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| Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans |
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| Underworld:Rise Of The Lycans Movie Review |
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| POSTED Monday , January 26, 2009 01:05:33 PM |
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Plot:Prequel to "Underworld" which traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.
Cast: Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly.
My Thoughts:Weakest of the series so far.
Review:I had my doubts about "Underworld:Rise Of The Lycans" as a feature film. After "Underworld", and "Underworld:Evolution" I never really saw why they needed to go back in time and tell the story of Viktor and Lucien and the struggle the lycans went through for their freedom. Didn't we already deal with this storyline in the first and second films? Was it really necessary to rehash all of this stuff? Apparently the filmmakers thought so, although I didn't. "Rise Of The Lycans" really reminded me of a cash-in ploy.
Something they could use to squeeze a few more million bucks out of the series before moving on to the next film, tv show, or whatever. Or maybe it was just them giving Scott and Kate some time off before they return in "Underworld 4". These films are really difficult to do I'm sure, so maybe their two stars are burned out, and needed a movie in between to re-energize. Who knows, either way..."Rise Of The Lycans" is the weakest link in the series after it's come and gone.
That's for sure. It in my mind has taken "Underworld"s place in that regard, as the weakest movie of the series. "Underworld" had it's moments, but the love triangle aspect made it annoying in some parts, and then there was the blonde chick who hung out with Selene...can't forget how annoying she was. Atleast I couldn't. "Rise Of The Lycans" is basically an answer for those wondering how Viktor and Lucien's paths begun. It's the pre-cursor to Viktor's awakening in "Underworld", and eventual death at the hands of Selene. And Lucien's rise to the top of the lycan foodchain, only to many years later end up being betrayed by Craven.
A move which resulted in his own death. This film tells the story of those two and also Viktor's daughter Sonja...who finds herself in a Selene-esque predicament. Much like Selene couldn't keep herself away from Michael, Sonja couldn't keep herself away from Lucien. And thus this pisses Viktor off, and so a slew of major events are moved forward because of Sonja and Lucien's "affair". This all takes place as the werewolves and vampires are at war with one another.
With the lycans attacking the vampires and those under their charge at will, and the vampires enslaving the lycans to work for them, while trying to civilize a few of them...one of them being Lucien. The movie really has alot of undertones, such as warning people against something only makes them more drawn to it and curious about it, and how far some people are willing to go for love. Even in the midst of two powerful species being at war with one another. But this whole "romeo and juliet" forbidden love scenario was alot more fun to watch when Selene and Michael were the major players.
Here...it's just tired and recycled. They even bring back Kevin Grevioux as Raze for no apparent reason. After his stint in "Underworld", you'd think there'd be some interesting backstory to his character in the prequel. But alas, he utters a few lines, sides with Lucien, and that's pretty much it for him. This movie is really Bill Nighy's film. If "Rise Of The Lycans" does anything right....it's making Viktor look super-evil, and establishing him as the trilogies true villain, an even worse villain than Markus who was really just out to right the wrongs of the past.
Albeit he was still a killer and a murderer, nonetheless...compared to Viktor, Markus was a choir-boy. Rhona Mitra does well in her role as Sonja, although her character is mostly a subdued one until near the very end when she finally opens up a can of whoop-ass on the vampires trying to harm Lucien. But beyond a few cool looking, rain-slicked fight scenes in the night-time setting, this movie offers very little action and far too much rehashing of a storyline and plot arc we've been aware of for two movies now.
It would be like if they made "Child's Play 6", showing how Charles Lee Ray learned and eventually began implementing voodoo into his burgeoning criminal career. Who would pay to see that? While "Lycans" teases alot of slobber-knocking, jaw-dropping, and eye-popping battles between werewolves (lycans) and vampires, it offers little to none.
It's really a movie for people who haven't seen "Underworld" yet, or for people who weren't very clear on the backstory of the vampire and lycan clans, and wants to know what exactly is at the root of the hatred between the two warring species. For those of us who saw, and grasped the storylines of parts 1 and 2 though, such as myself...one phrase came to mind for me..."next." Lets move on shall we? Enough of living in the past.
Positives:Bill Nighy portrays the evil Viktor with grace, ease, and great skill. Rhona Mitra is pretty good as Sonja. Two good fight scenes sprinkled throughout an almost 90 minute movie.
Negatives:A stale storyline. The vampires hate the lycans because they believe they're inferior, the lycans recipricate the hatred because they're tired of being slaves, yes...we've established this two films ago. Kevin Grevioux is sorely underused, not many fight sequences and the film overall lacks the intense action this series has come to bring most of the time.
Overall:Two out of four stars.
Review by Mr. HoRrOr at Horror Movies &stuff.com
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