I remember seeing this film opening weekend back in 2003, and even six years later I am just as satisfied as I was after that initial viewing. The "Underworld" franchise depicts a centuries long feud between a coven of vampires and the ravenous Lycans. With this film taking place in present day amongst a Gothic type metropolis, the atmosphere is absolutely perfect given the storyline. Combined with stunning visual effects and a stellar cast rounding out its core characters, part one is a guaranteed winner! Len Wiseman takes the helm as director, writer, and producer all while making it a family affair by casting his gorgeous and talented wife Kate Beckinsale as Selene. The first of what later on spawned into a trilogy, the "Underworld" series has taken two of folklore's most mystifying creatures and given them a whole new back story and brought to life a world that makes you wonder what is and what could be. Definitely a film to watch and add to any collection, and be sure to check out the sequel and the recently released prequel to round out the story. Enjoy!!!
Okay so just like the first installment to the franchise, I remember seeing this one opening weekend too. Three years later, and I am still just as into it now as I was then. While "Underworld: Evolution" is a direct sequel to it's predecessor, the film initially opens in the year 1202 A.D. to give the audience a brief background on the varied connections between the two bloodlines and another rift that sent them down centuries of death and destruction. After the prologue, we pick up with Vampire Selene, and her Lycan/Vampire Hybrid lover whom are now on the run after taking down the Vampire Elder Viktor. Once again you've got Len Wiseman at the helm on all counts and presents the fans with another stellar film. This time around however, we're taken on a ride that uncovers a secret lineage that once again intertwines the bloodlines of the vampires and lycans. For die-hard fans of the series, this too is definitely one to add to your collection. Also be sure to check out the recently released prequel to round out the trilogy. Enjoy the show!
Finally the prequel we've been waiting for to round out the "Underworld" trilogy. Unlike the first two films, this one I was not able to catch in theaters so yesterday when it was released I was able to rent it via netflix of course. Now I know this installment has gotten a variety of mixed reviews from fans. The most common I have come across is that people felt as if there was no need for a prequel, or at least not the story they depicted in 'Rise of the Lycans.' I'll have to disagree with this, because even though we learned of the story between Lucian and Sonja in the original, there is a completely different take on it when you see it first hand on screen. Could they have done a prequel following a different storyline, perhaps at an even earlier time than this took place in? Of course, but all in all Len Wiseman once again delivers, but this time is solely acting as the producer, while he gives up the director's chair to Patrick Tatopoulos. Just as visually satisfying as the first two, I have to say the finale scene takes the cake here. The ending rounds out the series perfectly, and brings us directly up to the beginning of the original film. For those of you who haven't seen it yet, make it a movie night and watch the trilogy one after the other. Enjoy the films!
Here you have a semi-reversal of the classic home invasion genre, only this time shown through the events at a cheap motel rather than a private residence. With the acting talents of Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, you are sure to enjoy the characters they portray regardless of the mayhem they encounter on their journey. The film itself has a completely voyeuristic feel to it what with the immense camera lenses watching them, and wreaks of Norman Bates. What I found particularly satisfying was the social commentary depicted when the deranged serial killers use their murderous videos as a marketing tool to bring in money. Without spoiling it, I will say the ending of this film could have two possible outcomes; which is something I both love and hate. This is definitely a film to watch and add into your collection if you're a fan of the home invasion genre. Enjoy!
Here we have the prequel to the 2007 film in which we are shown the beginning of how the motel came to be a place of murder and mayhem. That aspect of it I actually felt was very well done, and quite interesting to see that they were originally just perverted peepers and not serial killers. The murder videos came about when they accidentally witnessed a man check in with a prostitute and slash her to death. However, at the same time I found it highly unlikely that even peeping toms would out of the blue decide to video tape people dying and sell them to clients. With a younger cast of relatively unknown actors, the performances came off well to keep us interested. Unfortunately, I have to say that the film fails to provide continuity for the series and skews the timeline to the point where you don't know who and how certain people came to run the motel. As a prequel its purpose is to present us with answers and not to create more than we had originally. This one is worth a watch, but I'd say it is one to be left out of the collection. Enjoy it!
There you have it everyone, part four has come to an end but don't get your sick and twisted minds into a psychotic frenzy... Part five is already in the works! Wishing all of you a terrifyingly killer weekend, and be sure to get yourself out to the movies this summer for a slew of carnage to rip through the screens. Enjoy fear-seekers, DishThis!
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