REVIEW: UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING

So this is the AVP/AVP:R of the series... bummer.

Bummer indeed.

I am going to be the odd man out and say that i geuninely enjoyed it. Plenty of action and surprising gore.

Agreed that the effects aren't very good and i notice Kate is looking a little weary in this one though.

I enjoyed it.  If I had to rank the films.......................1, 3, 4, 2.

Nearly unwatchable at points, especially when the Big Bad Wolf appears.  This series is so violently unimaginative - corridor firefights between vampires, werewolves and humans! - and, without the only two actors who were ever actually good in them (Nighy and Sheen), the whole thing feels like an exercise in making the audience want to fall asleep.

The direction isn't as sleepy as the last one, but it's still a chore to watch and not especially easy on the eyes.  Even Kate Beckinsale is getting kind of boring to watch in these films, I'm sorry to say.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.D. Bob Plissken 

I enjoyed it.  If I had to rank the films.......................1, 3, 4, 2.

I would honestly rank them 1, 2, 3, 4. 

Went from campy with shitty effects (but a semi-coherent story) to tons of CGI in an unimaginative clusterfuck by the end. 

Holy shit, there really has been four of these fucking movies, hasn't there?  

Yep, and the ending of this one leaves plenty of room for another.

Although, given that Scott Speedman didn't reprise his role as Michael and a sequel would have to make him a semi-prominent character (Selene vows to find him near the end), I have no idea what kind of shortcuts they're going to use unless a) Speedman returns or b) they recast the role.  They also have a future sequel-carrier in Eve, but if anyone truly has an interest in more of these films at that point, I'd be surprised (it made twice its reported budget back worldwide, so I guess people still have an interest.  Who the fuck knows.)

If Speedman wants to be taken seriously as an actor, and I believe he does, then he won't bother with this shit again. Beckinsale is not an untalented woman, but she's more or less hit her expiration date in terms of relevance.

I agree about Speedman, but the last semi-notable film I can recall seeing him in was Barney's Version (where he was very good).  I believe he's in that upcoming film with Channing Tatum, The Vow, too.

Knowing that Speedman declined to return to the franchise, I wonder why they bothered to leave the ending wide open for more of Michael.  Are they going to use the CG/keep him in the distance shortcuts next time, or will they recast the role with an actor who is willing to do these kinds of films?  Honestly, they should have just saved themselves the trouble and killed the guy off in some fashion at the end of the film (or at least established that, while Selene was down, he was killed).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybris 

I would honestly rank them 1, 2, 3, 4. 

 

Went from campy with shitty effects (but a semi-coherent story) to tons of CGI in an unimaginative clusterfuck by the end. 

The second one drags too much in the middle (ESPECIALLY during the Derek Jacobi scenes), which dampens my mindless entertainment!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco Senior 

Although, given that Scott Speedman didn't reprise his role as Michael and a sequel would have to make him a semi-prominent character (Selene vows to find him near the end), I have no idea what kind of shortcuts they're going to use unless a) Speedman returns or b) they recast the role.  They also have a future sequel-carrier in Eve, but if anyone truly has an interest in more of these films at that point, I'd be surprised (it made twice its reported budget back worldwide, so I guess people still have an interest.  Who the fuck knows.)

Speedman will be back because they'll offer him co-lead and give him a decent paycheck.  Plus he's buddy buddy with Wiseman & Co.  Underworld 5 is probably a guarantee at this point...............and I won't be surprised if they make good on those TV show rumblings in the near future as well, for better or worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacknifeJohnny 

Beckinsale is not an untalented woman, but she's more or less hit her expiration date in terms of relevance.

She's about 3 steps away from ending up in Milla "my films that my husband doesn't direct go DTV" Jovovich land.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco Senior 

Knowing that Speedman declined to return to the franchise, I wonder why they bothered to leave the ending wide open for more of Michael.  Are they going to use the CG/keep him in the distance shortcuts next time, or will they recast the role with an actor who is willing to do these kinds of films?  Honestly, they should have just saved themselves the trouble and killed the guy off in some fashion at the end of the film (or at least established that, while Selene was down, he was killed).

According to Wiseman, Speedman declined to return because Michael's role in this one was miniscule..................but he is fully willing to come back for the next one.  Also, apparently Bill Nighy has called Len up and begged him to find a way to resurrect his character.

Well, the second one at least had that Beckinsale/Speedman nude scene. I was replaying that over and over again.

I am a Beckinsale fan. She's no Naomi Watts. But her looks are great and Beckinsale gives a decent performance in most of the stuff she's in (Anyone seen SHOOTING FISH?)