Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Review

While some franchises, especially those surrounding monsters or killers, dry up and stop producing entertaining films after the first film, “Underworld” has seemingly avoided this pitfall.
“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is the third installment in the “Underworld” series and is a prequel to the films starring Kate Beckinsale.
The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans (werewolves, for those unfamiliar with monster terminology).
In the Dark Ages, a Lycan named Lucian (Michael Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against vampire king who enslaved them, Viktor (Bill Nighy).
Lucian and his secret lover, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), who also happens to be Viktor’s daughter, try to escape the kingdom and live happily every after — or as happily ever after as vampires and werewolves can live.
Sheen, who has portrayed a slew of clean-shaven gentlemen, fit surprisingly well into the role of the werewolf leader and all around hard case who is a master of swords and crossbows.
Mitra also does her part in easyily filling Beckinsale’s shoes as the butt-kicking vampire who could kill with her looks if she needed too.
The real star of the film is Nighy. The veteran actor can pull off prim and proper as well as Sheen, but can fit the role of cruel vampire king like he was born to play the part. His speech and look serve to deliver a terrifying villain.
The film isn’t memorable in the sense of having a great plot or even having great action. It has its “ooh” moments and a few good battle scenes, but for the most part the film is average.
There are only so many times you can watch a werewolf get stabbed or a vampire get his head bitten off before getting an overwhelming sense of repetition. However, there are moments when the filmmakers mix it up by adding a giant crossbow shooting spears, which perks up the audience and grabs their attention.
It fits well in the “Underworld series, and — unlike most prequels — delivers the same thing “Underworld” fans have grown to love — hot vampires and cool fight scenes.
Many prequels will try to take a new twist on a working formula, which usually ends with a huge black mark on the entire franchise.
“Underworld” isn’t a huge franchise by any means, but it is something to be respected among the other films surrounding similar storylines.
Another issue with prequels is having established certain people live and certain people die and there is no way to change the ending.
The nit-picky side of me has a problem with the various liberties the filmmakers took in changing the story, but nothing too drastic was changed, which kept the integrity of the film intact.
I didn’t hate the film or love it. It fell right in the middle of enjoyable for a cold Saturday night where I could either see something starring Brendan Fraser or a film I may enjoy. Fraser never wins in this equation.
Fans of the monster genre will enjoy the film and a few general audiences may also appreciate the story, but if you aren’t sure if you will have an enjoyable time, you should rent the first two films. It will give you a good idea what is in store for you.
Remember, friends don’t let friends see movies with Brendan Fraser.

Starring: Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy
Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality

Rating: 2 stars