Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.This prequel to Len Wiseman’s Underworld and Underworld: Evolution is distinctively different, especially minus the nimble vampire warrior star, Selene (Kate Beckinsale). Underworld: Rise of the Lycans takes its cues from the vampire/werewolf battles that occur in the other films, but director Patrick Tatopoulos focuses here on the young werewolf Lucian’s (Michael Sheen) rise to leadership. Rise of the Lycans is set mostly within the walls of vampire lord Viktor’s (Bill Nighy) castle, so the film’s silver, black, and blue palette reflects a world happening under moonlight. From the outset, when Viktor brings Lucian, the first werewolf, into the world, this villainous bloodsucker’s daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), is smitten with Lucian’s hairy appearance and instinctual intelligence. As years pass, Lucian grows tired of watching his race suffer slavery and imprisonment, and recruits a human named Raze (Kevin Grevioux) to assist rebellion. This archetypal plot is not so riveting, and what carries Underworld: Rise of the Lycans are the battle scenes between vampires and werewolves, which are excitingly fast-paced and brutal. The whole film adopts a medieval battlefield aesthetic that carries an otherwise clichéd story about illicit love and freedom fighting. Some characters, like the traitor vampire Tannis (Steven Mackintosh), also intrigues throughout, as one guesses who he will ally with. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans may not be the finest film in the werewolf and vampire archives independently, but its mixed monstrosity makes it unique and entertaining, especially on a big screen. –Trinie Dalton
Stills from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (click for larger image)
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March 24, 2006
#1
I’m sorry, but this movie sucked.
Also, no Kate Beckinsale = Horrible Horrible Horrible Movie
Who gives this 4 or 5 stars? teenie boppers?
March 24, 2006
#2
First of all, the actor playing Lucien doesn’t seem right for the part. In the first movie, when he started growling while transforming in that flashback scene, it looked silly rather than frightening. I think it’s because the way he’s made up, his forehead is too big, and his face is scrunched up under it. He doesn’t radiate power or danger but looks more like a brainy type. I don’t know if that was intentional in the casting, but it’s weird.
Second, it’s just boring. Although it was nice to see Tannis again, in his former glory. The plot moves too slowly, and the Victor chews the scenery with every line – always looks like his face muscles are about to pop out of his skin.
I got to where Lucien is waiting for whatshername at the clearing and I simply didn’t care anymore. I hope it didn’t get better after that, because I sent that DVD right back.
March 24, 2006
#3
Fairly entertaining except Michael Sheen is too contemporary for the role of Lucien and with all the beautiful vampire women running around manages to fall for the ugliest in the bunch!
March 24, 2006
#4
I was so excited to see this movie but the story didn’t fit from the last two movies. The vampires didn’t stand a chance against the Lycans and didn’t even put up a fight. When the battle came all of the vampires did was run away and yell and scream. They didn’t even try. The previous movies made the vamps into this elite species but this prequal didn’t add up. It almost makes you wonder how the Lycans were even enslaved for so long. If the vampires were no match for the Lycans why were they making more.
March 24, 2006
#5
This 3rd installment of the series was disappointing. No Kate Beckinsale, and it reminded me of the 3rd installment of the Mummy series. A definite come down.