The battle between the Vampires and Werewolves continues in Underworld:
Evolution as the sequel opens in 1202, where a legion of vampire warriors comes
upon a village that has been decimated by the werewolves--known as Lycans. The
vampires, led by master vampires Vicktor (Bill Nighy) and Marcus (Tony Curran), are
searching for Marcus’ brother William, who--as the original werewolf--is
responsible for the Lycan outbreak all over Europe. The vampires proceed to burn
the bodies of the victims of the werewolves before they can turn, but it’s
already too late. The dead rise up as full-furred werewolves who slaughter the
vampire troops. Despite this, William is captured and--much to Marcus’
chagrin--imprisoned for all time.
Jumping ahead to the present day, we pick up where we left off with the sultry
vampire warrior Selene (once again played to cold-hearted perfection by Kate
Beckinsale) and her new partner in crime Michael (Scott Speedman), who find
themselves hunted after their major battle with Vicktor at the end of the first
film. Selene hopes to awaken Marcus, the last surviving vampire master, and
plead her case before him. However, Marcus has already awakened, and he has an
agenda of his own, resulting in him laying waste to Kraven and his forces. He
plans to do the same to Selene, whom he suspects is hiding a long-held secret.
Meanwhile, a mysterious group, led by an even more mysterious man (Derek Jacobi)
aboard a tricked-out ship are intently tracking the whereabouts of Selene,
Michael and Marcus.
Underworld: Evolution offers more of the same fun of the first film, Underworld.
Director Len Wiseman keeps the action moving at a brisk pace, and Scott
Speedman--whose character seemed like excess baggage in the first film--is
given more to do here as his vampire/werewolf hybrid powers come into full bloom.
Kate Beckinsale is superb once again. She is to the Underworld movies what
Angelina Jolie is to the Tomb Raider films: a vibrant and interesting lead who
holds your interest whenever she’s on screen (plus her skin-tight outfit doesn’t
hurt, either). The DVD extras include a slew of "making of" features that are
nothing more than the usual cream puff publicity filler. The real fun is the
audio commentary by Wiseman and several of his fellow filmmakers, especially
Wiseman’s comments about how he directed Beckinsale--his wife--during her
lovemaking scene with Speedman. Fans of the original Underworld should enjoy
this continuation of the adventures of Selene.
--SF
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