Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Nick Grever | The News Record

It seems that the Underworld series is trying desperately to establish itself as the campy, cult action series of the 2000s. Considering the third film of the series, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, was just released (a prequel this time), another nail may have been pried from the coffin: You just can’t keep a good vampire down.

Let it be said up front: If you did not enjoy the first two Underworld movies, don’t bother seeing this one; it’s more of the same. Trade in twin pistols for swords and vinyl cat suits with corsets for chain mail with more corsets, and you basically have the same formula. Even the characters are recycled (it is a prequel after all). So if you enjoyed the stylized fight scenes, hints of nudity and generally gothy goodness of the first, then enjoy this iteration. If not, go see Defiance instead.

That said, Rise of the Lycans is an enjoyable film that gives you a fuller picture of events hinted at in the first two films. The story revolves around Sonja, the daughter of the vampire ruler, Viktor. She and Lucian, the first Lycan, share a forbidden love, and when Viktor finds out his pet and his daughter are getting it on, he is none too pleased. This drives Lucian to revolt, resulting in a hectic battle between Viktor, Lucian and their armies.

But this set-up has one big flaw: The people who have seen the first two films know exactly who will live and have a pretty good idea how it will all go down; those who haven’t seen the previous movies will be hopelessly lost. The director assumes the viewer will follow his allusions and if they can’t, well, tough luck, best ask the person sitting next to you.

For those of us who are able to follow the overall story, the plot of Rise of the Lycans isn’t too engaging. Knowing a character is going to die ruins the experience. One just waits for it to happen and to find out exactly how. And “how” is not nearly as exciting to find out as “if” is.

But if you want to turn off your brain for an hour and a half and just enjoy some blood, guts and camp, then you can’t do much better than Underworld. The ever present decapitations, impalements and throat slashes are in full force, as well as the frequent maulings from werewolf attacks. It may be the same old formula as the first films, but it’s a formula that hasn’t yet grown stale.

And let’s not forget the gothtastic acting and general aesthetic of the movie. Black hair, Gothic clothing and barely clad women are in full force, all wrapped in a blanket of darkness. The film has a few scenes that take place in the daylight, and they are surprising to the senses. The scenes break from the drab palette of blue and black; seeing the green of leaves is as shocking to the viewer as it is to the escaping Lycans.

The landscape coupled with the ham-filled acting makes for a film that falls squarely in the popcorn movie range. Go to be entertained, but that’s about all you’ll get out the film. But somehow, some of the ham works. Sure, the actors take every scene to 11, but some of the overacting is actually kind of enjoyable. Just don’t expect any Oscars to be handed out this time next year.

Overall, if you have any interest in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, you’ll most likely find something enjoyable in your hour and a half. If the preview had you checking your text messages, skip it. Like any good cult movie, it has its fans and its detractors. For you fans, add a star to the rating; this film was made for you, drink it in.
  
3/5 stars