By Jason Schwalm
Director: Len Wiseman
Screenplay: Danny McBride
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman
Run time: 105 min.
Rating: R
Release date: In theaters
Lured by the promise of vampires vs. werewolves, I rushed to see “Underworld: Evolution.” In the fashion of other dramatically titled sequels – “Matrix: Revolution,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” – this newest “Underworld” built off of the first film, at times incoherently.
While the villain in “Underworld” was an evil werewolf allied with a traitorous vampire, the villain in “Underworld: Evolution” was an even bigger evil werewolf allied with an even meaner traitorous vampire. And the fight scenes were cooler.
The movie rested on the alluring British accent and tight leather pants of its star, Kate Beckinsale. Her character, a Death Dealer, must hunt the known world for werewolves, so to protect humanity. Driven by altruistic motives, Selene (Beckinsale) and the other Death Dealers take blood intravenously, rather than the classic tack, (ravishing maidens on a hillside).
In the first “Underworld,” Selene comes to the aid of Michael Corvin. Part Lycan and part vampire, Corvin is valuable in the first film for the potential embedded in his mixed blood. Everyone has forgotten about this by the second movie.
Selene is still taken by him however, and, in mid-flight from the evil Marcus, seduces Michael while hiding in a packing crate. The director, Len Wiseman, is clearly fond of his leading lady’s navel, and after two minutes of footage displaying this part of her anatomy, surely the audience will be as well.
Once playtime is over, the audience will be equally pleased to discover that “Underworld: Evolution” does have a plot. It would seem that Marcus has a twin, William. Some kind of proto-werewolf, this twin brother terrorized town-folk until he was locked in a sarcophagus. Selene’s father built this device, and she is now in sole possession of the key that will release Marcus’ brother from his lifetime of sequester, which he can apparently survive without sustenance of any kind.
British actor Sir Derek Jacobi makes a brief appearance in the film, akin to Dame Judi Dench’s recent turn with Vin Diesel in “The Chronicles of Riddick.” Like unexpectedly meeting a friend in the section of the video rental store hidden behind the curtain, he must feel ashamed on the one hand, but on the other I’m sure it’s encouraging for Mr. Jacobi to know that he is not the only one.
Ultimately, there is little to distinguish “Underworld: Evolution” from other movies of its ilk. If you are in the mood to see vampires battle werewolves, underscored by heavy metal, with intermittent shots of topless women, then this is the film for you.
On second thought, this movie rules!
