80 Minutes is not long enough to tell this story...

Rating: 4/10 (29 January 2012)

Underworld: Awakening is easy enough to like. If I didn't leave the movie theater with the feeling like I had just been ripped off, it might have received a slightly better review. The truth is, despite the utter lack of a storyline, this movie is enjoyable. As the movie carried on, I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next. Then it ended. Many movies nowadays are 90 minutes. Movies that short, however, are usually weak seeing as they don't have the time to develop a storyline. A movie usually needs to be about two hours or more in order to develop a decent storyline.
Underworld is 80 minutes. All movie websites say that it lasts 90 minutes. Why? Because it extends its credits into eternity so that the general public doesn't realize that they are about to pay full price for a movie that hasn't even been completed. Meanwhile, it presents a half- developed storyline that is drowned out in action sequences. When it is all said and done, I can't help but wonder if the storyline was even necessary at all.
Underworld: Awakening presents itself well from the beginning. The quick recap of events makes it unnecessary to be a fan of the series. It'll catch you up on all the basics. It hardly matters, however, since the storyline for this movie goes in an entirely new direction. I like the setup. But, about halfway through the movie, the plot bends in a new and all too predictable direction. Meanwhile, the script is so bare-bones that it is impossible to get a feel for any of the characters. Even the most important relationship in the movie—between patient one and patient two—is skipped over as if it were irrelevant.
This movie relies on its action scenes. This is what makes this movie fun to watch. Although there are several times where the special effects are lacking (the Lichen remind me of the unspeakable creatures from The Princess Bride/the girl reminds me of the girl from The Ring), the action scenes are generally fun to watch. Kate Beckinsale has the ability to make you feel like you really are watching a deadly ninja with superpowers. If she were handed a better action script, she would probably be able to make it soar.
Don't see this movie. The new directors—Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein— are caught up in the business of making a quick buck by ripping you off. The action is fun to watch, but not worth the money. If you are desperate to know what happens in the Underworld storyline, just wait until it comes out at Redbox and rent it. Don't surrender to Hollywood. You deserve better for your hard earned money.