Underworld - A Review September 22, 2003
MPAA rating: R
runtime: 121 minutes
Underworld is the tale of an alternate reality where we are in the latter stages of a millennium-long war between vampires and werewolves, played out in a city the vaguely resembles London. Directed by newcomer Len Wiseman, he shares writing credits with Danny McBride and Kevin Grevioux – a first-time writer with acting roles in this film as a werewolf and Charlie's Angels, Planet Of The Apes, Men In Black II. Underworld stars:
600 years before, the vampires had almost rid the world of werewolves with the death of the werewolf leader. But almost wasn't good enough and a few escaped - enough to keep the line alive, and enough to hound (sorry 'bout that one) the vampires to this day. Selene is a Death Dealer, a vampire warrior that has hunted the werewolves for centuries. With the current leader of her coven (Kraven) vainly expecting her to wed him, she sees the gradual decline of the coven into debauchery and sloth, and resents it. She stumbles across a team of 'wolves as they appear to be following a human (Corvin) down a rainy crowded sidewalk. She and another vampire follow along in an effort to find out what's going on. Let's just say that the mayhem doesn't take long to hop into high gear. And what magnificent mayhem it is! This is no steady-paced story – Blade meets the Matrix with both on speed should give you an idea of the breakneck pace at which this film moves. This is not a plot-driven film, so don't go in expecting deep, thought-provoking cinema. This is a roller coaster ride, plain and simple.
Visually this film is fabulous. It's the set in the darkest lighting conditions possible – even more so than Blade. The color palette consists almost entirely of blacks, grays, blues and silvers with some shots in subtle, gradual graduations of colors, and ranging to a couple that are almost monochromatic. It may sound boring, but I assure you, there are many beautifully framed and discretely colored scenes. Detail abounds in most shots with a few that are more softly focused. Special effects are just flat out marvelous. I was able to totally immerse in the story from the very start and wasn't pulled out of it at all by any lack of believability or poor CGI. Hmmm, did I mention that the world of vampires and werewolves is populated almost entirely by very handsome, very sexy, very athletic men and women? No? Well, it is.
Sonically, Underworld is a rip-snorting rollercoaster, too. Continuous and full-range use of the surrounds is the order of the day, with sterlingly clear vocals and deep deep bass. Moods are set by a very minimal musical track, unlike what was shown in the trailers - this is no MTV music video. Automatic weapons, swords, high-performance cars, and all the fighting, jumping, landing noises are convincing and well placed in the 360-degree soundstage. My highest praise for the soundtrack is that, once again, I was never pulled out of my immersion in the film by a discordant moment.
There didn't seem to be much in the way of advertising/hype for this film before it came out. But being a fan of action films, vampire/werewolves and Kate Beckinsale, I still had some seriously high hopes for this one. They were all met or exceeded! My only complaint with this oh-so-fun film (and it's a small one) is that with the headlong rush towards the conclusion, once you get there, you are left with a "oh, wait a moment" sensation as some of the storylines aren't resolved. Can you say sequel? Again, this is a small issue, and one that I'll gladly deal with, in hopes that the sequel is as entertaining as this first installment. FYI, the R rating is for strong violence and some language - there is no nudity or sexually explicit content. As a DVD, hopefully this will be a reference quality transfer. If it is, it should be "the" definitive test film for black-level definition.
So friends, put away the Monopoly board, don't pass Go, don't collect 200 dollars, just go straight to the theater and see this movie. If you are a fan of vampire, or werewolf, or just good old rock 'em sock 'em action films, beat your feet down to the local cinema and get aboard for the ride. You won't be disappointed.
I give Underworld :4: out of :5:.
