Underworld: Evolution

When you have a lead that looks at great as Kate Beckinsdale does in tight black leather - and that film makes a small piece of profit - it's only a matter of logic that a sequel should follow on. Almost an impossible feat, Kate's found a way to look even better in Underworld: Evolution than she did in the first. Chicks in tight black leather aren't ever going to be my thing, but damned if she doesn't pull off her costume with a scorching amount of style. I won't yak on about the costume for too much longer, but I think this may be the first movie I've seen which features those style of tight black costumes - you know the ones, they're in every second sci-fi film now - where a character attempts to exit their constraints on screen. The scene where Kate and Scott get it on suggests for the very first time that wearing skin-tight leather doesn't necessarily equate to a life of forced celibacy and/or require the wearer be a eunuch to don 'em.

The Underworld sequel boasts one of the better opening sequences for this genre of film in some time. It's a tastily vicious serving of werewolf vs. vampire ass-kicking goodness, not shy about unleashing a few nasty surprises. It might not equal the from-left-field intensity and surprise of the bloodlust opening from Blade - you should know basically what to expect from an Underworld sequel - but it does it well. From then onwards the film does become a little too plot heavy at times, really, some of the developments can't help be seem convoluted. We're given a sequel whose main plotline is to delve back into past events and use them to justify current character motivations. Well, that's certainly become a well-regarded technique on 'Lost' but this ain't a TV show. Learning about the history of the characters is what you have a first film for. Plot threads like Seline's connection to past events was a bit hard to swallow, and the main antagonist’s motivations were a little difficult to compare to reason, but, then again, I'm not a vampire and I don't have a werewolf brother who's only seeming goal in life is to turn every human into a werewolf, so what do I know?!

The plot, while also including some nonsense about the father of the seed of all vampires and werewolves, services what is a string of very enjoyable action scenes, but for me, the movie was made by the relationship between Seline and Scott Speedman's Michael. Writer, director and Kate's hubby Wiseman could have booted Speedman out or written his character into the background, but instead he seemed content enough to include him in a scene sans leather with his wife. Thankfully though, their chemistry extends beyond the mere awkwardness of a vampire/hybrid hump scene. Each of their characters hold a a real sense of loyalty and respect for each other, which is quite rare. There's a feeling that they care deeply for each other, with that serving almost as a reward for the audience. We were asked to invest a little in the two characters in the first film, but unlike so many sequels, we've actually been paid interest on that initial investment and it feels good to watch them fight alongside each other, knowing that there's no treachery in store.

Unlike many recent female-led action flicks, Kate rules the show in Underworld: Evolution. Perhaps it's the English accent, or just her bitch-slapping personality, but she's "that'ard" and we get to know it. While Speedman follows up with a decent side-kick showing - pretty good actually, he gets a few scenes to shine too - Bill Nighy welcomely repeats the same forceful performance as Viktor in his reappearance. The decency concerning the characters mostly ends there. Derek Jacobi's character Corvinus is pretty poor really, he's there simply as a way for Marcus to find the key he needs, his situation as the guy who's spent hundreds of years cleaning up after vampire/werewolf fights is rather stupid. Then comes Marcus. Surely they could have given him something more sensible to aim for? Sure, William is his brother, but he knows what releasing him will do. But, as I said, I'm not a vampire and I don't have a werewolf brother who's only seeming goal in life is to turn every human into a werewolf, so what do I know?! Concept-wise, Marcus is great. He has the best look of any creature in the film, but it pains to see such a character reek to utterly.

Like its predecessor, Underworld: Evolution is an above average film for this genre. It packs its first punches straight out of the gate and provides a healthy stream of action throughout. While some of the back-story and plot concerning broken loyalties and family bloodlines becomes tedious, it doesn't bog itself down into idiot logic like Blade II. A huge plus is Beckinsdale and also Seline's relationship with Michael. There's a couple of surprising scares and some great take-outs. It would have been nice to see some more of that super-Seline ass kicking she does, but perhaps that's only v' human thing. Keep the characters as likable as they have been, but make sure the plot focuses less on kids laughing and running around with flowers and more on Seline and Scott tag-teaming the latest baddies and we have a great recipe for entry three.


out of ten

"Reviewed" by Paul Boschen

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