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Underworld (2003)

Facts

Directed byLen Wiseman
CastKate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly and Bill Nighy
Theatrical ReleaseSeptember 19, 2003
MPAA RatingR (Restricted)
 

About Underworld

Blade meets The Crow and The Matrix in Underworld, a hybrid thriller that rewrites the rulebook on werewolves and vampires. It's a "cuisinart" movie (blend a lot of familiar ideas and hope something interesting happens) in which immortal vampire "death dealers" wage an ancient war against "Lycans" (werewolves), who've got centuries of revenge--and some rather ambitious genetic experiments--on their lycanthropic agenda. Given his preoccupation with gloomy architecture (mostly filmed in Budapest, Hungary), frenetic mayhem and gothic costuming, it's no surprise that first-time director Len Wiseman gained experience in TV commercials and the art departments of Godzilla, Men in Black, and Independence Day. His work is all surface, no substance, filled with derivative, grand-scale action as conflicted vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale, who later became engaged to Wiseman) struggles to rescue an ill-fated human (Scott Speedman) from Lycan transformation. It's great looking all the way, and a guaranteed treat for horror buffs, who will eagerly dissect its many strengths and weaknesses. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

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User Reviews

Average user review: 3.5 (586 reviews)

rating: 4 QuoteUnderworld Unrated Blu-RayQuote
Underworld (Unrated) [Blu-ray] This is definitely on of the best movies combining Vampires and Werewolves. The special effects are excellent and Kate Beckingsale is excellent as the lead. I enjoyed and own both movies on Blu-Ray. And yes, the action is great and so is the mood of both films. I am waiting for a third in the series.. November 2, 2008

rating: 4 Quoteoriginal and entertainingQuote
fairly tired subject matter gets a nice boost in this movie. Rather than go point to point over the movie, I have only to add that the plot is great and never drags, the settings and scenery look fantastic, and the best part: they did not over use wires and impossible body contortions in the special effects to make it entirely unbelievable.

Great show and great special effects. Kate in BluRay? a must have! October 31, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteGreat JobQuote
The item was received earlier than estimated and in the condition that it was promised. October 1, 2008

rating: 4 QuoteWhat DO you get when you cross a Vampire with a Lycanthrope?Quote
UNDERWORLD, a faced-paced, in your face, kick-a** monster movie, tries to answer that age old question. Vampires and Lycans (werewolves) have been at war for untold centuries. Very few even remember how the blood feud started. But the crossing of a Vamp with a Lycan has always been forbidden. Or has it?

UNDERWORLD is action-packed from the get go; you jump right in and it never lets up. Epic battles, high-speed chases, gun fights, impossible stunts, blood and gore (although less than you would think), and fantastic transformations keep you on the edge of your seat. The directing/cinematography/editing are excellent, cutting away from anything truly disgusting before you really see it; leaving the rest to your vivid imagination. The acting is impressive, with Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, and Michael Sheen all giving scene-stealing performances. The rest of the cast, including Bill Nighy, are equally good in there respective roles. And let me just say, the costuming for UNDERWORLD is marvelous: gorgeous dresses, fabulous leathers, skin-tight cat suits. I'd like to go shopping were the Vamps do!

UNDERWORLD includes all the universal Vampire and Werewolf lore - sunlight kills Vamps, silver kills Lycans, you become a Vampire or a Werewolf from a bite. Not too many surprises in this area (although these precepts are taken to new heights), making it easier to keep up with the plot. But added to the standard lore is the theory that there is a line of humans who carry a gene that enables them to survive a bite from BOTH a Vampire and a Lycanthrope. And this is what the Lycans are looking for.

Even if you aren't a fan of monster flicks, you will enjoy UNDERWORLD. It makes for a great popcorn evening at home. It is clearly too intense for the youngest members of the family, but tweens and up should be just fine.

So, what DO you get, when you cross a Vampire with a Lycanthrope? Apparently, something the Lycans want and the Vampires don't. And something bigger and badder than both...
July 26, 2008

rating: 4 QuoteEnjoyed this movie in Blu-rayQuote
I enjoyed this movie. The way the story was written is good. The picture quality is top notch, really deep blacks and well colored blue/gray hues. The sound was OK, not the best (the gun shots could have been louder). And of course Kate B. kicks werewolf/vampire butt in this movie. July 14, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...