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In UNDERWORLD, a dark and Gothic monster action movie, vampires and lycans--an
ancient form of werewolf--are at war. While the vampires inhabit a gigantic
castle that houses their ancestor’s tombs, the lycans live underground in a
dilapidated sewer cave. Both teams are equipped with big guns, and they are
constantly innovating deadlier bullets to gain advantage over each other. On the
vampire side, the leather-clad death agent Selene (Kate Beckinsale) delegates
teams of vamps to attack the lycans. But when she discovers that the lycans have
kidnapped a human medical student, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), she knows
the worst is on its way. Against the orders of her superior, Kraven (Shane
Brolly), who is obsessively in love with Selene, she awakens the most powerful
vampire of all time, Viktor (Bill Nighy) and prepares for a massive feud against
lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen).
Director Len Wiseman offers a tough,
fast, and gory addition to the horror-fantasy genre with UNDERWORLD. Impressive
special effects show the lycans transforming from humans to werewolves, and the
lycans’ ability to squeeze silver bullets out of their skin is also rudely
fascinating. Beckinsale is captivating in the role of the lead vamp, with her
leather corset, pouty expressions, and double-fisted pistols perfectly
communicating the glam-action mood of the film. |