'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...

Forgotten Prequels: Underworld- Rise of the Lycans (2009)

 A Film that basically exists to bring 2 Actors back into the Series.

This is Underworld- Rise of the Lycans, the 2009 Prequel to the first 2 Films.  This is...necessary?

In the first Film, we are told about what happened to create the Lycan Revolt and see Michael Sheen.
Now we got an entire Film about the thing we already know happened and one that causes mild retcons.

They had to go back and recolor Sonja's hair from the first Film. 
Kind of like how Lucas went back and replaced the ugly looking Palpatine in the first Film.

This is a full-on Flashback Film- with Selene narrating at the beginning and end- and elaborates on the whole Lycan situation.

It is also worth noting the Kate Beckinsale was married to Michael Sheen before she met Len Wiseman during the first Film's production...and went on to marry him instead.  
So maybe a Film that has Sheen back and not Beckinsale was also easier.

Regardless of whether it should, this Prequel exists, so let's blue...I mean, read on...

Long, long ago, we get the return of Viktor (Bill Nighy).

He has to deal with the threat of wild Werewolves- that never become human again- and decides to raise Lucian, the first Lycan.

He can and does become human.

This Film is about 30% just him making faces.

He uses Lucian to make a whole bunch of Lycans and then enslaves them with silver collars.

What a nice guy.

He's also not getting along well with his daughter Sonja (who is now brunette as intended).

She is impulsive, strong-minded and, well, him, but nicer.

As it turns out, she's also having an affair with Lucian, shown in a Scene that feels like a rehash of the chopped up one with Selene and Michael.

Well, except for this silly shot.

Lucian takes his collar off to save Sonja from some Werewolves, which does not make Viktor happy.

He gets his first of two on-screen whippings- a non-Roots record, right?- and is imprisoned.

While there, he forms an alliance with the Human Slaves- kept there for food and to make more Lycans- and the other Lycan prisoners.

Amongst the group is Kevin Grevioux, since he was one of the Writers of the first Film (and the general lore).

He escapes, but then comes back when Viktor arrests Sonja.

During this, we also see the conniving of Tannis, the only person from Evolution to be in this one. 
He gets put in place for his appearance there.

The rescue itself...goes poorly.

Viktor sentences his daughter to death and makes Lucian watch.

His first attempt to escape fails, but he soon summons the Werewolves (the 2nd time we see them charge the Castle here) and a battle ensues.

He thinks he's killed- but obviously didn't- Viktor, who flees with the other Vampires into the 1st Film.

We also get wrap-up via new Selene narration and a repeat of an Underworld Scene.

She is told that Viktor spared her for resemblance to his Daughter, because, sure, why not? 
The End.

A decent, if somewhat unnecessary Film.
Have I made that point yet?

In all seriousness, there are many good things here.

Nighy as Viktor is pretty one-note, but enjoyable.  He's just the evilest erudite until they brought in Charles Dance for the 4th Film.

Rhona Mitra as Sonja is pretty good too, really pulling off the look and having a presence.

As you may or may not know, she lost the Selene role to Beckinsale, so this is a good 'Silver Medal.'

The Werewolf VFX, as always, are nice.  They apparently used some of the leftover Suits from Dog Soldiers for this one, since they needed more on-screen at once than ever before.

The biggest issue here is visibility.
Since this is mostly about Vampires, it is almost always nighttime.  Throw in the continued abuse of the Blue Chroma Key feature and this Film is hard to make out for many, MANY Scenes.

While a bit redundant, I had some fun with this.  It's not great, but I won't lose my head over it.

Yes, this is a re-used prop from Evolution.

Next up, I wrap up my look at Underworld by going back to the original.  I also have the Unrated + Extended Cut, so there's hopefully more to love.  Stay tuned...

'06 Flashback: Underworld- Evolution (2006)

 Let's jump ahead to another Film that I haven't seen since I was an Usher.

This is Underworld: Evolution, the 2006 Sequel to the original.  It is bigger, bloodier and even more blue-tinted.

Seriously, remember how much they color corrected these Films?!?

The Plot involves our Heroine, her new hybrid boyfriend and, well, everyone following them.
Every time they move, we see someone arrive at the same Scene and either blow it up or kill the person/people there.

It is like a long, blue game of tag, but with Vampires in vinyl, Werewolves and multiple Doctor Who Actors.

Is this the big, bloody spectacle that I enjoyed all of those years ago?  To find out, read on....

A Flashback starts the Film and we see the key figures for the Plot.

We have Marcus (the first Vampire) and William (the first Werewolf).  

They are both deemed to be too dangerous, especially the latter.

He's locked up for, well, Acts 1 and 2.

In the Present, our Heroes are on the run from both the Head Vampires and the Werewolves (who are mostly just henchmen).

Selene learned about all of the lies (which I'll cover in the Underworld Review).

Meanwhile, Michael is the first Hybrid (infected by both a Vampire and a Werewolf) and they want him dead.

Marcus is awoken from his long slumber.  The remaining Vampires try to kill him, but he revives first.

Bye, remaining bad guy from the last Film!

This guy has big old bat wings (which he uses for flying and stabbing) and Voldemort's profile.

As mentioned, he is following our Heroes in their journey.

We also get the remaining Vampire Council Members sending henchmen after HIM to clean up the mess.

He finally catches up to them and attacks the duo as they drive away in a truck.

It is a great Scene and shows what people did with a limited amount of CGI, great makeup effects and lots of patience.

They realize that he's after Selene's necklace, so they go to get some exposition.

They find a guy named Tanis, who tells them that it is one half of the key to Michael's Cell.

Only Selene knows where said Cell is, however, as her and her (now dead) Sister were told the tale long ago.

Naturally, Marcus ends up following behind them and drains Tanis' blood to see what we just saw.

How convenient.

He eventually gets the keys from Selene and his Father (respectively) and frees the big beast.

Now it is up to Selene and Michael (plus disposable dead meat Vampire guys) to stop the two immortal, original creatures of their kind!

The duo succeed, thanks to Selene's ingenuity (and a crashed helicopter whose blades keep spinning) and Michael basically being a walking Cheat Code.

In the aftermath, Selene learns that drinking the blood of Michael's Father (one of the last Immortals) has now made her immune to sunlight.

Look for this to continue in...oh right, the 3rd one is a Prequel.
Never mind.

A fun Film because of and in spite of its excesses.

The Film has two things in spades (as old folks say)- Blood and Color Correction.

This is a hard R for blood (and implied nudity).  Lots of people are shot, stabbed, cut up and bitten.

The Film also continues the trend from last time of color correction in every possible shot.  The Smurf Films feature less blue than this Film!

As mentioned, the Plot is odd, featuring Selene and company meeting someone and then Marcus and/or the Vampires there like a Scene later.

The build-up to releasing Michael is epic, but it also means that his big defeat comes pretty quickly as the Film races towards the finale.
Oh well.

Apparently I never properly reviewed any other Film except Blood Wars, so I'll go back and make up for that in time.  Meanwhile...is that Vincent Van Gogh?!?

Next up, I revisit a James Cameron Classic in time for, well, his next billion dollar Movie.  How deep is this abyss anyhow?  Stay tuned...

Quick Reviews: Underworld- Blood Wars

It was either this or do that Resident Evil Film.  

Can you blame me?

Since we are now 5 Films into this Franchise, they indulge in some Explain Everything Montage fun.

On the plus side, I get to see this again.

In the wake of Humans hunting the Monsters last Film, Selena is still sans Michael (since Scott Speedman is too busy) and now her new Daughter.

Naturally, the whole Plot revolves everyone wanting said Daughter.

A new Female Character is all about scheming for power.  

On the plus side, this Villain is at least empowered.

The Villain is a Werewolf with a secret.

This may only be me, but they kept showing his facial scar.  Combined with the fact that he looks like Kraven (who had his head cut in part in the same place as the scar), I was a bit confused.

Can Selene stop this new threat and save her people?

Incidentally, are the Humans no longer a threat?  

I'm still wondering.

Will her victory come at too great a cost?

To find out, watch the film.

Some good, but mostly forgettable.  

Underworld: Blood Wars is a pretty forgettable Film.  

Case in point: I only watched it 2 days ago and I've forgotten most of the Characters' Names!  

It could be that I need to start tattooing information on my skin too, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.  

The Story is pretty good, but makes some pretty big jumps.  Like Resident Evil, they took a nice, long break before coming back, which means alot of repetition.  

If you know the Films, you just kind of roll your eyes as they explain everything all over again.  

If you don't know the Films, you have alot of catching up to do!  

The Series continues to bury itself in all sorts of Lore, now dropping more Characters and Settings on us that are supposed to just come organically.  

Without SPOILERS, I can say that the Film has one trick: betrayal. 

 It comes so often and so suddenly that I half-expected Selene to betray someone near the end.  Credit where credit is due- Beckinsale and company commit here.  

They don't commit to making Selene look as pale as they used to (on account of the no blood thing), but oh well!  

The Film as a whole is alright, but does nothing new or all that interesting.  Even so, it does have a backbone.

Some good moments in it, but the Style over Substance continues here.  Abandoned Plots and Blue Tints all around!