I honestly did not wish to see more of this franchise, and yet upon each release, I feel as though I was compelled to watch them. It was almost a sense of responsibility, maybe I should watch them so I can warn people not to, or perhaps I could somehow end up being pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, I have never been proven wrong by the Underworld franchise, and that did not change with Underworld Awakening.
How to Download Underworld: Awakening
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. Check out also the previous entries in the series: Underworld (2003), Underworld: Evolution (2006), and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009).
The Movie Review
In a world already overly saturated by action horror, 2012 did not need another Underworld film, and yet it got one. Underworld Awakening follows Selene, a vampire warrior who awakens from a 12-year coma to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of Vampires and Lycan and are determined to eradicate both species.
As she navigates this new world, Selene discovers that she has a daughter, Eve, who is half-vampire, half-Lycan, and is being hunted by both sides. Selene must protect her daughter while also fighting to survive in a world that has turned against her kind.
While Selene remains a compelling and formidable protagonist, the supporting characters are largely forgettable and underdeveloped. The film fails to explore the motivations and backstories of these characters, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and uninteresting.
Additionally, the plot of Underworld Awakening feels like a retread of earlier installments in the series. The concept of humans discovering the existence of vampires and Lycans has been explored before, and the film fails to bring anything new or fresh to the table. The conflict between the two species feels stale and unexciting, lacking the tension and complexity that other films in the genre have achieved.
As the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise, this movie brings its gothic visual aesthetic and supernatural themes to the forefront. While the film’s story is compelling, it lacks originality and depth.
The writing is fairly standard for the action-horror genre, focusing on the film’s stylized action sequences rather than character development or narrative depth. The action choreography is well-executed, but it lacks the inventiveness of earlier installments. The direction is competent, with a good eye for the gothic visual aesthetic and stylized action sequences.
Kate Beckinsale delivers an impressive performance as Selene, bringing the same level of intensity and charisma to the role that she has in previous films. However, the rest of the cast is largely forgettable, and the plot feels formulaic and predictable.
Stephen Rea does try to do his best as the villainous scientist, but I did not enjoy the overall rest of the remaining cast here. Theo James, Michael Ealy, Charles Dance, and India Eisley are all terrific actors, but here they can’t really do much with the writing quality being that bland.
The CGI in the film is generally well-executed, with the Lycan and Vampires looking suitably menacing and realistic. The action sequences are filled with fast-paced, high-energy moments that showcase the capabilities of both species, and they’re gory enough to be fun.
The film’s climactic battle between Selene and a super Lycan is a highlight, with the two combatants trading blows in a dynamic fight that takes place in a dimly lit underground laboratory. However, there are a few moments where the CGI looks noticeably artificial, such as in the scenes where the Lycan transform from human to wolf form. These moments are jarring and take the immersion out of the film’s world.
The Music
The score, composed by Paul Haslinger, is a combination of gritty rock and haunting electronic music, which matches the film’s gothic tone. However, it misses the mark when it comes to creating memorable themes and motifs that linger long after the movie has ended.
While the soundtrack aptly complements the film’s high-octane action sequences, it falls short of delivering an emotional impact that could have elevated the movie to another level.
Verdict
At the end of the day, this is just another one of those Underworld films. There is no outstanding quality here, no originality, it brings nothing new to the table aside from a few shots and sequences. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from them, tons of good CGI, great action, and Kate Beckinsale doing backflips and jumps all over a semi-gothic modernist world. However, in terms of depth, it’s got none. No character depth, no narrative depth, and little to no point of existing.
