Review: Underworld Evolution

Alright, in case you have no desire to actually read a lengthy review here's the simple review: If you liked the first movie then you'll like this one. If you hated the first movie, you'll hate this one. It's that simple. Now, for a more fleshed out review.

Firstly, having read the critics it is sadly apparent that several of them either didn't actually see the movie (And instead reviewed based on a description or other reviews) or did not pay attention at the showings they attended. The amount of information in the reviews I've read that is plain out wrong is astounding to me and I don't recall ever noticing it at this level for another movie. There are reviews that simply put, have even basic plot points completely wrong. I have no idea what's going on with this movie and the critics, but I had to mention that.

The film stays very true to the original in the feel, and it picks up quite literally only moments after the first leaves off. This was a nice touch and gave more of a sense of immediacy. The colors and the feel are similar to the first although there is much less of a claustrophobic feel to this one. Much of the action takes place in the country this time and the story features a much more sparse cast than the original did. But you're still in the Underworld...world.

The action is even more intense, and graphic, than the first film. Blood flows even more liberally in this sequel. In that sense, it reminded me more of Blade than Underworld. Blood splatters, flies, and drips while necks are broken, people are impaled dozens of times by Markus' wings, and Michael has a habit of finishing his opponents off in very violent hand-to-hand ways.

There are issues with the narrative, which sometimes seems to wander. But my biggest was that I really had the feeling that the original film either took place in America or England. Everyone spoke English and the extras all seemed very Western to me. And yet this film seems to cast doubt on that. The stars speak English still. But the natives, what we see of them, all speak an Eastern European language. This could be explained by suggesting that Selene and Michael had to go into hiding far away. But we're given the impression that the story hasn't actually moved. As a matter of fact, several lines tell us that they are no more than a couple of hours away from the scene of the first film. So this was confusing, but I soon lost my concern as the action heated up. Speaking of heating up...

Let's face it, we all know what Underworld is really about. Kate. She's a beautiful woman who plays Selene with a sort of strong as steel but still vulnerable mix that makes her a sexy character. And she's what this movie is all about. Just like in the original, the screen slows down so that we can linger on each sigh. Speedman is mostly unnecessary, although the fleshing out of their feelings was actually pretty well done. Sadly, he's used to set up an all-to-obvious plot device that felt cheap. Markus is not exactly the most inspiring bad guy of all time. Vicktor was much better, but I like Bill so that could just be me. And Markus was serviceable enough in makeup. It was mostly his performances in human form that seemed not all that terror inspiring.

This movie isn't Shakespeare. It's not even the best horror/action movie in recent years. But it does a decent job continuing the story that it's predecessor built. It doesn't expand as much, perhaps, on that mythology as I would have liked. But this is all about franchise and you have to hold some things back when you're thinking long term. The story was moved forward, mostly in a coherent manner, and sets up the continuation of the tale of Selene and Michael. There was action, romance, chases, etc. Basically, it's what I expect when I go to the movies to see a sci-fi/horror/action flick. And, aside from the name, no one said that Underworld: Evolution was going to be something new and unique. With a first one that was as enjoyable as it was, why should they change too much?

UPDATE

To answer Nomad's question in the comments, I will try to explain the plot but I must warn that it is VERY DIFFICULT to explain the plot without giving away spoilers. So, be prepared if you read further...

It is literally still the night of the events that happened in the first movie. We have had a flashback that shows us that Markus is the the first of the vampires but is lead by Viktor. William is Markus' twin brother, and is the one bitten by the wolf. He is a monster, to say the least. These earlier lycans were much more savage than modern ones and William is the worst of the bunch. Viktor manages to capture William and locks him away for an eternity, not letting Markus know where he is hidden. (Markus still loves his brother and believes he can help him.)

You'll remember that at the end of the first movie, the lycan blood spills down to Markus' sleeping chamber. He's now a hybrid with a bad attitude and as he learns of all that has happened, he's pretty ticked. So he sets out to find his imprisoned brother and free him.

Selene is important to this plot because it turns out that her family weren't quite the innocent bystandards that we were lead to believe in the first movie. Her father knew something very sensitive and was killed for it. So Markus wants Selene because he wants that secret. In addition, Markus and William's father is still alive and is also involved in the goings-on with lots of high-tech gadgets. That's the basic plot, with as few spoilers as I can give and yet still explain the plot to a sufficient level.