Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Screen Gems | Release Date: January 23, 2009
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 220 Ratings
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Positive:
140
Mixed:
62
Negative:
18
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
4
grandpajoe6191Oct 1, 2011
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is the same tedious vampire vs werewolf movie. There's nothing new, but its Michael Sheen's brilliant performance that will keep you entertaining.
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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4
KadeemluvmusicSep 7, 2012
I'm very disappointed at Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. The script is just not looking too good and I was feeling emptied on why Kate Beckinsale didn't return as the sexy vampire hunter, Seline. I thought the series were going to be dead onI'm very disappointed at Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. The script is just not looking too good and I was feeling emptied on why Kate Beckinsale didn't return as the sexy vampire hunter, Seline. I thought the series were going to be dead on arrival, but thanks to her comeback in Awakening, I feel like I'm in heaven for more of that wickedly kick-ass moves and killing more vampires. Nothing new for Lycans, however, Martin Sheen's performance look pretty good, I might say. So in conclusion, Rise of the Lycans, rather safe than sorry, but this is one of the worst sequels in the Underworld series.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
hoops2448Dec 13, 2011
While nowhere near as bad as the 2nd installment of the Underworld series it is still a toothless, soul sucking experience. The change in setting and time period actually help with the return of menacingly good villain Bill Nighy. The loss ofWhile nowhere near as bad as the 2nd installment of the Underworld series it is still a toothless, soul sucking experience. The change in setting and time period actually help with the return of menacingly good villain Bill Nighy. The loss of Kate Beckinsale can only be seen as a positive (although she does bookend the film) with a prequel story which knows how to have fun. Rise of the Lycans doesn't take itself seriously which is one of the main reasons its enjoyable. However they have gone from one wooden female lead to another with Rhona Mitra's Sonja being just as useless and tiresome as Beckinsale's Selene. While bringing back Michael Sheen and making it an origins story does add a certain gravitas, it fails to wow or at least entertain mainly due to its clearly reduced budget, wooden female lead and depressingly bleak design. Not awful but nowhere near great.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
JayHMay 6, 2009
I didn't care for the other Underworld films, same goes for this unnecessary prequel. All special effects, no substance or real point. Dark dreary and unappealing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
CarlosF.Jul 18, 2009
All I can say is that this movie was a total surprise ! The first Underworld movies were nothing more than plotless funny trash. But this movie was surprisingly good, with REAL good acting from Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen. And, opposite to All I can say is that this movie was a total surprise ! The first Underworld movies were nothing more than plotless funny trash. But this movie was surprisingly good, with REAL good acting from Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen. And, opposite to the other UW movies, this one has a PLOT. This epic forbidden love tale was really interesting. The action scenes were just more of the same. I'm glad Beckinsale was not part of the cast.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
KeithJ.Jan 24, 2009
If this movie weren't part of a trilogy, it would be a decent standalone fantasy/action movie. As part of a trilogy, it bothers me a little because it sets aside established concepts of how the various creatures compare in power. In If this movie weren't part of a trilogy, it would be a decent standalone fantasy/action movie. As part of a trilogy, it bothers me a little because it sets aside established concepts of how the various creatures compare in power. In this installment, vampires are basically regular people with pale skin and sun sensitivity. They compare equally with regular humans in combat, and are, for the most part, no match for werewolves. That annoyed me, but for the most part, I enjoyed this prequel to the superior and original Underworld, and the horrid Underworld II (Evolutions).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
imthenoobApr 20, 2013
Certainly the best of the Underworld movies but that's not really saying anything because the previous films were not that good at all. Acting was a little on the poor side, The story is ok but there is no real plot to it. Action is a littleCertainly the best of the Underworld movies but that's not really saying anything because the previous films were not that good at all. Acting was a little on the poor side, The story is ok but there is no real plot to it. Action is a little below average and not that satisfying either. Overall, It was an ok movie, At least it was watchable, Unlike the other Underworld films.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Captain_KirkAug 27, 2012
Eh, it's really not the same with Kate Beckinsale. I understand the fact that it's a prequel and it's supposed to explain back story, but it just doesn't have the same feeling or level of enjoyment that the first Underworld movie had. TheEh, it's really not the same with Kate Beckinsale. I understand the fact that it's a prequel and it's supposed to explain back story, but it just doesn't have the same feeling or level of enjoyment that the first Underworld movie had. The film itself is just okay, I'll give it that. It's not boring and it has some cool moments, but the obvious CGI blood is a bit distracting at times and it lacks the kind of energy that the first 2 Underworld movies had.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
FilipeNetoJul 11, 2020
This was the third film in the "Underworld" franchise, and it works as a prequel to everyone else. However, it was the second in the franchise that I saw, right after the first and leaving the second film to see in third place. Honestly, itThis was the third film in the "Underworld" franchise, and it works as a prequel to everyone else. However, it was the second in the franchise that I saw, right after the first and leaving the second film to see in third place. Honestly, it seemed more logical that way. In this film, we go back centuries to the High Middle Ages, to follow the events that were at the origin of the eternal war between vampires and lycans.

The film takes place somewhere in Eastern Europe where vampires are the dominant class, even having control over humans, who pay to be protected from bloodthirsty werewolves. The film follows the birth of Lucian, the first werewolf capable of controlling himself and assuming human form at his will. The first Lycan (now I can see what the difference between a lycan and a werewolf will be). He lives the entire life as a slave of the vampires ruled by Viktor, but falls in love with his daughter, Sonja. Seeing this as a betrayal, fearing the crossing of the species and the loosing of control of the enslaved Lycans, Viktor kills his own daughter leading Lucian and their companions to the revolt against the vampires.

The plot is nothing new, since much of it was told during the first film. That's why I told everything here, because I didn't consider it a spoiler. It may not seem like it, but the fact that we know almost everything that is going to happen takes away a lot of impact to the film. There is no surprise effect or exciting twist. On the other hand, the film lacks any historical verisimilitude: the sets, costumes, weapons, armours and props are so imaginative that they cannot be dated to any precise historical period, and it is the sum of the whole that allows us to realize the film takes place in the Middle Ages. In fact, some armour and weapons even seem to have been taken from a prop storage from "The Lord of the Rings". Its a film without the sex appeal the first had, but with almost twice the brutality, violent deaths and testosterone. It works, but it's not really good.

The cast has many well-known names. By the positive side, Michael Sheen stands out in a more dramatic and mature performance of the character he sketched in the first film. Still very good, Bill Nighy returns to his aristocratic and sadistic character, with his unique voice and diction. I believe the actor got, with these films, one of the works that will mark his career. Rhona Mitra looked good, being expressive, dramatic, romantic and intense. She managed to give credibility to her character's romance and scenes with Sheen are good, although their chemistry is not remarkable. The remaining cast deserves no mention.

Technically, the film is very similar to what has been seen before. The cinematography and environment is dark and gloomy, the sets, props and costumes in the medieval style are not very credible but visually impressive and the film overflows with style and charm, without however having so much substance. The action scenes are many and the deaths are happening regularly, some more crude than the others, with fake blood everywhere and without we caring too much about what we are seeing. The only death that could really affect us - Sonja - is a death already awaited by those who have seen previous films and already know the story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
rogole9956May 7, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. you can see the latest movies for free at http://samehadaku.website/

you can see the latest movies for free at http://samehadaku.website/
you can see the latest movies for free at http://samehadaku.website/… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Sosmooth1982Jan 14, 2023
My least favorite because the main character is not in it. Its only a ok movie because they do go back in time to explain more of why they are at world and the things that first led up to it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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