Read Mixed User Reviews for Underworld

6

cabritaSep 29, 2012

For me I found the film somewhat dull however it delivered great visuals and the odd scene that captured my attention. Also very good voice over narration from the protagonist. It must be set clear that this is not the type of film thatFor me I found the film somewhat dull however it delivered great visuals and the odd scene that captured my attention. Also very good voice over narration from the protagonist. It must be set clear that this is not the type of film that really appeals to me.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

grandpajoe6191Oct 1, 2011

"Underworld" decently presents the raging battle between the monstrous Lycans and blood-craving vampires. It's not scary thanks to its war-focusing plot, but at least the film's decently entertaining.

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5

ERG1008Aug 23, 2010

Vampires at war with Werewolves, man with rare blood type, in-fighting, Head Vampire gets awoken, general nonsense.
I saw this about four years ago & thought it was ok & the Werewolves were very good. On this re-watch, it's not very good atVampires at war with Werewolves, man with rare blood type, in-fighting, Head Vampire gets awoken, general nonsense.
I saw this about four years ago & thought it was ok & the Werewolves were very good. On this re-watch, it's not very good at all. The effects are pretty average, the acting terrible (even with Michael Sheen in it) & Kate Beckinsale spends most of her time pouting, flicking her hair & jumping around in slow motion.
Tries so hard to be cult & cool but falls well short of the mark.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

spadenxDec 26, 2011

The acting was pretty terrible (besides Michael Sheen's performance) and the action sequences sucked really hard. I did enjoy the plot though and it did keep me interested in it but it could have been told in a lot shorter time. I feel the 2+The acting was pretty terrible (besides Michael Sheen's performance) and the action sequences sucked really hard. I did enjoy the plot though and it did keep me interested in it but it could have been told in a lot shorter time. I feel the 2+ hours run time pushes it far too much. Still, Underworld simply has something that makes me intersted in it. I was a bit disapointed in this film but I still have hopes for the sequel.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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4

imthenoobNov 9, 2012

It's not that it's a bad movie. There is a ton of potential here for a pretty good series due to the very interesting story. However, the special effects in this film are rather awful, So bad that it's laughable at times. The acting is on theIt's not that it's a bad movie. There is a ton of potential here for a pretty good series due to the very interesting story. However, the special effects in this film are rather awful, So bad that it's laughable at times. The acting is on the weak side as well despite having an experianced cast. Overall, the potential is there but it's still a below average film.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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5

FilipeNetoJul 11, 2020

Vampire movies exist by the hundreds. I think there is hardly a monster capable of being more seductive and appealing than the vampire. Likewise, there is hardly a rival more suitable for those blood drinkers than the werewolf. This film willVampire movies exist by the hundreds. I think there is hardly a monster capable of being more seductive and appealing than the vampire. Likewise, there is hardly a rival more suitable for those blood drinkers than the werewolf. This film will explore these and create an alternative story for both monsters that, here, have a common origin and are destined to hate each other.

The main character is Selene, a warrior vampire who devoted hundreds of years to an eternal war with werewolves, called Lycans (if anyone knows the difference between a Lycan and a werewolf, please tell me). After a routine mission, she discovers that there is a large group of Lycans who can threaten vampires. Ignored by the vampire leader, she decides to prove that she is right and the danger is real, and wakes up the mighty Viktor, an elder vampire. But Selene's inquiries will prove the threat is more serious than she imagined and all loyalties, inside and outside the vampire clan, are at stake.

This film is an action blockbuster loaded with leather, bullets, blood and testosterone, more than suitable for teenagers full of bouncing hormones. For me, it worked well but it is far from being something I would pay to see at the theater. It was directed by Len Wiseman, who we already know from "Live Free or Die Hard". He is a satisfactory director and seems to like dark material. I believe he was very inspired by "Matrix", if we take into account the leather clothes, hard-rock style and, above all, the opening scene in the subway, with hundreds of bullets fired without injuring anyone but destroying all the station, in a moment of unrealistic and absurd action. Believing that mortals live totally unaware to such blatant immortals is, at the very least, impossible. The story becomes more complex with the revelation of the past of the two clans and the creation of a myth that is never truly well explained, but supports the rest of the film.

The cast is full of well-known names and is led by Kate Beckinsale, in a role that places her, more or less, between a Lara Kroft and a porn dominatrix. She's attractive but doesn't give us much more than her own body and a hot voice. Scott Speedman is stupid and doesn't seem to know how he got here, besides there is no chemistry between him and Beckinsale for both of them to be a credible romantic couple. Shane Brolly is fine, but not extraordinary and there are a lot of actors who only show up a little without adding some significant to the film, such as Wentworth Miller, Kevin Grevioux and Sophia Myles (she seems to have been included in the cast just to please the male audience who prefers a blonde over a brunette). But not everything is so decadent! Michael Sheen is excellent, being the most outstanding actor in the film and the one that gives us more solid work. Although I prefer to see him in dramatic films like "Frost/Nixon" or "The Queen", he is good at this kind of character and would come, years after this film, to do something like this when he play Aro Volturi in "Twillight" saga. Likewise, we must see and applaud Bill Nighy's good work, with his unique voice and diction. He gave his character an air of elegant aristocratic sadism.

