Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8169 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-21
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 121 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Underworld is a hybrid thriller that rewrites the rulebook on werewolves and vampires--imagine Blade meets The Crow and The Matrix. It's a "cuisinart" movie--blend a lot of familiar ideas and hope something interesting happens--in which immortal vampire "death dealers" wage an ancient war against "Lycans", who've got centuries of revenge--and some rather ambitious genetic experiments--on their lycanthropic agenda.

Given his preoccupation with gloomy architecture, frenetic mayhem and Gothic costuming, it's no surprise that first-time director Len Wiseman gained experience in TV commercials and the art departments of Godzilla, Men in Black and Independence Day. His work is all surface, no substance, filled with derivative, grand-scale action as conflicted vampire Selene struggles to rescue an ill-fated human from Lycan transformation. It's great looking all the way, and a guaranteed treat for horror buffs, who will eagerly dissect its many strengths and weaknesses. --Jeff Shannon

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, 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.

Customer Reviews

one of the better vampire/werewolf films
This film was sold to me on the basis that it was a vampire film, and I thought 'oh no'. I started to watch it and was delighted to find that it was a werewolf film too. I've always preferred werewolves to vampires - there is something extremely visceral about ripping another person's throat with your teeth, much better than the bite and suck brigade.

It is in fact a vampire verses werewolf film.

At the opening of the film the voice over from Selene says:

"The war had all but ground to a halt, in the blink of an eye. Lucian, the most feared and ruthless leader ever to rule the Lycan clan, had finally been killed. The Lycan horde scattered to the wind in a single evening of flame and retribution. Victory, it seemed, was in our grasp, the very birthright of the vampires. Nearly six centuries had passed since that night, yet the ancient feud proved unwilling to follow Lucian to the grave. Though Lycans were fewer in number, the war itself had become more perilous, for the moon no longer held her sway. Older, more powerful Lycans, were now able to change at will. The weapons had evolved, but our orders remained the same - hunt them down and kill them off, one by one. A most successful campaign. Perhaps too successful. For those like me, a Death Dealer, this signalled the end of an era. Like the weapons of the previous century, we too would become obsolete. Pity, because I lived for it."

Background story:

Centuries ago the vampires decided that the best way for securing the survival of their species was for the three elders - Viktor (Bill Nighy), Marcus (Tony Curran), and Amelia (Zita Gorgo) - to rule on a rota basis. One awake, while two sleep. The memories of the vampire ruler being passed to the waking vampire elder by the taste of their blood.

The war between vampires and lycans (werewolves) began over 1,000 years ago, and the defining moment occurred 600 years ago when during a battle the vampire Kraven (Shane Brolly) killed the lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen) and set a great blaze which scattered the remaining lycans. As proof of his victory Kraven returned with the brand cut from Lucian's arm and was pronounced to be a hero.

Present day:

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is a vampire death dealer, it is her mission to hunt down and destroy the remaining Lycans one by one. At the beginning of the film we see Selene and her team hunting down a small group of lycans. They follow them into the underground train station where she discovers that the lycans are trying to capture a human doctor named Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman). After a battle which foiled plans of the lycans they flee.

Selene follows the escaping lycans and discovers that Lucian, who was supposedly killed by Kraven, is still alive and that the lycans are not running in small groups but have massed for war again.

Returning to the vampire mansion she is seemingly not believed by Kraven (who wants her to be his mate/wife) and decides to find out about this Michael Corvin herself by searching his apartment. They come under attack from Lucian and a group of lycans and Michael is bitten.

Selene becomes more and more desperate to make her fellow vampires believe her. Against the covenant rules and because she has no where else to turn, Selene decides to awaken Viktor (her 'dark father', and the man who saved her from attack by lycans that wiped out her entire family), but things do not go as she thought they would and she is confined to her room to await trial by the vampire council. It is at this point that Erika (Sophia Myles), who wants to be Kraven's mate/wife, helps Selene escape.

As events unfold, the whole truth becomes known and the final battle between lycan and vampire approaches.

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All in all one of the best vampire films I have seen in ages, and a dvd 2 disc set that is full of extras (although many of the outtakes discussed in the commentary seem to be missing). I found this five star viewing.

Nice Doggy
Directed by Len Wiseman, starring Kate Beckinsdale and Scott Speedman and largely filmed in Budapest, "Underworld" hit the big screen in 2003. It's a very stylish `monster' movie, though - a little unusually - humans are neither the heroes nor the victims. (The film doesn't stop for 'lunch').

Beckinsdale plays Selene, our 'heroine' and the 'good' vampire. She's a Death Dealer - a vampire soldier - in a war against werewolves that has lasted for around a thousand years. As time has passed, the weapons used by both races have been updated - there are no stakes or crossbows in sight, while the traditional silver bullet has been modified. The current battles are being waged with throwing stars, guns and grenades - all enhanced to target the specific weaknesses of the intended victim. However, tradition hasn't been entirely sacrificed - vampires are still stylish and pale, while the vampire clan still lives in an old-fashioned, classy mansion. (Like the weapons, however, it does incorporate some 'modern' aspects). Selene very much looks to Viktor for guidance - Viktor is one of the vampires' three elders and something of a father figure to Selene. However, as the film opens, he is in hibernation and the day-to-day running of the vampires' affairs are in Kraven's hands. Kraven, somewhat power-hungry, also has designs on Selene - however, she ins't even remotely interested - she regularly disobeys his instructions and doesn't believe a great deal of what he has to say.

Werewolves have officially been on the defensive for around 600 years, since Kraven killed their greatest leader, Lucien. However, they have never been fully defeated and, from early in the film, it seems the vampires have been lulled into a false sense of security. As well as the updated weapons, werewolves - or lycans, as they're known throughout the film - can now transform at will and no longer have to wait on the full moon. They appear to be in full control of their actions and can also heal more quickly while in wolf form. Where the vampires are pale and stylish, the werewolves are more animal-like and live underground. However, this hasn't stopped them performing 'medical research', with a particular interest in a family called Corvin. As the film opens, a couple of werewolves are stalking Speedman's character, a doctor called Michael Corvin. Selene, who's been on patrol and sees what's happening, is puzzled by this - it's clear the werewolves aren't just hunting for food. Her interest develops much further as the film progresses to the point of romance. This brings her a great deal of trouble when it becomes apparent the werewolves have 'turned' Michael. (It's also brought the comparisons with 'Romeo and Juliet' - a romance between two warring houses). As a result of the romance, she learns a great deal more about the origins of war and the night she was sired by Viktor.

This is a very enjoyable and stylish film, with some very impressive special effects. Although technically, I suppose, it's a 'supernatural' movie, there's a strong thriller element to it, with plenty of gunfights, political intruige, treachery, twists and turns...and if that's not enough, it's also got Kate Beckinsdale !! Absolutely recommended for those who love vampire movies. However, despite the comparisons with 'Romeo and Juliet', I can't really see it convincing your Shakespeare-loving aunt to start watching the Hammer films.

Vampire vs Werewolf
This wasnt well received upon its release and fell in for some unfair cricism, which resulted in an average showing at the box office. Starring Kate Beckinsale, its set in the middle of a vampire-werewolf war that has raged for 1000 years. Made as part of a trilogy, similar in style to the Matrix.

This isnt a bad movie and has developed a cult following. Beckinsale is great in the lead and looks fantastic in PVC. The special effects are good and the film has great style. The action scenes are effective and add to the style of the film.

This is only part 1 of 3, but dont let that put you off, this is a stand alone movie as it is. Very dark but entertaining stuff.