Film Snail

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

6.5

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

R·2009·92m

Summary

A prequel to the first two Underworld films, this fantasy explains the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Aided by his secret love, Sonja, courageous Lucian leads the Lycans in battle against brutal Vampire king Viktor. Determined to break the king's enslavement of his people, Lucian faces off against the Death Dealer army in a bid for Lycan independence.

Crew

Director

Patrick Tatopoulos

Characters

Kevin Grevioux

Characters, Screenplay, Story

Danny McBride

Characters, Story

Len Wiseman

Screenplay

Howard McCain

Screenplay

Dirk Blackman

Story

Robert Orr

Reviews

John Chard

John Chard

October 9, 2015

7

I should have crushed you under my heel the day you were born.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the prequel to the previous two Underworld films. It tells the story about what led to the werewolf/vampire feud, with bloody energetic results.

In core essence this is Braveheart/Spartacus, only in CGI laden horror/action form. Michael Sheen buffs up into Karl Urban, who as Lucian (bad ass Lycan) leads his species to a bloody revolt, and Kate Beckinsale has made way narratively for Rhona Mitra, who sexes things up. The action is pulse raising and the Gothic designs and atmospherics are first rate, while the battle royale finale is fit to crown any genre film of its type.

Problems are evident, though. The constant flow of CGI blood becomes irritating after a while, and Bill Nighy (in spite of being a franchise regular) is still looking miscast! But it has proved to be a series with hairy legs and fangs that refuses to die, a popcorn munchers dream. So enjoy the spectacle and the screenplay homages, and I'll have a bag of tortilla chips and a choc ice please. 6.5/10

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

English

Budget:

$35,000,000.00

Revenue:

$92,158,961.00

Keywords

prison
vampire
slavery
castle
forbidden love
werewolf
battle
slave
fictional war
gothic
dungeon
dark fantasy
aristocracy
urban gothic