MovieRewind: Underworld (2003) Review

MovieRewind is a series of movies from the past, each reviewed and rated. That means, if a movie released a year ago or longer then there is a high possibility it might make its way into this series.

Basically, whenever I have seen a movie from years gone there will most likely be a review posted on this channels page.

Thanks.

"Underworld" (2003) follows the story of Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire from a vampire clan, who is one of the death-dealers, a segment to the clan who safeguard the vampire race, and keep the werewolf/Lycans at bay.

Selene, whilst following a couple of Lycans, finds them following a human, Michael (Scott Speedman), which is odd because the Lycan clan rarely follow humans for any reason other than feeding, but it appears these Lycans have taken great interest in the human, Michael.

When conflict inevitably happens, Selene finds herself fighting the two Lycans, and in her escape finds what sounds like a hundred Lycan's in the underground sewers, a number the vampires haven't encountered for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Unable to convince the acting head of the vampire clan, Kraven (Shane Brolly), Selene decides to do her own investigation, starting with the human, Michael Corvin, who is being hunted for some unknown purpose by the Lycan's.

"Underworld" has some of the best vampire-Lycan conflict of any movie released, ever. The vampire lore is impeccably told, the Lycan's, and their clan leader, Lucian (Michael Sheen), are well developed, giving a glimpse into the war between the two species which has span over a thousand years.

The movie is a gothic look at a world where vampires and Lycans are at war between one another for dominance, with humans completely unaware of these monster species existence, It is rare we find a vampire/werewolf movie that can accomplish action, and storytelling quite like "Underworld", as the entire flick leaves a burning desire to see a sequel - which there are... 4 to be exact ("Evolution", "Rise of the Lycans", "Awakening", and "Blood Wars")..

The acting performances are perfectly executed by the entire leading cast in "Underworld", but the one performance which stands out above the rest is that of Bill Nighy, who plays Viktor, the head of the vampire clan, as his acting is both scene-stealing, and gravitational, as all his moments in the movie truly brings the acts together. Viktor is Selene's master, but also his adoptive daughter of sorts, as he sees her as being like his own blood, and mentors her.

The coin flips in the movie when is turns out Michael, the human, is actually a descendant of the Corvinus family, the original bloodline of the very first Vampire and Lycan, who are brothers. The Lycan's want Michael Corvin because his blood is the key to Lycan strength, essentially making him pivotal in the war against the vampire race, and when he is bitten and turned into a Lycan by Lucian, it becomes clear he is special in a way no other Lycan is.

The director, Len Wiseman ("Underworld: Evolution", "Die Hard 4.0"), had his directorial debut with 2003's "Underworld", and this truly showed off his abilities behind a camera, as this is one of the best made vampire/were-wolf action movies ever made, giving a deeper look into the myths behind the two great mythological nightmares, the vampire and Lycan clans.

Wiseman understands that set design and special effects can go a long way in making a movie feel dynamic, and create amazing action sequences that feel memorable. From the gothic outfits of the vampire clan, the meticulously created set designs, the CGI of the Lycan's, and the overall execution of "Underworld" is a spectacle for action fans to delve into.

The villain of the story, Kraven, a double-agent working with the Lycan clan, having formed an alliance in secret, is slippery, and when Viktor, the true leader of the vampire clan, awakens he is quick to deal with the Lycan clan that is growing into innumerable numbers, but Lucian, the leader of the Lycan clan, has other plans and informs Selene, a vampire who has fallen in love with the now Lycan, Michael, that a bite from both a Lycan and vampire will turn Michael into a hybrid.

After Michael Corvin is bitten by both Lycan and vampire he is quick to turn into a hybrid (the only in existence) of the two demonic species, and just in the nick of time as Viktor seeks to eradicate Michael and the rest of the Lycan clan. The ending fight is beautifully done, with unexpected alliances proving the downfall of one of these great powers.

The story for Underworld is what you would expect for an action movie involving a war between the greatest mythological nightmares, vampires and Lycan's, as it tells a great tale of a modern world where beneath the surface of humanities existence there is an unshakable war between the bats and wolves (vampires and werewolf's) .