'00s Class: Underworld (2003)

 At long last, the time to revisit the original Film has arrived.

This is Underworld, a 2003 Horror Film that really changed the game.  It was designed to be deep in lore about Vampires and Werewolves.

So deep, in fact, that they had to settle a lawsuit with the people over at White Wolf.

The Plot, if you don't know, involves Selene.  She's a Vampire who is a Death Dealer- essentially the strike force of her Clan.  She runs across a scheme involving Michael and everything changes.

Besides the focus on lore, this Film brought in creative ways to show a modern Vampire and Werewolf, a constant blue lighting and continued the Action in Leather trend from The Matrix.

Personally, I remember going to see this at my local Theater and seeing two Goth people hanging out at the Mall before the Showing.  We joked that they were also going to see this...and they were.

To see how one Film can break up a marriage and also lead to a new one, read on...

Selene is a Death Dealer.  She kills Werewolves.

She runs across an attack in the Subway by some Lycan, but doesn't realize just yet who their target was.

Her Leader- for now- is Kraven.

He is in charge due to a tale of heroism and, well, nothing else.

I guess anyone with that jawline gets a pass.

This is Lucian.

He's a legendary Lycan that led a revolt that started the War between both groups.
To see how that went, go to Prequel Review here.

He's supposed to be dead- killed by Kraven- so why is he leading an attempt to capture a human?

Said Human is Michael, an EMT in Prague (which the Film doesn't pretend is America).

He's being targeted due to his blood, which can apparently allow him to become a hybrid of Lycan and Vampires.

Said Lycans are absolutely terrifying- shades of Dog Soldiers and The Howling- and are aided by the fact that Kraven is downplaying their threat all the time.

It is because he is working with Lucian- shock horror!

Fortunately, Selene has her own Q to make her some bullets that release silver nitrate when they enter a body- something that is deadly to a Lycan.

They retrofitted some bullets that released UV light (in capsules) used by the Lycan in Act 1...that never appeared again.

Selene also awakens the Vampire Lord Viktor (Bill Nighy) early to deal with the rising threat.

Of course, she then finds out later that he killed her family, but spared her (due to her resemblance to his Daughter that he killed).

In a crowded Act 3, lots of Characters- like Lucian- die, others are betrayed and Selene kills Viktor to save Michael, who has fully transformed into a hybrid after her bite.

To see what followed, of course, go to the Sequel's Review here.

A Film that thankfully holds up pretty darn well.

The Film really has some great atmosphere.  Yes, everything is tinted blue.

They make the whole world feel very lived in by fleshing out so many details.

You only really notice that there are like 5 important people here if some jerk points it out to you.

Speaking of details, I watched the Extended Unrated Cut.
It isn't much bloodier and it is only a bit longer.  The big winner here is Erika, the blond vampire, as she actually has more Scenes and agency.

Otherwise, it doesn't help.

The Film looks and feels great after all of this time.  The big moments still hit and it is worth a rewatch.
Some moments- like this- will live in my brain forever.

Next up, let's celebrate Black History Month with a return to Bond.  Does my favorite Bond Film ever hold up today?  Stay tuned...