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Reviews Counted:74
Fresh:24
Rotten:50
Average Rating:4.4/10
Consensus: Despite the best efforts of its competent cast, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is an indistinguishable and unnecessary prequel.
Theatrical Release:23-01-2009
Synopsis: The third film in the UNDERWORLD saga goes back hundreds of years to explain the origins of the feud between the vampire Death Dealers and the werewolf Lycans. Taking over directing duties from Len... [More]
Starring: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Compared to its sister films, the storytelling is stellar, remarkable not because there's a whole lot going on -- in fact, you'll likely leave the theater thinking, "That's it?" -- but because what little does happen makes sense.
And this time there aren't even any leather pants.
The movie isn't without its entertainment value -- of the sillier kind, which in the cases of Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy may be intentional.
The prequel is what's left when the shallow pleasures of the first two films have been boiled away, leaving only their worst elements behind.
even if you weren't a fan of the other two films, as a standalone film it's a pretty fun action movie and worth checking out.
I have to say that I did enjoy seeing Tony Blair/David Frost/Michael Sheen strutting around in an action film. The incongruity was most enjoyable.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is so dark at all times and so generally dull to boot that the biggest fight of all is the viewer's struggle to stay awake.
It is not necessary to have seen the first two Underworld films to fully enjoy the third. It might be helpful, however, to first see a bartender.
The storyline essentially replicates that of Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, meaning that if you've seen one or both of them, there's no compelling reason to spend your hard earned dollars on the third.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is as unnecessary as it is uninvolving. Only fans desperate to learn how the whole vampire-werewolf conflict began are likely to get anything out of this viewing experience.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is surprisingly campy fun, mostly succeeding through the power of its lead performances.
The picture is really missing that vampiric bite that it should have.
Silly, convoluted supernatural prequel is partially redeemed by its Goth style and reputable lead actors.
Unlike Mr. Nighy, who puts an amusing camp spin on his every line and gesture, Mr. Sheen appears to have taken his monster duties seriously.
Top CriticThe third film in Screen Gems' grimly competent, vampires-versus-wolves franchise.
Top CriticRound 3 in the vampire-werewolf battle to the undeath rises to the occasion.
Top CriticSheen and Nighy do their best with the material, but this is easily the worst Underworld so far.
Director Patrick Tatopoulos was responsible for the creature effects in the two earlier installments, but he's not great at staging fights or directing actors.
Lycans, helmed by longtime creature-designer and first-time director Patrick Tatopoulos, just repeats the tale again at feature length.
swords clang, three-pronged arrows whoosh, and blood spurts with the same insouciant ennui that pervades the film as a whole.
May 11, 2009:
RT on DVD: Taken Exclusive; Underworld 3, Trek Blu-ray Set!
This week on DVD, Liam Neeson (you know, the veteran Irish actor who your grandmother thinks looks nice) opens a can of whoop ass on unsuspecting kidnappers, much to our delight... More...
January 23, 2009:
Len Wiseman Talks Underworld's Future 
Now that "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is in theaters, it seems appropriate to ask about the future of the franchise -- a subject that Len Wiseman was happy to discuss with... More...
January 22, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Inkheart Is Less Than Magical
This week at the movies, we've got living literature (Inkheart, starring Brendan Fraser and Eliza Hope Bennett); political intrigue (Frost/Nixon, starring Michael Sheen and... More...
January 22, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: Underworld Battles Oscar All-Stars
Only two new releases hit the North American box office, but in the wake of Academy Award nominations, a handful of contenders take the opportunity to expand nationwide hoping... More...
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