Underworld: Evolution (2006)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Underworld: Evolution neither regresses or evolves. Three years later, mainstream vampire flicks remain dormant and so Wiseman and his team produce the inevitable sequel. Critics lambasted it, audiences enjoyed it...I'm with the latter. He's upped the budget, increased the action but, yet again, told a thinly written story. The vampire and lycan war rages on, Selene and new hybrid Michael must stop vampire elder Markus from releasing his imprisoned brother William in order to take over the dark bleak world with vampire-lycan hybrids. Basic story is basic, yet somehow feels more convoluted as each chapter is released. In fact, it's so complicated in terms of depicting the Corvinus bloodline that the first few minutes were just exposition. Flashbacks of the previous film to make sure the audience are up to speed. That in itself raises alarm bells. However, despite the bland monotonous story, Wiseman has crafted a consistently entertaining sequel that removes the horror elements and instead injects the narrative with pure action adrenaline. This change-up surprisingly works and will set the franchise off to a new course. Markus seems like the vampire equivalent of 'The Terminator', seemingly unstoppable with his sharp back wing arm things (best description ever). Kate Beckinsale in all her black leather glory is here to save the day, where the two have a fantastically exciting showdown in the third act. Actually, the entire third act is ace. Redeems the entire film from being a melodramatic drag. Derek Jacobi brings in some much needed acting talent with his thespian background, and intriguingly introduces some emotion to the story. Wiseman's insistence on utilising practical effects is always a pleasure to see, although some of the occasional CGI misses entirely. Some excellent production design, particularly the medieval castle in the final battle which ever so reminded me of 'Skyrim'. This sequel really is an onslaught of wet fur, sharp fangs and UV bullets, but it never once failed to entertain me. I can only hope the franchise maintains this consistent level...

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