Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Reviews

Two movies into the "Underworld" series, the creative team made a surprisingdecision to make a prequel instead of move ahead with the story that had just earned them a healthy sum at the box office. But was it really a strange choice? In retrospect, no. Despite its exciting action and amped up visuals, "Evolution" had effectively weakened the foundations of the first movie that had endeared the public to the franchise. So it was logical, even wise, choice to attempt to repair that damage.

And so they did with "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans", which gave the viewer a chance to see the very roots of what had started the hateful blood feud between Lycans and vampires. Where "Evolution" had complicated the mythos with extraneous characters, pre-Lycan werewolves, and a cheapening of Viktor's menace, "Rise" sought to remind us why we were invested in this story to begin with.

At its core, the movie is yet another take on the forbidden love formula of "Romeo and Juliet" which, let's face it, is hard to screw up or dislike. A smattering of subtext about race and justifiable insurrection make this tried and true approach all the stronger and, just like that, we have an immediately likable hero in Lucian (an engaging Michael Sheen) to go against the villainous vampire that owned every scene he was in in the first movie, Viktor (Bill Nighy). Rhona Mitra is uniquely beautiful and poised as Lucian's paramour. These three give a movie about monsters fighting each other much more credibility than you'd think.

Patrick Tatopoulos, who formerly was in charge of creature design, takes on the directorial reins and brings the presentation down from gothic comic book fare to fantasy horror drama while never losing that visual aesthetic cohesiveness that makes the film feel undoubtedly like part of the series. His keen eye serves the material exceptionally well and the action, though still fantastic, seems far more realistic than previously in the series. Better yet, it stands out as the most rousing and visually arresting. Most importantly, he makes sure the film has its own strong identity and never lets the audience miss Beckinsale's Selene.

Again, the effects work is a mixture of the practical and CGI with the latter being used only when absolutely necessary and downright logical (i.e. hordes of hundreds of wolves). The dark monotone hues help the two mediums work together very well despite a few minor hiccups here and there. The sets and costuming are spectacular and really work to give the world a lived in look so pivotal to making fantasy or period pieces work.

You wouldn't think they could wring much out of a backstory they touched upon quite a bit in the previous two installments but the writers managed to do not only that but give it a surprising amount of substance and heart. More importantly, they retroactively give meaning to some of the weaker points of "Evolution" and allow you to forgive some of the stupider ones (the key mechanism in Viktor's chest) by actually given heft to the Lycan's plight and Viktor's hatred of them.

"Rise of the Lycans" can not exist without its ties to the first "Underworld" film but it certainly does much to stand apart on its own. In all honesty, this is probably the best film in the series and while that is not a hard bar to reach it is rare that a sequel outdoes the film that birthed it.

This movie is definatly my top movie. I didn't know what to expect going in since I had never seen the other two movies. Then it was explained to me that this should have been the first movie, which worked out perfectly for me to watch them in order.

éééé ... legal.
mas o primeiro ainda é o melhor.

tomara que façam um quarto filme ... com Rhona E a Beckinsale...
The Lesbian underworld ... já pensou?!?!

You are credit to your race. Do you know how to remain so? Keep your eyes on the ground.

For God's sakes, when you're watching this film, don't keep your eyes off the screen! The third installment of the "Underworld" series started off with little promise; it must have been the knowledge that Kate Beckinsale wouldn't have made a major appearance in this film. Ever since The Mummy 3 didn't deliver as promised (I contribute it's semi-failure to the absence of Rachel Weisz), I became wary of how the trilogy would work out. Lo and behold, Rise of the Lycans was a fun follow-up to Underworld and Underworld Evolution.
Centuries before Selene (cameo by Beckinsale) was born, the powerful vampire coven, led by Viktor (Nighy), survived by exerting fear over the humans and fighting an endless battle with the products of William's (who is known as the werewolf brother of Markus) ravaging: the pure werewolves. When one of the werewolves gave birth to a human child, his instincts told him to destroy the child. Instead, he spared the baby's life and, when the child was all grown up, made him work for him as a slave. That child was Lucian (Sheen). Viktor took advantage of Lucian's ability to change into a werewolf and back to a human at will, and he created an army of deadly werewolf-human hybrids. These served as the vampire's protectors during the daytime, and at night, they did all the heavy labour. Viktor became too concerned with the state of affairs, that he failed to see a forbidden affair blossom between Lucian and his only daughter, Sonja (Mitra). The movie basically explores the origins of the Lycans and how the war between the vampires and werewolves started. This is no teeny-bopper film; the Gothic tones and entirely dark scenes (what I mean by that is that most of the scenes occurred during the night, save for when Lucian and a handful of his fellow Lycans escaped Viktor's keep) capture the dark mood and the feeling of how it is to be a creature of the night. No sparkles, no cheesy one-liners, this is how a vampire/werewolf showdown should be like.

The third installment of the Underworld series; more of a prequel to set the standards for the previous two films. Set back in time a few centuries from the original; this takes place in the middle age era, weapons including swords and bows, no guns around yet. Seeing that fact I knew I was in for a treat, being that guns do a lot of damage but don’t show a lot of bloodflow; they might leave a person in a puddle but they don’t cut a person in two or send arterial sprays throughout the screen. Opening up with the vampires in the area controlling lycans (not direct descendants of William, but actual controllable warewolves through their genetic start at Lucious) to remain human through a necklace which would puncture them if they grew too big. Both upset about being in his situation along with his brothers and in love with the master’s daughter Sonya; Lucious knew something had to be done soon to conquer both challenges he faced. As the movie continues on, a few faces will graze the screen which will look familiar to you, these are the characters in the future installments and their stories just about start in this chapter. The few holes I thought this film did not fill in for me were answered right towards the last seconds of the film; and I am most likely going to see this film again in theatres after viewing the first two of course. It was a good feeling watching the ending, not much like the first time witnessing a surprise in a movie; you can ever go back and forget it again (unless you get REALLY stoned.) Again, as always, seeing a film like this in the theatres (unless you have one of your own) really makes it better; and this one is definitely one to catch on the big screen. If you can see it on a weekday or early on the weekend, it would be better; as this flick dragged a lot of stupid teenagers with stupid shit to say during the film.

Viktor: I should have crushed your skull under my heel when you were born.
Lucian: Yes, you should have.
[Rams his sword down Viktor's throat]
Lucian: But you didn't

''Without the loyalty between us, we are no better than the beasts at our door.''

An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

Michael Sheen: Lucian

The third outing for Underworld takes a number of new paths. One in the guise of its prominent new Director Patrick Tatopoulos, and another in the shape of it's prequel story. Yes, there is no Kate Beckinsale on display but another personified beauty in the role of sassy femme fatale, this being Rhona Mitra playing Sonja. Old characters are fleshed out and given their murky pasts emphasis and show, old favourites like Lucian and Viktor all return to their magnificent parts.
The main strengths of Rise of the Lycans is in it's fantasy, it's amazing costumes, vibrant battles and gore, and dark tones. However this is an entertainment strain of story, a benevolent product of fun. The cast and crew know it and don't try to make it something it's not, this is a part of a franchise and growing mythical world.

It must be said the romance feels abit forced and the battles feel too fast to be appreciated at times. Opting for blurry, heightened, rushing of sorts without being able to appreciate the glorious moments on offer. The violence seems to be not as bad as intended in the sense you're used to it by now if you're an Underworld enthusiast or fan.
Sadly,for me I miss the guns and modern feel the other films had, especially the original one.

''Sonja, if I were to leave, would you come with me?''

It must be said, that Bill Nighys Viktor is too good to be without, hence why he's stuck around for two films after his demise in the first. In this he shows a villain, whom is cold and merciless yet in moments compassionate and full of dread and regret for his ominous decisions. Like any Royal family of any kind, he has principles and wants to uphold traditions of old, and Bill Nighy gets these factors across magnificently.
Michael Sheen as Lucian also shines in his role, as Lucian, thus taking up his mantle of one of the first roles I ever saw him play. He has a passion, and fierceness to him that is resonant in all parts I've seen him play, whether it's Tony Blair, shady business men or monks, he always makes the part his own with his beneficial talents.
Rhona Mitra as Sonja, Viktors Daughter, effectively sinks her teeth into her role, making it similar to Beckinsale. Even her signature moves are a pastly echo of Selena, which is pleasing.
One sex scene that Sheen & Mitra have felt abit wooden I must admit, even a bit of a giggle with him hanging from a cliff, held by her thighs. If you aren't paying attention, then you might like I wonder what the hell is going on. I was certainly bemused by this.

The music, setting and era, are all dark and effective, similar to Legacy of Kain and Soul Reaver video game series perhaps?. Rise of the Lycans is a story anyone familiar with the previous installments will know already,how it will enfold. Yet some parts are enigmatically told in a fresh way, that we didn't know before.
It starts with little Lucian being born and spared by Viktor, and brought up and raised as a slave. The Werewolf people being servants for the Vampire kind. The Werewolf servants being called the race of Lycans, hence the title. The film proceeds to emboss things, facts and issues that were previously discussed on the other stories in the future. It's fun, and thrilling but I did manage to spot a few loop holes as weaknesses, but these aside, Rise of the Lycans is to be enjoyed and taken in for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall, this is a feast for the eyeballs. Fans of fantasy, romance, vampires, creatures and detailed costumes and settings will love it. Of course the gore, blood and fighting too also is a peak of excitement for all. So Rise of the Lycans is a valuable delving into Underworld mythology, and without a doubt, I loved it, despite flaws, I indeed Lycaned it...

''I have lived by their rules my entire life...I've protect them, envied them, and for what? To be treated like an animal...we are not animals! Is this what you want? We can be slaves... or we can be LYCANS!''