Underworld 4, in 3D, sees Kate Beckinsale's Selene escape imprisonment to find humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans. Now, man is conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.
The first Underworld merged edgy fantasy action with the dramatic dullness of a Spanish soap opera while the second was overstuffed with those same drab story elements. The third instalment, Rise of the Lycans, provided a somewhat entertaining yet shallow back story.
With Awakening, they hand the filmmaker’s whip over to Swedish directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, who seem to care less about expanding the Underworld universe and more about seeing vampires and werewolves mess each other up. I’m all for that. Kate Beckinsale also returns in her skin-tight leather outfit that relinquishes practicality for sex appeal.
Within the first minute, we’re given a Saw-esque overview of the past three films. After that, story elements are kept to a three-minute minimum, unapologetically eclipsed by the action sequences, which vary from junk-food brutality to hilarious absurdity.
The visual effects aren’t going to win any awards but they admirably cater towards the violence, making some decent use of the 3D. While the musical score is about as bland as a tofu sandwich, the relentless sound design is phenomenal, making you duck at every fired bullet and shiver at every Lycan’s growl.
Running under 90 minutes long, Underworld: Awakening has the mentality of a straight-to-video sequel, the body of an ADD child and the pulsing veins of a meth addict. It’s the cinematic equivalent to a mudslide: quick-n-dirty forgettable fun.
By Liam Maguren, Flicks.co.nz
Vampires fighting, and fighting Lycan (werewolves) as it should be. Lots of history, learning about the previous movies without watching them made (in 5min) made this even easier for anyone to fathom. Kinda "Lycan" to 'Daybreakers', 'Interview with a Vampire' and the 'Blade' series, rip-rawing slasher action with masses of punching, biting, eating, blood, etc... If you found 'Twilight' a little too boring and pansy vampires, then this will make it up to you. Genre : Vampire, action, fantasy, horror 4/5 : remember the genre, an this rating works.
'Underworld' seems to be an entire film franchise built around the premise that series creator Len Wiseman's wife, Kate Beckinsale, looks amazing clad head-to-toe in skin-tight rubber. The story and dialogue are almost as plasticine-looking as the "lycans " (that's werewolves to the un-Underworld-initiated) that don't look nearly as convincing as Ray Harryhausen stop-motion clay figures. Anyway, if this sort of mindless, sexist, formulaic movie floats your boat and if you love 'Underworld' movies, then this, like all those 'Resident Evil' movies, is the same old same old. For teenage hetrosexual boys this may well be heaven, but for those seeking a bit more - well, there's always the sight of Kate Beckinsale clad head-to-toe in skin-tight rubber to take your mind off the by-the-numbers popcorn action set-pieces that anyone who's seen 'The Matrix' has already seen... Oh, and in 3D? Well, unlike Scorcese's 'Hugo' which utilised the technology to bring added depth behind the screen, this resorts to the usual 1950's schlock-horror 3D tactic of hurling things towards the audience - none of which are very interesting, unless of course you count Kate Beckinsale, who looks amazing in 3D clad head-to-toe in skin-tight rubber. But then Kate looks amazing in any dimension... Two stars for mindless popcorn munching fun... and Kate's continuing S&M dominatrix wardrobe selection.
Fans will be pleased, although if you've never seen an Underworld film there's probably no reason to start now.
Not a complete disaster, but also not the vampire / werewolf mash we've always wanted.
More aggressively violent and thankfully less mythology-driven than previous installments, Underworld: Awakening is strictly for the converted.
A brisk creature-feature that ditches the series' dreary mythology in favor of a more direct, action-oriented approach.
The combat quotient, to the movie's credit, is way up, with narrative folderol kept to a minimum.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 1st Mar 2012.
Release date: March 1st 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
