Len Wiseman
Underworld

THE REVIEW

Take overused subjects like vampires and werewolves. Add a bit of horror here and there, tons of action, and you get Underworld, an anonymous film by Len Wiseman from 2003.

From the plot, you already get the feeling that the director is trying to mock us: the vampires, aristocratic and luxury-loving, are in a perpetual battle against the lycans, who are attempting to unite the two different races to create a half-and-half being of unlimited power. In the vampire house, the only one interested in a situation that seems to have gotten out of control is Selene (Kate Beckinsale), who tries to open the eyes of the current "head" of the dark, Kraven (Shane Brolly). Meanwhile, the werewolves have tracked down Michael (Scott Speedman), a being with pure blood capable of mixing the two races.

The story evolves in every single scene, in every twist of the film. Two hours in which Wiseman (also the screenwriter) gradually reveals to us all the backstories that have led to the eternal conflict.

In Underworld, we find a remarkable photographic cleanliness, good action scenes, but nothing more. It now seems almost impossible to make films without featuring aerial shootings with triple somersaults, tucks, and pikes. Scattered absurdities here and there that really make you feel exasperated, which together with the actors’ insufficient performances, result in a mediocre film. Take Beckinsale. Everyone knows she's attractive, and we can understand that the director (who would later marry her) wants to highlight her physique with tight suits. However, it's baffling how an actress can maintain the same facial expression for two hours, a bit scowly and a bit tough.

Underworld is the typical film that I unfortunately believe will dominate in the future (a trend that has already been underway for some time). Films that have in their characters considerable appeal to young people, who, when they hear about vampires and nonsense of the genre, rush to the cinema. This is why, despite the film being quite destroyed by critics, it had two sequels thanks to the success of this first chapter.

Stay away unless you want two hours of entertainment with flips, dialogues worthy of the worst Totti, heads falling diagonally, and other ridiculousness of this kind.