In the realm of action films, the whole thing works pretty well.
Underworld (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:153
Fresh:46
Rotten:107
Average Rating:4.7/10
Consensus: Though stylish to look at, Underworld is tedious and derivative.
Runtime: 2 hrs 26 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: In UNDERWORLD, a dark and Gothic monster action movie, vampires and lycans--an ancient form of werewolf--are at war. While the vampires inhabit a gigantic castle that houses their ancestor's tombs,... In UNDERWORLD, a dark and Gothic monster action movie, vampires and lycans--an ancient form of werewolf--are at war. While the vampires inhabit a gigantic castle that houses their ancestor's tombs, the lycans live underground in a dilapidated sewer cave. Both teams are equipped with big guns, and they are constantly innovating deadlier bullets to gain advantage over each other. On the vampire side, the leather-clad death agent Selene (Kate Beckinsale) delegates teams of vamps to attack the lycans. But when she discovers that the lycans have kidnapped a human medical student, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), she knows the worst is on its way. Against the orders of her superior, Kraven (Shane Brolly), who is obsessively in love with Selene, she awakens the most powerful vampire of all time, Viktor (Bill Nighy) and prepares for a massive feud against lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen). Director Len Wiseman offers a tough, fast, and gory addition to the horror-fantasy genre with UNDERWORLD. Impressive special effects show the lycans transforming from humans to werewolves, and the lycans' ability to squeeze silver bullets out of their skin is also rudely fascinating. Beckinsale is captivating in the role of the lead vamp, with her leather corset, pouty expressions, and double-fisted pistols perfectly communicating the glam-action mood of the film. [More]
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Danny McBride, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder, Robbie Gee, Sophia Myles, Kevin Grevioux
Director: Len Wiseman
Director: Len Wiseman
Screenwriter: Danny McBride
Producer: Richard S. Wright, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Robert Bernacchi
Composer: Paul Haslinger
Studio: Screen Gems
Reviews for Underworld
Wiseman's look is so good that even were the rest of the film a wash, I'd still recommend it.
It is a sad day when vampires and werewolves need guns and bad fashion to be scary.
A vampire film for the new millennium -- bold, galvanizing and darkly stylish.
After awhile, it's difficult to tell the leather-clad, black-haired good guys from the leather-clad, black-haired bad guys, and when the drama slips into the silly side, things go from dark to dismal.
A noisy, tiresome affair that can't manage one moment of wit or real tension.
Despite the intriguing premise, the filmmakers have chosen to concentrate their attention on gory action rather than characterizations and coherent storytelling.
Rather than a clever horror hybrid, the movie spends most of its energy channeling The Matrix.
A well-conceived, powerful movie, over the top for all the right reasons.
This is a movie so paltry in its characters and shallow in its story that the war seems to exist primarily to provide graphic visuals.
Wiseman, who has an extensive background in art direction, has art directed this film to death.
Its sights are so transparently set on franchisehood that cynical is the only way to feel about it.
[Beckinsale] looks like a 10-year-old girl going trick-or-treating as Trinity from The Matrix.
Characters -- Vampire and Lycan alike -- pose, strut and try to look menacing, but they’re as scary as a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
There's not quite enough muscle to really sink your teeth into, but fans of the Blade-type vampire movies should be pleased.
[An] all-style, little-substance barrage of hand-to-hand combat and gun battles that play like a first-person-shooter video game.
Even though its surface is derivative, Underworld’s version of vampires and werewolves is original
Latest News for Underworld
August 14, 2009:
Beckinsale Returning for Underworld 4? ![]()
Is Kate Beckinsale returning for the fourth installment of "Underworld"? According to Bloody Disgusting's sources, the answer is yes. More...
April 02, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with Bill Nighy
There can be few actors better suited to starring in a film about the golden age of British rock and roll than Bill Nighy. No wonder, then, that he's front and centre as part of... More...
January 21, 2009:
RT Interview: Bill Nighy talks Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
RT travels to New Zealand onto the set of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans to chat to star Bill Nighy about the complexities of fang wearing etiquette, wet, velvet, 'battle' skirt... More...
July 28, 2008:
New Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Stills Released ![]()
The first photos of Rhona Mitra in Underworld action have been released -- and Entertainment Weekly has posted them for your enjoyment. More...
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