Underworld Rise of the Lycans (2009)
Short Review byAubrey Ward:In 2003 a film was released and it was called Underworld. We were introduced to the vampire, Selene (Kate Beckinsale), who sought to exterminate the Lycans. We watched as Selene uncovered secrets from the past. Secrets that would turn the tide in the vampire/lycan war and usher in a new era for both species. One of those closeted skeletons was the tale of a love affair between the Lycan, Lucian, and a woman named Sonja, daughter of a vampire elder.
If you at least saw Underworld then you already know that Rise of The Lycans does not have a completely happy ending. Though Lucian (Michael Sheen) escapes captivity and frees his lycan brethren from slavery Sonja (Rhona Mitra) is sentenced to death by the vampire council, which includes her own father, Viktor (Bill Nighy). But that’s the thing about prequels. Even when you know the end, there are still a lot of things that happened in the beginning that have yet to be discovered.
Rise of the Lycans tells the full story of how the Underworld war started. Like most classic tales this story starts with a birth. The “wolves” were seemingly feral beasts that lived only to slaughter and multiply. The vampires were employed by human nobles to keep the wolves at bay. Any man infected with the wolf virus would become a wolf himself and not be able to become human again unless he was killed. I’m not sure if the virus works on women since only male wolves are featured.
Anyway, a captive wolf in the vampire dungeon gives birth to a child (which either means that there are female wolves or male wolves have the ability to have “pups”). This child is unique because he is able to retain his human form. Viktor kills the mama but spares the child. Viktor believes this unusual specimen will be of use to him and his people. And he’s right. The boy is named Lucian and his blood is used to spawn more like him. These men that can change from human to wolf form at will are dubbed “lycans” and they are used as slave labor to the vampires. The lycans perform manual labor by night and protect their vampire masters as they sleep during the day.
There are many more Underworld history lessons to be learned along with the creation of the lycan race but at the center is the forbidden passion between the Lucian and Sonja. It’s a tale as old as time but no less effective. What really makes the love affair so dangerous is Viktor. I thought he was a jerk in Underworld but in Rise of the Lycans he is a complete lunatic. It seems the only thing to match Viktor’s love of power is his loathing for Lycans and wolves. He claims to love his daughter but shows no hesitation in literally burning her at the stake for mingling with the help.
While I enjoyed the movie and was excited to see familiar characters like Viktor and Lucian and Raze (Kevin Grevioux) I can’t say that there is a lot of originality to the story. It’s the typical “Romeo & Juliet” theme. The lovers meet in secret, they’re eventually found out, the lovers are warned to end their affair or perish, a battle erupts between the factions, and one of the lovers doesn’t survive to ride into the sunset. If you’ve never seen Underworld or Underworld: Evolution then you might not be as enchanted by the plot as the fans are.
However, I say that despite the recycled love theme Rise of the Lycans still has some refreshing treats to offer newbies. There is the love story that romantics should enjoy. While it might not be as intense as Jack and Rose floating in the Arctic on a piece of wreckage the trials that Sonja and Lucian endure to be together is still very intriguing. There’s also the stirring plot involving the emancipation of the Lycans. Lucian’s transformation from Uncle Tom to Harriet Tubman is thrilling and adds even more richness and gravitas to the present day Lucian we see in the previous installments.
The effects are a mishmash of practical effects, CGI, and wirework. The lycans are again a combination of those impressive live action body suits and computer generated effects. Automatic pistols and grenades are non-existent. In this age we have really big swords, crossbows, and harpoons. Those snazzy leather bodysuits take a backseat to chainmail and armor. This episode of Underworld goes totally medieval!
Michael Sheen brings so much fire and passion to Lucian. The man just came off of Frost/Nixon looking as pressed as his leisure suits. What a major transformation he goes through to portray Lucian; long and wild hair, fangs, a medieval doggie collar, and is usually pretty sweaty and grimy from working in the smithy all day long. Lucian is the film’s “chosen one” so a lot rode on Sheen’s shoulders and he carried the burden like a titan. Also returning was Bill Nighy and like Sheen he portrays Viktor just the same as he did in Underworld but there’s more revealed about his character. I got to know more about why he did what he did to the lycans, to Lucian, and Sonja. I got to see how he worked the vampire council and how he ruled his people. Not that I would want to be trapped in an elevator with the elder but I think I got more of an understanding of his inner being. He was basically a bigot. All other races and species were inferior to him and his kind and he made sure all the lower beings never forgot that. It’s tragic that he had the opportunity to usher in a new age but was so afraid of change that he clung to his old beliefs and killed his own child in the process.
Then there’s Sonja. It helped that Rhona Mitra was a near spitting image of Ms. Beckinsale (accent and all). The experience was akin to the introduction of Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequels. We got to see where Princess Leia got her spunk. Though Sonja isn’t a blood ancestor of Selene the similarities are still very present. Both share a love of hanging with the death dealers. Both women hate being saved even when they’re in grave peril. Both women like wearing corsets as accessories. And both Sonja and Selene have the unenviable task of standing up to Viktor as well as the social rules of vampirekind. Mitra embues Sonja with the toughness she displayed in Doomsday and Sonja needs that steely resolve if she’s gonna buck the system and shag the Lycan Messiah.
So there you have it. I enjoyed Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and yes I am really biased about it because I am a fan of the films. Rise of the Lycans is that delicious vampire and werewolf sandwich with that crisp lettuce of reworked folklore and the creamy spread of gnarly effects and smushed together between two slices of organically produced gothic darkness. Those expecting to walk in and watch an intense drama like Revolutionary Road....should go and buy tickets for Revolutionary Road. If you like seeing immortal beasts go at it both on the battlefield and in the sack then press elevator key "U" for Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Theatrical Release:Jan 23, 2009
Starring: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh
