Starring
Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver, Tobias Menzies, Bradley
James, Peter Andersson, James Faulkner, Clementine Nicholson, Daisy
Head, Charles Dance. Directed by Anna Foerster. (2017, 91 min).
The
original Underworld was a competently made, mildly
entertaining horror-fantasy that, while successful, wasn't anything
especially memorable. Aside from a sultry, leather-clad Kate
Beckinsale defying gravity as she shot and sliced her way through
legions of Lycans, there was little to distinguish it from similar
CGI driven action-thrillers. Yet here we are,14
years later, with a fourth sequel, Underworld: Blood Wars,
which probably prompted many of us to
say, "Really? They're still making those?"
I
never felt compelled to venture beyond the first film, even when the
other sequels popped up on television, and if Blood Wars
is any indication, I'm not alone. The film realizes the franchise
isn't exactly the Star Wars
saga, and wisely takes the time - through narration and flashbacks -
to recap major events from previous installments that newbies need to know.
 |
| As usual, Selene overdresses for the occasion. |
Beckinsale
returns as Selene, a vampire Death Dealer, now an outcast (she once killed an elder who betrayed her) and hunted by both Lycans and
the Eastern Coven. However, when the Lycans' powerful new leader,
Marius (Tobias Menzies), poses a serious threat, council member
Semira (Lara Pulver) suggests making peace with Selene so she can show Death Dealer trainees how to protect the coven. Semira also has secret nefarious plans to take control of the coven. Meanwhile, Marius is looking for Selene because her Lycan/vampire daughter's blood will
make him invincible.
It's
a lot of plot for an action movie and much of it is fairly
predictable, therefore not too interesting. The same could be said
for most of the characters. As Selene, Beckinsale still knows how to
fill-out a leather jumpsuit and smolder, but her main ally, David
(Theo James) isn't particularly dynamic and Marius makes a bland
villain. On the other hand, Lara Pulver effectively exudes sexiness and cruelty
in equal measures as Semira. There's an abundance of
bloodletting and CG action, which I suppose is what we pay to see.
Some of it is fun and engaging, though nothing you haven't seen
before in countless other similar films, including the original
Underworld.
By
no means terrible, Underworld: Blood Wars
is an unremarkable film that isn't apt to have much appeal beyond its
core of existing fans. Undemanding newcomers may find it watchable, as it moves along briskly and doesn't overstay its welcome, but it's
doubtful they'll wait with bated breath for Underworld 6.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
FEATURETTES:
"The
Evolution of Selene" (profile of the title character; "Building
a Blood War"; Old & New Blood" (featurette of new &
returning characters); "The Evil Evolved"
UNDERWORLD:
BLOOD WARS - Digital version of the graphic novel...good luck
actually reading it.
DIGITAL
COPY
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW
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