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Underworld:
Vampires vs. Werewolves vs. Scott Speedman
Beautiful Imagery almost get you past a plot that moves far too fast for it's intricacy.
 Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen
Director: Len Wiseman
Reviewed by Kevin Cunningham
THE STORY: A vampire huntress stumbles onto a plot of their archenemy werewolves to end their decades long war through a stunning young man who has been bitten, whom the vampire invariably falls for. IN OTHER WORDS: Romeo and Juliet in a world of Vampires and Werewolves gone Matrix.
When it's done right, the Gothic film feel is one of the nicest in cinema. The natural urban evolution of film noir, the dark tones, shaded colors, and inventive use of both shadow and symbols makes it stunning visually. It's a mark often aimed for, but rarely hit. And, visually speaking, Underworld hits it's mark. Unfortunately, it's about the best part of the film, but at least it lasts from the opening moments to the last ones.
It's not that the story is a bad one. It's actually a pretty well developed story with a lot of appeal. The problem is that it's a roller coaster ride with as many twists, turns, betrayals and unexpected changes of character as in a full season of 24, all in two hours. That leads to a story that will sometimes fly right by you, even if you're paying total and complete attention.
The easiest advice to give is to come into this movie knowing it's not Buffy. All those rules are thrown out. There are no magic souls to make vampires good, and they can easily enter human's homes without invites. From there, you're on your own.
It's a good thing this film looks so good, because the acting jobs are very underwhelming. Kate Beckinsale is one of the most classically beautiful women in Hollywood, and her features that made her so wholesome in Pearl Harbor are almost more enhanced by the dark imagery surrounding her. Her job of bringing any sort of passion to her main character is sadly left unfulfilled. Her character is supposed to enjoy the fighting, but never appears to. She also gives no heat to her interest in Speedman's newly bitten werewolf, a bad thing for even the most contrived romance. Speedman, however, is even worse. He looks sorely outmatched in this big budget film, and has the kind of glazed over look in his eyes for the entire film that one had watching Felicity come back without the hair. The supporting cast does little more than them, but they don't quite suck.
This is the directing debut of Len Wiseman, whose past credits listed seem to only be as a prop assistant an art department seem fitting, as more attention has been paid to the art direction of this film than any of the acting. Interestingly enough, he got engaged to Beckinsale in 2003. It might explain some things.
In the end, this film is worth watching if only for the visual appeal, perhaps being the only film to get goth this right visually since Dark City. A sequel and a prequel are reportedly planned, so maybe there's still time to get things perfect. Just don't mess with the mood.
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(2 out of 4 stars)
