Underworld: Awakening - A Review

This review also appeared on Popular Culture website Culch.ie

Before we get started, it should be noted that I am an avid Underworld fan. With this in mind, I will be as unbiased as possible, except when referring to THAT outfit.

Ass-kicking bombshell Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two Underworld films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Yep, this is essentially the storyline for popular Underworld flick number 4, Underworld: Awakening. The writers, wisely decided not to mention flick number 3 ‘Rise of the Lycans‘ so our story continues where underworld 2 left off.

12 years have passed since the events of the second film and Selene (Kate Beckinsale) awakens in a lab and escapes into to a world where the human race has virtually eradicated both Vampires and Lycans.

The remaining forces of the iconic monsters are forced into hiding as humans equip their guns with silver ammunition and ultraviolet weapons to even the odds. Now Selene tries to discover what she has missed and realizes she’s not the only subject that escaped the facility.

Fans of the genre and trilogy will no doubt enjoy seeing Selene back in action again (the original icy-cool Death Dealer is back) but those who didn’t enjoy the previous films definitely won’t appreciate this one. This won’t really hurt the film’s success though as there is now a tight coven (see what I did there) of fans online eager for as many installments as possible.

I watched the film in 3D, so its scenes were literally action-packed, but even the most devoted fans are going to agree that the storyline is paper thin. With the discovery that Selene’s half-Lycan lover (played by Scott Speedman – I heart him) has vanished, the film centres on lesser characters. As it was their relationship storyline that strengthed the previous two films, this leaves the audience with very little to latch on to. That, and the fact that though the stunning Ms Beckinsale looks amazing in that outfit, she actually doesn’t say much throughout the film (she’s just too busy kicking Lycan ass).

There are a few twists along the way (even one I didn’t see coming) but overall the weak plot is simply in place to lead us to the next Death Dealer/Lycan spat. I was disappointed overall, despite enjoying some moments, and think that the film suffered due to the fact that Underworld creator Len Wiseman, who directed the previous 3 films, wasn’t at the helm this time.

Fans of the genre and trilogy will no doubt enjoy seeing Selene back in action again (the original icy-cool Death Dealer is back) but those who didn’t enjoy the previous films definitely won’t appreciate this one. This won’t really hurt the film’s success though as there is now a tight coven (see what I did there) of fans online eager for as many instalments as possible.