The Underworld movies exist in that sweet spot for vampire fanatics who think Twilight is too Sweet Valley High, but also don't want to deal with all the silly bloodsucker mythology. You think Selene(Kate Beckinsale), Underworld: Awakening's buxom and beautiful death dealing vampire "hero" is going to ask permission to enter somebody's house? Then you're probably watching the wrong movie.
After skipping the dreadful prequel, Rise of the Lycans, Beckinsale is back and she's never been sexier or deadlier. Conceived by Len Wiseman, Beckinsale's husband, back in 2003, it's probably a surprise to many that the franchise has survived as long as it has. They've proven to be a creatively consistent, financially successful B-movie force, even as Wiseman has handed the directorial reins over to others. Underworld: Awakening sees the Swedish duo of Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein at the helm, and they're just what was needed to give the film a fresher, sleeker look. Gone is the heavy darkness that frequently obscured the action, yet the trademark bluish hue remains.
A plodding but necessary recap of the first two films re-introduces us to Selene and her centuries long battle against the Lycans(werewolves), and her ultimate war with the vampire monarchy. Years later, humans have discovered the presence of both races, and swiftly initiate "The Purge", a genetic cleansing that all but wipes them out. After a violent separation from her hybrid lover, Michael(Scott Speedman), Selene awakens from a frozen slumber as the experiment of an evil corporation. Freed by fellow prisoner, a powerhouse of a 10-year old girl(India Eisley), Selene must locate Michael while learning to survive in the new world where her kind is now the hunted. Her quest leads her to some unexpected allies: the only cop in town who isn't trying to track her down(Michael Ealy); and David(Theo James), a brave vampire who has "future love interest" written all over him.As Selene mows down rows of lycans and outmatched humans, it becomes clear that Stein and Marlind were given the green light to ramp up the violence. Selene has never been more brutal and bloodthirsty, and some will find the change a little jarring. It makes sense, however, as this is the most personal attack Selene has faced yet. Free of all the bloated vampire royalty stuff we've seen before, the focus can shift completely to the most interesting character in the series. Selene is consistently compelling, even when the script(written by Wiseman and a handful of others) does her no favors.
Underworld lost a good deal of acting power with Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy unable to return, and adding vets like Stephen Rea(The Crying Game) and Charles Dance are a poor substitute. Sheen and Nighy knew not to take these movies so darn seriously, even while every other actor did. Ealy in particular looks like he's having about as much fun as a Death Row inmate. After much speculation about whether or not Speedman would return, he actually does.....in some ugly archived footage interwoven to look current. They would have been better served just leaving him out totally, and having his whereabouts remain a mystery.
Knocking Underworld for some wooden acting and sub par writing is pointless. It's Beckinsale who drives this engine, and it's funny to see her as the unstoppable warrior here, while at the same time she's basically a frightened damsel over in Mark Wahlberg's Contraband. She's a natural action hero and far more believable in tight leather, armed to the teeth with a pair of machine gun pistols. At nearly 40-years old, Beckinsale doesn't appear to have lost a step, even as the physical nature of the role appears to have increased.
The Underworld movies at this point are made to appeal to the initiated, those who have spent three movies wrapped up in the vampire war. Underworld: Awakening will more than satisfy those folks, and with some fresh blood behind the camera, and Beckinsale's continued presence, there's good reason to think the franchise will be around for a long time.
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