| This prequel to Len Wiseman’s Underworld and Underworld: Evolution is distinctively different, especially minus the nimble vampire warrior star, Selene (Kate Beckinsale). Underworld: Rise of the Lycans takes its cues from the vampire/werewolf battles that occur in the other films, but director Patrick Tatopoulos focuses here on the young werewolf Lucian's (Michael Sheen) rise to leadership. Rise of the Lycans is set mostly within the walls of vampire lord Viktor’s (Bill Nighy) castle, so the film’s silver, black, and blue palette reflects a world happening under moonlight. From the outset, when Viktor brings Lucian, the first werewolf, into the world, this villainous bloodsucker’s daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), is smitten with Lucian’s hairy appearance and instinctual intelligence. As years pass, Lucian grows tired of watching his race suffer slavery and imprisonment, and recruits a human named Raze (Kevin Grevioux) to assist rebellion. This archetypal plot is not so riveting, and what carries Underworld: Rise of the Lycans are the battle scenes between vampires and werewolves, which are excitingly fast-paced and brutal. The whole film adopts a medieval battlefield aesthetic that carries an otherwise clichéd story about illicit love and freedom fighting. Some characters, like the traitor vampire Tannis (Steven Mackintosh), also intrigues throughout, as one guesses who he will ally with. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans may not be the finest film in the werewolf and vampire archives independently, but its mixed monstrosity makes it unique and entertaining, especially on a big screen. --Trinie Dalton
Stills from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (click for larger image)
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 Aesteticly Beautiful |
| Review Date: February 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ryld, Chandler, AZ USA |
| I am a big fanatic about werewolfs and This is another movie to add to the classics I think. it gives another look at werewolves that is not mentioned or thought of in most stories and movies. I love the lighting throughout the whole movie. it was beautiful. I was driving home after watching it the moon lit everything just like the movie and I just was hopping to hear some howling!! |
A nice prequel to a much loved series!
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| Review Date: February 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michelle L. Beck, Atlanta, Georgia |
We all know from previous Underworld movies, that Viktor killed his beloved daughter, Sonja because of her relationship with a Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen). So, while this installment didn't offer anything new in terms of storyline, it did allow us to see Sonja through Lucian's and her father's eyes. It also allowed us the opportunity to see Lucian's rise to be "pact leader", but we saw some of the other characters that appear in later Underworld movies (Raze & Tannis), and came to a greater understanding about the divide between the species.
Viktor, the leader of a Vampire clan is determined to use the "werewolves/Lycans" (who he believes are savages and just need to be controlled) as slaves, protectors and workers, all while controlling the humans and remaining one of the most dangerous leaders on the counsel. Viktor believes that controlling these mindless creatures and imprisoning them will strengthen his rule. His favorite "pet" is the strong minded Lucian, a Lycan, who can control his turns from human to werewolf, and who is secretly in love with his daughter, the very independent Sonja. Believing that she has betrayed him (by mingling with the Lycans) and their kind (Vampires), Viktor decides that her demise is the only answer. Of course, Lucian fuelled by revenge, sorrow and regret responds with a swift attack, and soon learns that he has control over both those who are deemed wild and those who welcome leadership. We are soon privy to a battle between the two species that will go down in vamp/were history and prove to be foreshadowing for the Underworld series. And of course the movie ends with the beginning of the Underworld series and a glimpse of Selena (the very beautiful Kate Beckinsale), revisiting the tale.
I enjoyed this prequel to the Underworld series. I thought that Rhona Mitra's portrayal of Sonja was brilliant (and she definitely favors Beckinsale), and what isn't there to love about the brooding Bill Nighy who is all too real in as Viktor (I think he is the best vamp ever) and the long suffering Michael Sheen, who is the only person that I could see ever playing Lucian. I am even hoping to visit Underworld one more time. After all, I am sure that Selena and Michael could fight evil one more time.
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Romantic with a Capital 'R'
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| Review Date: April 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Thiago Sardenberg, Brazil |
Romantic literature is by far my favorite kind, and I often come across a movie or other media that captures its very essence. This third Underworld movie does it in a magnificent way: from the heightened feelings of love and hate, the pairings of life and death, to the escapist medieval setting with its castles and woods and ominous presences lurking in the shadows. It's a gothic story at its prime.
Performances are more than satisfactory; especially Sheen, who does a great job as our new-found hero Lucian. Special effects are stunning, especially considering the relative low budget of the production.
Overall, I left the theater very pleased and hope Screen Gems takes us back to the Underworld sooner than later. |
Easily the best out of the series a TRUE VAMPIRE FILM !
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| Review Date: May 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: , |
| This in my opinion is what I wanted from the 1st two films. Although I did like the second one better than the 1st. This is what vamparism is all about and it reminds me of old school. I haven't seen anything so beautiful since Interview with a Vampire and Bram Stokers "Dracula". The problem with the series was it came across like a MatriX ripoff with too many Guns. And the Vampires seemed very feeble at times relying on artillery. Which in my opinion made the movie pointless. In this movie, they were what they were and they fought fairly and with integrity. Also it took money and time to make it a time piece. Which I thought created the perfect environment and mystic for vampire fans. This is a must have ans a must see and a truly emotional story. I hope the continue with this story and not the previous one. I just don't think there is anywhere else they could go with Saline and the hybrid . Even, he was a disappointment in my opinion. It would be nice to continue with this story. And show how and where .. what time in space did victor and Saline meet. And the story of Marcus and that other queen that got killed on the bus in the 1st movie. I would love to see her reign and there story ! |
spectacular beginning as an end!
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| Review Date: January 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Erynn Gray, New Orleans, LA |
I so loved another powerful woman having a key role in an Underworld movie!
It was also ultimately exciting to see how Lucien became what you saw of him in the first movie. My favourite character is Lucien and it is nice to see the Lycan side of the story--with being a lifetime vampire person, the Lycans really turned my head with these movies.
Will see it again in the theater and definitely purchase when it comes out on DVD! |
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