Underworld

Posted by Tanos on Sat 20 Sep 03, 2:30 PM

We went to see Underworld last night, and I was both impressed and disappointed. Werewolves vs Vampires shot in a Gothic style as a underground war that's gone on for centuries. On the face of it, what's not to like?

All the pieces are there: it looks stunning, the costumes set off the different groups really well, the action (and wire work in particular) is all set up for a post-Matrix Guns n' Kung-Fu movie (with a stuntman as one of the writers, even), and there are some great new takes on both Werewolf and Vampire legends, leading to a connection betweent the two.

But the execution of it got lost somewhere, and that's probably due to the low budget (about $20 million, which isn't obvious at all in the look of the film though.) The pieces are great, there's just not put together quite right.

Things that stand out: Bill Nighy as an elder vampire being slowly revived after hundreds of years, his flesh visibly rejuvenating over several scenes; the (underused) High Gothic house guests sat about looking wonderfully decadent; Kate Beckinsale and the other werewolf hunters wearing a more Industrial Gothic look and doing most of the work; a warehouse full of marginalised, scruffy, on-the-run werewolves having a bare knuckles (bare claws??) fight amongst themselves, with a nod towards "Fight Club"; a steam train full of clearly different vampires from a different coven; and the clever pairing-down of the legends to come up with a plausible set of werewolf and vampire features (so nothing special about crucifixes and mirrors, but silver and sunlight still have their usual effect.)

In my view, worth seeing if you like any of the above, (and a treat in places for a closet neo-Victorian like me) but still a missed opportunity.

For more, see http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/underworld/ and http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Underworld-11256...

Edited Tue 22 Jan 08, 11:47 PM by Tanos