David - HTGuide flunky
Our "Theater"
Our DVDs on DVD Tracker
MPAA rating: R
runtime: 121 minutes
Underworld is the tale of an alternate reality where we are in the latter stages of a millennium-long war between vampires and werewolves, played out in a city the vaguely resembles London. Directed by newcomer Len Wiseman, he shares writing credits with Danny McBride and Kevin Grevioux – a first-time writer with acting roles in this film as a werewolf and Charlie's Angels, Planet Of The Apes, Men In Black II. Underworld stars:
- Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor, Brokedown Palace, Serendipity, Haunted) as Selene
Scott Speedman (Can I Get A Witness?, Felicity (TV), Dark Blue) as Michael Corvin
Shane Brolly (Sin's Kitchen, Stealing Time, Deadly Swarm) as Kraven
Michael Sheen (Mary Rielly, Heartlands, The Four Feathers) as Lucian
Bill Nighy (Eye Of The Needle, Being Human, Guest House Paradiso) as Viktor
600 years before, the vampires had almost rid the world of werewolves with the death of the werewolf leader. But almost wasn't good enough and a few escaped - enough to keep the line alive, and enough to hound (sorry 'bout that one) the vampires to this day. Selene is a Death Dealer, a vampire warrior that has hunted the werewolves for centuries. With the current leader of her coven (Kraven) vainly expecting her to wed him, she sees the gradual decline of the coven into debauchery and sloth, and resents it. She stumbles across a team of 'wolves as they appear to be following a human (Corvin) down a rainy crowded sidewalk. She and another vampire follow along in an effort to find out what's going on. Let's just say that the mayhem doesn't take long to hop into high gear. And what magnificent mayhem it is! This is no steady-paced story – Blade meets the Matrix with both on speed should give you an idea of the breakneck pace at which this film moves. This is not a plot-driven film, so don't go in expecting deep, thought-provoking cinema. This is a roller coaster ride, plain and simple.
Visually this film is fabulous. It's the set in the darkest lighting conditions possible – even more so than Blade. The color palette consists almost entirely of blacks, grays, blues and silvers with some shots in subtle, gradual graduations of colors, and ranging to a couple that are almost monochromatic. It may sound boring, but I assure you, there are many beautifully framed and discretely colored scenes. Detail abounds in most shots with a few that are more softly focused. Special effects are just flat out marvelous. I was able to totally immerse in the story from the very start and wasn't pulled out of it at all by any lack of believability or poor CGI. Hmmm, did I mention that the world of vampires and werewolves is populated almost entirely by very handsome, very sexy, very athletic men and women? No? Well, it is.
Sonically, Underworld is a rip-snorting rollercoaster, too. Continuous and full-range use of the surrounds is the order of the day, with sterlingly clear vocals and deep deep bass. Moods are set by a very minimal musical track, unlike what was shown in the trailers - this is no MTV music video. Automatic weapons, swords, high-performance cars, and all the fighting, jumping, landing noises are convincing and well placed in the 360-degree soundstage. My highest praise for the soundtrack is that, once again, I was never pulled out of my immersion in the film by a discordant moment.
There didn't seem to be much in the way of advertising/hype for this film before it came out. But being a fan of action films, vampire/werewolves and Kate Beckinsale, I still had some seriously high hopes for this one. They were all met or exceeded! My only complaint with this oh-so-fun film (and it's a small one) is that with the headlong rush towards the conclusion, once you get there, you are left with a "oh, wait a moment" sensation as some of the storylines aren't resolved. Can you say sequel? Again, this is a small issue, and one that I'll gladly deal with, in hopes that the sequel is as entertaining as this first installment. FYI, the R rating is for strong violence and some language - there is no nudity or sexually explicit content. As a DVD, hopefully this will be a reference quality transfer. If it is, it should be "the" definitive test film for black-level definition.
So friends, put away the Monopoly board, don't pass Go, don't collect 200 dollars, just go straight to the theater and see this movie. If you are a fan of vampire, or werewolf, or just good old rock 'em sock 'em action films, beat your feet down to the local cinema and get aboard for the ride. You won't be disappointed.
I give Underworld :4: out of :5:.
David - HTGuide flunky
Our "Theater"
Our DVDs on DVD Tracker
:
For picture and sound! 8) 
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