|
Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition) (0309084342)
Description
| Product Description |
|
| Better action, a bit of sex, and gorier R-rated violence make Underworld: Evolution a reasonably satisfying sequel to 2003's surprise hit Underworld. Looking stunning as ever in her black leather battle gear, Kate Beckinsale is every goth guy's fantasy as Selene, the vampire "death dealer" who's now fighting to stop the release of the original "Lycan" werewolf, William (Brian Steele) from the prison that's held him for centuries. As we learn from the film's action-packed prologue, William and his brother Marcus (Tony Curran) began the bloodline of vampires and werewolves, and after witnessing centuries of warfare between them, their immortal father Corvinus (Derek Jacobi) now seeks Selene and the human vampire/lycan hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) to put an end to the war perpetuated by Victor (Bill Nighy), the vampire warrior whose betrayal of Selene turns Underworld: Evolution into an epic tale of familial revenge. This ambitious attempt at Shakespearean horror is compromised by a script (by Danny McBride and returning director Len Wiseman, Beckinsale's real-life husband) that's more confusing than it needs to be, with too many characters and not enough storytelling detail to flesh them all out. Aspiring to greatness and falling well short of that goal, Underworld: Evolution succeeds instead as a full-throttle action/horror thriller, with enough swordplay, gunplay, and CGI monsters to justify the continuation of the Underworld franchise. If you're an established fan, this is a must-see movie; if not, well... at least it's better than Van Helsing! --Jeff Shannon Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
Customer feedback
|
|
Voting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Guest
Ok, I feel the need to start off saying that Underworld (1st movie) was a great stylized action movie with both an intriguing character in Selena (Beckinsale) and a great story line. I watch it every chance I get and would highly recommend it. I was really looking forward to Underworld Evolution...
That being said, I would not recommend Underworld Evolution.
What made Underworld awesome was that it was telling a story of a "chosen one" but from the perspective of the guardian of that chosen one (Beckinsale's character). Add in it had great stylized action scenes (Matrix-esque, while still being original in appearance), a feel of a huge back history to the story, and very effective bad guys. Now take all that and throw it out the window. You then have Underworld Evolution.
The Evolution story takes the guardian and makes her the complete center of the story, without a clear reason why (beyond the fact that Beckinsale is insanely hot; she alone earns the second star). This losses a key element that made this license original; as most people will tell you, sometimes the side characters can be more interesting than the top guys. Boba Fett and Morpheus are ultimately more interesting than Luke and Neo. Same thing with the characters in this movie. But something is lost immediately when Beckinsale's character becomes the top guy.
As well, the fight scenes are no where near as stylized, losing a great element to the story telling; though I am sure horror fans (which this movie CAN fall into that category, though I wouldn't put it there) will enjoy the drastic increase in blood and gore. I see no added benefit to the gore over intriguing fight scenes, but I will admit I am not a horror movie fan.
Add in the back story and the bad guys, the werewolves, take a weird Highlander-left field continuity turn that doesn't get explained properly. I don't want to give too much away, but even vampire/werewolf movie fans will not like this. Maybe I didn't catch enough, but I doubt it.
I heard that both Beckinsale and the director (her husband) didn't want to do the same movie again, which I can completely respect. BUT this really is Highlander 2 to Highlander 1. I think anyone remotely interested in this movie will understand that comparison and save their money.
Bottom line: Not a good sequel or movie. I can't even see an unrated cut making this a good movie. I truly wanted more from this movie, but I would say pass. If you have to see this movie, rent it, but do not buy.
|
Author: Guest
I know many people really enjoyed the film. Critics say the film's story is badly written, but I tried not to listen. No, while watching `Underworld Evolution,' I was just thinking about who is good and who is bad, which is the best way for me to enjoy the action sequences. But sorry, I couldn't finally bring myself to love this one.
I don't summarize the film. Other reviewers have done it better. I only say you must see the original `Underworld' before watching this sequel. In the chapter below I repeat what I have seen in the first 20 minutes only, and you know what I mean.
As `Underworld Evolution' opens, you must read a sketchy prologue that tells us about the history of Lycans and Vampires. Then in its opening flashback sequences, the film goes back to the year 1202, when the troops led by Viktor are hunting William, a twin brother of Marcus. And then, finally, we are to meet Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and Michael (Scott Speedman) on the run from the Vampire clan, somewhere in the Eastern Europe though the film does not explain how and why they managed to travel there.
All these things happen in the earlier chapters, which is too much for me to understand. Some footage from the first film tries to explain the background of the new story, but it doesn't work. I have seen the first `Underworld' when it was released, and remember the key elements of the film, but even so the additional information only helped confuse me. Director Len Wiseman and co-writer Danny McBride seem to stick to the principle -- the more, the better. My idea is, `Why not make it simple?'
I admit that actions are better than the first ones. They are packed with gore and violence, and Len Wiseman clearly wants them that way. I do not disagree with his decision, and I find the fight sequences are largely enjoyable. However, the cheesy sex scenes are another thing. They are rather pointless and emotionless, cheapening the entire film. The special effects also need improvement, and Michael's transformation into werewolf is far from seamless.
When all is said and done, `Underworld Evolution' is a reasonable sequel, better than the first one. It also knows its target audiences, and provides what they want (it fared better than the original on the US box-office chart). But I still don't know why the story should be so convoluted.
By the way, it is Lily Mo Sheen (Kate Beckinsale's daughter) who plays the young Selene. Why not use her more, and forget about Derek Jabobi's character?
|
Author: Guest
Boring! Dull! Lack of character development! Lack of flow! This is what the first 30 minutes seemed like. I couldn't watch anymore even though I was kinda' tryin' to force myself. Pero, no, I don't think it would have been a good movie.
|
Author: Guest
I could say a lot about how much I liked this movie, but it would just be rehashing what others have said.
One point that I would like to make. Marcus and Micheal, are remarkedly different hybrids. Mike has a wolfish look, as Marcus is batty. I like how they did differentiate them that way. Mike was a Lycan first, Marcus was a vampire. I liked that.
|
Author: Guest
I loved this movie! The first one does have better, more in depth characters, but Underworld Evolution has Scott Speedman with his shirt off many more times, and thats all that really matters. All the acting was amazing, there was alot of awesome fight scenes too. It could have had more in the way of a story, but the little story line it had was pretty interesting and picked up right where the last one left off.
All in all I thought this was an excelent movie. It was interesting and just good fun. I went to see it twice in theaters because I just couldn't get enough. I hope they make a third!
|
Send to Friend
Send to friend
|
|
