Underworld: Awakening (2012)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  4 / 10

  Underworld: Awakening has no bite and little to bark about. This is the pivotal moment of a franchise, four films in and you naturally question the legitimacy for another chapter to exist. In Awakening's case, it marks the gradual downfall for the eternal war of vampires and lycans. The two supernatural races have now been identified by the general population where a purge occurs to cull these diseases. During this time, Selene is frozen to which she escapes and investigates what happened during her time in cryogenic hibernation. Well...where to begin with this? The gothic production design flies away into the night and incomes the bland modern architecture of today's society. The consistent use of prosthetics and creature costumes have now been removed to make way for the over reliance of poor CGI, including horrific 3D gimmicky effects for the 1.76% of people who watch films in that visionary method. The low budget effects are incredibly noticeable during the transformation scenes and honestly belong in a SyFy film (no offence to that channel...ok slight offence). As the series progresses, the action increases and the depth of the oh so convoluted story decreases. It'll come to no surprise then that Awakening's plot is so thin that you couldn't see it with a pair of bright blue vampiric eyes. I can atleast mention that the action sequences are perfectly suitable and are entertaining to watch, particularly Selene obliterating werewolves at every angle whilst being shrouded in silver gas. Silly, but fun. Speaking of stupid scenes, there is a moment Selene shoots down an uncontrollable elevator with her dual submachine guns and exits the building without a scratch. Ten out of ten, A+, five stars! I am pleased to see Beckinsale back at the helm of the franchise, but with a disinterested supporting cast (particularly antagonist Stephen Rea) she couldn't quite save this bland mess. When the best moment is the credits song (told you Evanescence would be included at some point!) you know you have issues. But guess what!? They've set up another sequel! Yikes...

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