfully developed as it could have been, but he does very well with what he was given. Rhona Mitra finally manages to get her teeth into a significant Hollywood role, and I thought she, too, was impressive, although not as good as the two male leads, and not quite as good as Kate Beckinsale's moody Selene in the previous two Underworld films.

The rest of the cast do well, with the majority of them on a par. There were good standout roles for Steven Mackinstosh as Tannis, Victor's educated aide, and Kevin Grievoux as Raze, a hulking black human who becomes a Lycan. However, the acting is surpassed by the special effects team, who do another outstanding job of putting the werewolves and vampires onto the screen without making them look fake. You really get the feeling that these guys are the real deal.

The only problem is that it's very hard to see anything. The film's mood is incredibly dark throughout, but it's matched in the filming itself. Everything is so dark all the way through. I understand that it's set in medieval times and there wasn't electricity, and that vampires can't go out in the sun, but I felt they went overboard with the darkness. Everything takes on a very dark blue hue to it, as if it is perpetually a moonlit setting. While this may be true, I felt it detracted from the film.

Overall, a very good showing, and one I would recommend. I like that you don't really need to have seen the other two, but I also like that it helps understand them, as well. Good acting and special effects, it's just a shame that you can't really see much from time to time.

I received the DVD as part of a free trial I've currently got with Blockbuster. As a result, there are no extras, and I didn't buy it for a price. However, I know that it is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £9.98. It's worth watching, but you may want to wait a couple of months until it drops in price. It's still a relatively new release. 

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