Selene to the Hybrid's Rescue

Rating: 8/10 (12 February 2012)

From the first moments of the film, the film blasts into nonstop action scenes that the audience won't have time to take a breath. One scene ends, probably a 90-second rest and our heroes fight again with the bad guys. And this time around, we have a new group between the wars: the humans. So the battle here is pretty much Vampires vs. Lycans vs. Humans (although the humans don't actually do any part in the war).
After evading the previous installment, Kate Beckinsale returns to reprise the role of the sadistic, sexy vampire Selene. She's back after experiencing a 12-year sleep in a human facility and being held captive for several reasons. But then, a mysterious hybrid (a combination of vampire and Lycan) awakens her and soon, Selene has to protect the hybrid from the impending threats committed by the Lycans and humans.
The bad guy here is a scientist who works for the facility in which Selene had been trapped. But deep down inside, he's actually a Lycan who aims to triumph over the vampires and humans. And he's got a sidekick, his son named Jacob who's a Lycan but through some process, possesses extra abilities (e.g. more gigantic rippling muscles, heal instantly after being injured).
The action scenes are fantastic and wildly entertaining. They're incredibly fast-paced and this movie definitely provides more than we need. From the first seconds of the film, the movie immediately starts accelerating into full tension with its extravagant and exuberant fighting scenes. The action never stops and there's barely any scenes involving words coming out of the actors' mouths.
The 3D here is mediocre. Some of the scenes offer eye-popping effects while at other scenes, the 3D was hardly noticeable. Some of the scenes didn't even look blurry when I took off my 3D spectacles. Unlike the similar "Resident Evil: Afterlife", "Awakening" offers less eye-popping effects and the 3D here acts like more of an optional choice than a mandatory one.
The acting was okay, not too shabby. But they just don't have enough lines. It's like they're reluctant to talk. There is just not enough things to say that I barely got to know with the characters. I was like "What's his name? What's her name?" The characters don't talk at all. They must have been in some sort of detention class.
But overall, "Underworld: Awakening" is a wildly entertaining film. I'm sure boys will enjoy this film and I'm sure most wouldn't be disappointed after leaving out the theater, as well as for "Underworld" fans. There are plenty of action scenes and it's just sheer fun watching this film. "Awakening" is a visual feast of blood, violence, and action.
Final Verdict: "Underworld: Awakening" is an impressive, stylish entry to the popular "Underworld" series that offers plenty of action, blood, and violence.
Rating: 8/10