>>REVIEW
UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION
STARRING: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman
DIRECTED BY: Len Wiseman
Now playing,
Check listings
Normally the phrase "just more of the same" is a bad thing, but if you’re a fan of 2003’s Underworld, it now becomes a very good thing because director Len Wiseman has taken that statement quite literally and made the same movie. With the action picking up exactly where the first film left off, Underworld: Evolution feels less like a typical sequel where the same characters are put in a whole new situation, and more like Underworld Volume Two.
And for this continuing tale of the war between vampires and lycans (werewolves to the uninitiated), more is the key word. The filmmakers have made every effort to ensure that all the elements enjoyed by fans of the first film are bigger and better for this outing. Because of this, Evolution not only matches its predecessor, it achieves the elusive goal of being better than the original.
The action sequences are more complex, fun and full of stylish stunt work. The effects, both computer generated and practical, have been vastly improved, especially for scenes involving the werewolves and the film’s antagonist. But most importantly, filmmakers decided not to shy away from the kill shots the same way that recent genre movies such as Aliens vs. Predator did. The throat-rippings, decapitations and overall blood and gore are in abundant supply, garnering the film a well deserved 18A rating.
For those with more interest in the sins of the flesh, there’s some of that thrown in, too. So if hearts aren’t pounding from the scares and gunplay, how about some pointless T ’n’ A, a steamy love scene, Scott Speedman constantly shirtless and Kate Beckinsale in that outfit – yes that outfit.
But what really helps Evolution become more than mindless popcorn fare is the mythology that was created for it and how this mythology is used to drive the story. The creation of vampires and lycans, the bloodlines involved and the corruption of those bloodlines were ideas that were introduced in the original film, but this time around the characters connected with them become even more pivotal to the plot.
Wiseman has successfully expanded this unique world for his characters to run around in and has created enough backstory and history to draw upon for more films down the road. Admittedly, it’s not going to win the Oscar for best original screenplay, but it’s certainly far more interesting than having another film about what happens when Dracula returns to walk the earth. |
Copyright ©2006 FFWD. All rights reserved.