I typically get bored with action vampire films after the first time I watch them. Mainly because after the first viewing I find the second go around to be quite boring. I typically feel this way with the Blade films, Van Helsing, and the first Underworld. However Underworld: Evolution is pretty fresh, and the type of vampire film I would probably watch again.
The story begins right where the first film ended, and in all due respect can be seen not as a sequel but as a continuation of the original film. However I found the script to be a lot more, how should I put it, simple, than the original script. What I mean is that Evolution seemed to get straight to the point, where the first film seemed to try to drag us into the story more. Don’t get me wrong, Evolution does drag you into the story and there are journeys along the way that help drive the plot, but it’s a simple story that you don’t have to read to much into to understand what’s going on. Typically what I enjoyed about this one is it seemed to have a lot more horror elements and gore than the original film did. We also get to see some new vampires and lycans as well, ones that have more of a new look to them.
The acting in this film is pretty decent. Kate Beckinsale as Selene as always, she rules this role with an iron fist and out acts just about everyone in the picture. This is one of those roles she was just born to play. And to my surprise I really enjoyed Scott Speedmen as Michael Corvin, in the first film I was not really into him in this role at all, The scars left by my ex-girlfriends obsession with “Felicity”, made me hate anyone who was on that godforsaken show. However I was able to look past that, and I must say he performed well in this film. Sir Derek Jacobi, the only old guy from Britain not to appear in a Harry Potter film, was also an actor that stood out in this film. He plays the one and only first vampire of the world who is hiding his identity from the rest of the vampire world in order to preserve his name. I liked his small but effective performance as well. The film had an overall great cast, and I felt their performances helped make this film as good as it was.
In terms of special effects, we do get a lot of make-up effects combined with a whole slew of CGI effects, which for the most part did not look all that bad. I was very impressed with the way the Marcus Corvinus vampire character looked, as well as the lycans. I think one of the hardest animals or movie monster for that matter to make look good with CGI has to be the werewolf, most of the time they always look very fake. (Cursed, anyone.) However they were pretty decent looking in this flick.
Overall “Underworld: Evolution” although not the best vampire action film ever made is still worth renting or buying on DVD. It’s a simple story that anyone in their right mind can understand and enjoy. I for one found it to be a good action flick with all the right undertones that a horror fan needs to escape from the true horror films with out actually having to be bored with it. This film in my book makes the grade and is one I’d watch again.
– 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
