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Movie Review - Underworld: Evolution (2006)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Len Wiseman |
| Starring: |
Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, and Bill Nighy |
| Rated: |
R (for pervasive strong violence and gore, some sexuality/nudity and language) |
| Length: |
106 minutes |
| Genre: |
Action/Horror |
| Tagline: |
None. |
| Studio: |
Sony Pictures |
| Website: |
Underworld: Evolution |
| Release: |
January 20, 2006 |
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PLOT
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Picking up where its predecessor left off, Underworld: Evolution follows Selene (Beckinsale)
and the always shirtless Michael (Speedman) as they fight for survival amongst the world of vampires and werewolves.
As you might recall, Alexander Corvinus was a Hungarian warlord who became the first true immortal when his body
was somehow able to mold a village-ravaging virus to his benefit. His two sons (Marcus - bitten by a bat,
William - bitten by a wolf) are the true origins of the Vampires and Lycans.
This is where matters become complicated for Selene and Michael. Marcus has been reawakened and desires
to create a new race in his image. He must first find his long-imprisoned brother and release him from the
tomb that's held him for the past few hundred years. Selene and Michael set out to prevent this. More Vampires Vs. Lycans action ensues.
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JOHNNY'S TAKE
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Feel free to dismiss any reviewer that immediately admits to disliking Underworld and then claims that
Underworld: Evolution is "just as bad" as the original. Does it really surprise anybody that this is a
movie for people who enjoyed the original? Didn't like the first one? Then why subject yourself to a follow-up
that you expect to equally loathe? You have no one to blame but yourself if you spend your time or money on it.
That being said...
This is how you make a sequel! I'll gladly admit it - I'm a fan of Underworld. I own it on DVD.
The style, story, and stunts they delivered on a mere $22 million budget are incredibly impressive. It's a true
testament to what can be accomplished when fans of a genre make a movie using ideas that are bigger than their bankroll.
Thankfully, Underworld: Evolution picks up where the first one leaves off and never bothers to
slow down. An inevitable question is how does it compare to the first? I hesitate to say I prefer one over
the other.
From a technical standpoint there's no question that Evolution is better. The CGI is sharper, the animatronic
werewolves are bigger and badder, and the fight scenes are more intense. But both movies are equally important to the
overall story. Each can be viewed as a necessity in light of the other.
What stands out most prominently in Evolution is there's just more to it. Take any expression or adjective that
you feel adequately describes the original and add "er" to it. It's gorier. It's bloodier. It's faster. It's
action-packeder. OK, so that last one doesn't work, but you get the point. Whether you can tolerate the extra blood
and gore is a matter of personal taste, but we're talking werewolves and vampires. Anybody who walks out of the theater
claiming, "There was too much blood!" could probably use a good slapping.
However, story isn't sacrificed for the sake of juiced up stunts and explosions. The element most essential
to Evolution's success is its abundance of back-story which effectively maintains continuity with the first
film. Remember Amelia? You haven't forgotten about Viktor and what he did to Selene's family, have you? Gaps are
filled and details are expounded upon to give us a couple of nice twists that keep the plot fresh and
interesting.
That's it. That's all I'm going to say about the movie. Further elaboration is neither necessary nor useful.
See it and absorb it all for yourself. I do recommend watching your Underworld DVD beforehand because
it'll cut down on some possible confusion. Of course, some of you fanboys probably have the original memorized,
rendering a 203rd viewing redundant.
Are you already a fan of Underworld? If so then you'll likely view this as a worthy sequel. It's stylish,
it's dark, it's atmospheric, and it's still sportin' that sweet hybrid 'tude.
Or did you hate the original? If so then do yourself and us a favor and save your money. No one really wants to
hear you complain that this is "just as bad." Are you just looking for an excuse to play Billy BadBone on the
Internet message boards? No doubt it allows you to put your whining to good use, but can't you find another skill
to fine-tune?
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ODDS & ENDS
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- Underworld grossed over $100 million worldwide against a $22 million budget.
- While filming a scene where Selene and Michael look in each other's eyes, director Wiseman jokingly played
Bryan Adams' song Everything I Do, I Do it for You. Special feature on the DVD, perhaps?
- Wiseman and Kate are married.
- When Kate was offered the role for Underworld she initially said she wasn't interested. She didn't
want to look at the script simply because it was a "werewolf movie." Wiseman, who wasn't married to her at the
time, sent her drawings of Selene and the werewolves that convinced her the movie wouldn't be a cartoonish
portrayal.
- The filmmakers wanted to use science rather than mysticism as a base for the movie. That's why Wiseman
created a virus that would explain the origins of the Vampires and Lycans. His friend, Kevin Grevioux,
has a background in genetic engineering and helped with the details.
- Kate Beckinsale was in Haunted with Aidan Quinn who was in
Desperately Seeking Susan with Will Patton who was in Gone in Sixty Seconds with Scott Caan who was
in Into the Blue with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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It's safe to say that Underworld: Evolution would not meet mama's approval. It's even more adult-oriented
than Underworld. There's a lot more blood and gore, and unlike the first one, there's some nudity here.
There's even a fairly extended sex scene between Michael and Selene. We don't see explicit nudity during
the scene, but it's not something you want your kids to see. And if you do want your kids to see that then send
me an email with your personal information and I'll contact social services.
A few f-bombs are dropped along the way as well. Please, leave the children at home. Common sense should tell
you that.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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The trailer promises vampires and werewolves. Guess what? The movie delivers on all points.
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THE GIST
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Watch Underworld first. If you enjoy it then Underworld: Evolution is worth seeing on the big screen,
otherwise you're probably better off spending your time and money on something else.
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