Underworld: Blood Wars
Directed by Anna Foerster
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver, Charles Dance
Review by Jordan
There is a special kind of pleasure reserved for Underworld devotees, who take comfort from the reassurance that although times change, Selene doesn’t. Each entry has been fashioned from the same fetishistic design, with slight variances recognizable when the gaze is allowed to drift from Beckinsale and onto the overall design. The post-Matrix action of the 2003 original gave way to the sleeker, sexier Evolution, which was belatedly followed in 2012 after a non-cannon prequel by Awakening: a swift, simpler movie that ignited promise for the future of the Vampire/Lycan war.
Underworld: Blood Wars, with its dearth of satisfying set-pieces and glut of exposition, is for those already won over by the series’ styling and absurdly convoluted lore. Indeed, those using the fifth instalment as an introductory point will be about as lost as Selene’s hybrid daughter Eve or Michael post-imprisonment. The plot here further involves treachery, betrayal and historical references to past Vampire elders and their continued bloodlines, as both factions search for Selene in the belief that she is the key to render their side victorious. The former Death-Dealer’s only trusted allies remain the influential Thomas (Charles Dance) and his son David (Theo James), with a lust for power threatening to destabilize the Vampires once more as the Lycans go on the offensive, lead by the hulking Marius.
A bridging entry that unfortunately borders on tedium for long stretches, Blood Wars maintains a serious tone we’ve come to expect but fails to provide adequate payoff for its stern demeanour. Every conversation is explanatory, and each battle is rushed an unimaginative, with the only constant source of guilty pleasure entertainment coming from the increasingly immortal beauty, who this time around feels the icy sting of death and returns from the experience with a cool new hairstyle. With the powerful, more fearsome villains in Marcus and Viktor dispatched previously, the threat here is left wanting of menace also. Marius is wholly uncharismatic, and although he demands the contrary, it appears very much like he is in fact leading another band of slaves, and the conniving Semira (Lara Pulver), although offering more and looking the part of a villainess, never seems strong enough to influence the greater story.
It seems highly likely that the vast majority of it’s audience will be those who know what to expect, and are willing to suffer its flaws for another chance to see Selene question her allegiances and discover more about her past, but for everyone else, Underworld: Blood Wars will be an utterly confusing experience with far fewer pleasures to bask in. Consider it a good warm-up to Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
You had me at this -“There is a special kind of pleasure reserved for Underworld ” – I’m one of those who will always watch one of these franchise pieces … over and over and over … guilty pleasure even if not critically appealing to me. Thanks Mates – Noel T.
Hey mate, I’m the same. This and Resident Evil will win me over every time, even if it is at the expense of my credibility…
Jordan
Guilty pleasures win out over credibility on certain occasions … I think this counts as one of them 🙂
Yep….must watch for me anyway. Have seen them all, and the chance to see Kate Beckinsale again in the role she was made for, is enough to have me see it anyway (even if the movie might not be too great 😀) As for Resident Evil: pretty much the same story, will watch all of those (even if they make 200 more sequels, although that might be overdoing things 😂😂)
Oh, this was definitely a must watch for me too – was pumped to see it and very glad I did! Of course, it just could have been better ha.
And, I’d be quite happy with 200 resident evils – think ed dislikes how many articles I include that series in.
Jordan
Haha lol 😂
I liked Underworld and Underworld Evolution even better, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch this one (I thought Evolution wrapped up the story nicely).
I used to watch those two quite a bit.. I’d still suggest watching this to revisit the characters but it really doesn’t compare.
Jordan
dam I wanted to see this one. Thanks for the heads up. Nice review.
Still see it! Won’t be too many chances to see Selene in action again.
Jordan