One of the Best Action Thrillers in Years...

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2006)

Vampire and Werewolf movies have been seen constantly throughout the years, from classics like "Dracula" and "The Wolf Man" to the awful "Van Helsing", the terrible "Cursed", and the truly rancid "Dracula 2000". Underworld provides a new, updated, edgier, and sexier approach to such long-running genres. The film combines incredible special effects (done with little money), stylishly Gothic sets and costume designs (full of black and dark bluesgotta love it), and a stellar cast of actors that include Kate Beckisnale, Scott Speedman, and Bill Nighy. The film starts with vampire and "death dealer", Selene (Kate Beckinsale), telling us of the long running war between Vampire and Lycan and its unknown origins to how it all began. The vampire empire is controlled by three elders, two of which stay asleep while one remains above to rule, thus alternating every century. The current elder awake is Amelia (Zita Görög), while powerful and feared leaders like Viktor (Bill Nighy) and Marcus (later played by Tony Curran) reside in protected covens. These covens are run by the greedy and untrustworthy Kraven (Shane Brolly).
The Coven is shaken when the Lycan begin hunting a certain human by the name of Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), for an unknown scientific purpose. It is shaken further when Selene believes that the thought-to-be-dead Lycan leader, Lucian (Michael Sheen) may very well be alive, and in league with Kraven. After rescuing Michael from both sides, Selene sacrifices her good name in the Coven to uncover the conspiracy. Selene awakens her father-figure elder, Viktor in order to bring justice to the treacherous Kraven. Unfortunately, at first, Viktor would not be able to look past her insubordination and disregard for the laws that he so heavily believed in. From there, the truth of the conspiracy unfolds, involving the creation of a hybrid, the betrayal of a colleague, and the descendant to the father of all immortalsAlexander Corvinus (later played by Derek Jacobi).
While many would say this film looks like "The Matrix" and plays out like a typical horror film, they obviously haven't sat through the entire film. This movie not only provides action, blood, gore, sex appeal, and solid entertainment, but it also balances all of that with a firm storyline. A storyline that sets up an epic tale of lies, deception, and deadly blood feuds (forgive the pun). The visuals are also paralleled with a myriad of fantastic performances. Kate Beckinsale owns the character of Selene. She is sexy, violent, tender when she needs to be, and an overall bada$$. Speedman was perfect as the human caught up in a supernatural conspiracy that can cost him his life, or make him a God. Finally, there is, of course, my favorite performance of Bill Nighy as Viktor. Nighy is an underrated genius of an actor, and, although he is in only in a small percentage of the 2 hour film, he steals the show. While he fathers Selene and lays down the law in the Vampire world, you can't help but like him (especially when he grabs the enormous Lycan character of Raze by the neck, only to kill him easily), but the revelation of his true character only adds to Nighy's brilliant, suave, and menacing performance. Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen, and Erwin Leder played their roles out to perfection as well (although I think Shane Brolly could lighten up on his facial expressions). This film is epic, exciting, and overall just a damn good movie. After you see this you will be dying to see the sequel, which I also highly recommend.