Len Wiseman
Underworld Evolution

We had left them a bit disoriented. The vampires had lost their leader Victor, the lycans had lost the strength of Lucian. Both races, engaged in an endless war destined to last much longer, find themselves having to deal with Marcus, a vampire endowed with extraordinary strength. His goal is to free his brother William to create a ruling race over the world with him. However, the two protagonists Selene and Michael (played by Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman, respectively) want to prevent Marcus from completing his plan.

Compared to the first chapter of the trilogy, this second one definitely distances itself from the vampire/lycan war to focus more on the personal conflicts of the two protagonists, increasingly bound by a romantic connection. But in reality, little or nothing changes on the formal level: once again, director Wiseman chooses competent collaborators and photography, and the final product is undoubtedly impressive. The actual filmic choices are definitely bland, once again tied to the blockbuster. Creating spectacle and making money: this is the filmmaker’s goal, who certainly has no intention of delivering any kind of message with a film that merely exploits its aesthetic side. Within the feature, just as happened with the first Underworld, the absurdities chase each other with a renewed prevalence of blood and dismemberment. Greater importance to action, less to the plot. So many inanities on which the film (does not) stand, embarrassing in development and story.

The beautiful Selene cannot do without her tight suit, Michael has increasingly more biceps and pecs. Everything created to perfection to capture attention. It matters little if the film is pitiable, the important thing is to go see it, spend money, and create a profit, despite the fact that viewers should be reimbursed for the inadequacy of Underworld Evolution.

Definitely inferior to the first (which was already quite dull in itself) Len Wiseman's second feature is a work that allowed Hollywood producers to make a third chapter of the saga. I've promised myself I will watch that too. Will I succeed?