With the third film RISE OF THE LYCANS about to hit theaters its a no brainer that Sony would put out a special Double Feature DVD that includes the first two films in the UNDERWORLD series, UNDERWORLD and UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION. The first two films had some pretty decent star power behind them with Kate Beckinsale in the lead role of the vampire Selene who is known as a death dealer and Scott Speedman as Michael Corvin a human who has the power of both vampire and lycan. Many however do not realize that UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION is actually the last of the films, and that the new film; RISE OF THE LYCANS is actually a prequel is set during the Dark Ages when Lucian, as a young werewolf, rallies the Lycans to rise against Viktor the leader of the vampires. thus, this is the reason why Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman won’t be returning because it is before there characters time. But hey, at least you have this great DVD which can relive the first films for a reference when you go and see the third film.
I’m not going to go crazy writing a review for each film because you can easily go to my archives page and read my brief review for the first film that I wrote a long time ago, as well as a more detailed review of UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION. I always found the second film to be better than the first. Mainly because it’s more action packed and the story is developed better. But this review is more about the overall DVD than it is the films themselves. So if you want my opinions on the films I have reviews up for both of them on the archive pages.
For those of you who are new to the UNDERWORLD universe, the films are very well done. They are pretty much a vampire vs. werewolf (or Lycans as they are called) films that are set in an urban gothic like environment where there has been a war between the two species that’s been going on for hundreds of years. Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is a death dealer who goes around eliminating anyone that her vampire father tells her too as well as killing off as many Lycans as she can. However she meets a human named Michael Corvin ( Scott Speedman) whom is a hybrid of both species, but does not yet know he is. He can turn with the light of the moon, but rarely knows what has happened. When the Lycans seek him out, Selene goes on the hunt for him as well. However Selene and Michael fall in love with one another and a forbidden love feud is born between the Vampires and Lycans. Now in order to keep their relationship and their love for each other, they must try to make things right between the two races or die trying.
The DVD set has the unrated version of UNDERWORLD on DVD with special features which include the unrated extended cut of the film. Director and Cast Commentary, Fangs vs. Fiction Documentary and Outtakes. The Second disc includes the rated R version of
UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION and includes special features such as Atreyu Music Video, Six Featurettes and Director and Cast Commentary. The set also includes E-movie cash up to ten dollars toward seeing UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS in theaters.
Overall, this Double Feature DVD set of the first two UNDERWORLD film is pretty neat. I think for fans of the films this is a must buy for your DVD collection and the fact that you get a ticket to see the prequel is a pretty good deal. Its a disc set that will help everyone freshen up on the first two films before they go and see the third in theaters. For fans of vampire and werewolf films who have never seen the UNDERWORLD movies this is a must buy. You won’t be disappointed by the first two films in the series. It’s an action packed group of films that are well worth checking out.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