Technically, it is a dark film, loaded with action, bullets, leather, blood and very dark. Without a single scene with the sun or some bright colour, it is truly a dark film... I already said that? Gothic to the core, it has a nebulous and gloomy cinematography that, however, works well. Not being a romantic film, it has some hot scenes that, however, show nothing much. Even Beckinsale's ass always looks in her tights. However, sex is everywhere in the vampire world and that vampire mansion looks almost like a decadent brothel. The scenes of violence are also everywhere, but they sound so fake that even when a head is cut in half, we don't feel anything about it.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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4

CarlosFJul 18, 2009

The plot is too over-the-top, taking it self too seriously. Beckinsale doesn't really act a lot, but Speedman is completely irritating. This is a derivative movie, nothing is really happening, just a bit of fighting and some unespected The plot is too over-the-top, taking it self too seriously. Beckinsale doesn't really act a lot, but Speedman is completely irritating. This is a derivative movie, nothing is really happening, just a bit of fighting and some unespected "plot twists". However, is basically a CGI-action movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

6

SpangleNov 20, 2016

Based on her role selections in the 2000s, I feel it is fair to conclude that Kate Beckinsale exclusively sought out roles that had her wearing black spandex while shooting mythical beasts. Underworld certainly fits that bill and reallyBased on her role selections in the 2000s, I feel it is fair to conclude that Kate Beckinsale exclusively sought out roles that had her wearing black spandex while shooting mythical beasts. Underworld certainly fits that bill and really started this trend for Beckinsale. In this film, she is a vampire who kills lycans (werewolves) for a living, as part of the long war between the two factions. Directed by Beckinsale's husband as of 2004, Len Wiseman, and co-starring her partner as of 2003, Michael Sheen, Underworld is cited as the film where she left Sheen for Wiseman. Oddly enough, she was the one who wanted Sheen to be cast in the film. Awkward. That aside, however, Underworld is a thoroughly entertaining fantasy shoot 'em up with great mythology and stylish action sequences that make up for its lesser elements.

With great mythology and background to the issues afflicting the vampires and the werewolves in this world, Underworld really takes its time and develops the hatred. Throughout, the film manages to nimbly switch between the two sides and have the audience develop sympathy for both sides. As many critics cited upon its release in 2003, this is really the film's greatest asset. Its success with it is up for debate, but what is not up for debate is the depth and scope of its mythology and how truly intriguing it shapes up to be. By the end of the film, it truly becomes a shame that all of the sequels are seen as being so bad, because spending more time in this world would be a truly captivating exercise.

Another strength here is the action. The whole film is seemingly shot through a blue filter, which is actually quite appealing and really does work with these action sequences. Cited as a rip-off of The Matrix by some for its use of trenchcoats and slow motion action scenes, Underworld's action is hardly attractive. It is also quite nonsensical with endless magazines and shootouts in public that hit nobody. This does not mean it is not slick as all get out, however. Very well shot and quite visually appealing, the action's style really hides up its blemishes nicely. In particular, there is a scene where Selene (Kate Beckinsale) spins around and shoots out the floor around her to create a hole in the floor, allowing her to drop down to the next floor. Obviously, this is very stupid. Yet, it does look very good.

In terms of acting, it can be quite hammy. However, who does not want to see Beckinsale, Michael Sheen, and Bill Nighy, ham it up? Plus, their characters are actually quite good, allowing them to have a lot to chew on in the roles. In particular, the character of Viktor, played by Nighy, is great. An elder vampire who is awoken by Selene upon the discovery of a conspiracy within their midst, Viktor is a towering figure. Instilling terror and fear wherever he goes, Viktor is a truly menacing vampire and Nighy captures this terrifically. Sheen was also very good in his role as Lucien, a werewolf. The leader of the werewolves, Sheen is both strict, tyrannical, and highly sympathetic in his role, especially once we begin to learn more-and-more about him. Quite well-written, Sheen really makes the most of the role from an emotional standpoint.

On the negative, Underworld is simply absurd. As mentioned before, it is quite fantastical with a lot of action movie cliches. With missed shots abounding, the film's mythology saves it from becoming just a run-of-the-mill action movie, but that does mean the film does not still come close to being the furthest thing from original. It compounds this problem with a terrible romance element between Selene and Michael (Scott Speedman). Unconvincing and greatly rushed, the romance merely distracts from the plot, rather than helping advance it. For many Hollywood action movies, this is a problem and it is certainly one in Underworld.

Entertaining and easy to digest, Underworld is hardly the most challenging film ever released. However, it is a fun watch with great mythology that proves to be an worthy diversion and popcorn film.… Expand

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4

EpicLadySpongeMar 17, 2016

When vampires attack werewolves, the vampires had to prepare themselves for the werewolves' next attack. Sadly, this one (and its sequels) is not it. You'll possibly find another one that's obviously better than this.

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6

JamesdayzMar 11, 2019

Saw this movie again, it has been a while and rewatching it well the movie is not amazing but, what is amazing is that unique style it portrayed at least from its beginnings it really wanted to set a tone and it did that pretty well what alsoSaw this movie again, it has been a while and rewatching it well the movie is not amazing but, what is amazing is that unique style it portrayed at least from its beginnings it really wanted to set a tone and it did that pretty well what also impressed me is thinking back I saw this when I was a kid and it was all ooh's and ah's I barely felt the 2 hours this movie has and now my eyes were burning up from how long it was but I digress this movie competed with some titans man this is from 2003 were talking about times when Lord of the Rings and The Matrix were around and those were some monster films no pun intended. Underworld has a clear demographic and I think I speak for most people that this led to a lot of fantasies and crazy ideas when we were kids and most adults in that time most people won't like this movie and that is understandable but this movie will remain in my head until I die from its deep lore to its dark setting.… Expand

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