Rating: 
Summary: The vampire-werewolf war gets really confusing
Review: Early on in "Underworld" the main character, the vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale), explains: "I am a Death Dealer, sworn to destroy those known as the Lycans. Our war has waged for centuries, unseen by human eyes. But all that is about to change." I would like to be able to say that this declaration encapsulates the film in a nutshell, but you would need a whole lot of nutshells to account for everything that gets poured into this film by director Len Wiseman and screenwriter Danny McBride (Kevin Grevious, who plays Raze, gets story credit along with these other two). Ironically, given everything that is thrown into the mix of this film, "Widescreen" touts style over substance. Once again I find myself thinking that I would have enjoyed this movie more if it had been in a different language and I was reading it without subtitles. The idea that once upon a time the werewolves were the slaves of the vampires, compelled to watch over their masters when they slept during the day, but that the two groups have been at war for a thousand years is pretty good. Too bad the lead character is a vampire in the film because my sympathies are with the werewolves (lycans unite!). But in addition to the basic fact of the war there are political intrigues and machinations by both sides, interrupted by bloody battles. The war has been going on for a thousand years but we are picking up the story at the point where we have arrived at the next step in the evolution of immortals. These vampires and werewolves are the result of science, and you just know how science likes to put things together to see what wonderful new hybrid they can create. "Underworld" is one of those films were you can have a contest to see how many connections you can make to other films. I would argue that "The Matrix" is the free space in the middle on this one, mainly because that is what immediately comes to mind when Selena makes her entrance in the film, jumping from the tower of a building to land lightly on the ground below. By bringing vampires and werewolves together many viewers will be reminded of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels, which is a bad point of comparison because that only brings the shallow characters of "Underworld" into sharper relief. I hear there is going to be not only a sequel but a prequel to "Underworld," which just underscores in my mind the idea that this we needed to enjoy the war before we get to this pivotal moment when the rules of the game get changed. It takes a while to really understand the vampire politics and I do not know if I have ever seen a "vampire" movie that has so little to do with the world of the humans, especially one that requires so much exposition. At one point the word on this movie was that it was "Romeo & Juliet" with a werewolf and vampire, but although you can see where it could have been, it is not. It is rather amazing given everything that was thrown into this film to find something that was actually left out of the mix.
Rating:
Summary: Eeeeh
Review: If I had been expecting this movie to be anything more than cool to look at... I would have been pissed.
The movie started just as advertised: hot chick in shiney leather with a big gun, adequately bearable, if not vastly erotic.
There are 4 kinds of movies. The first kind having a thorough and well thought out plot. The second consisting of bad cliches and painful dialogue. The third has no plot or any creative elements whatsoever. The 4th, however, is the rarest bird of them all. The 4th kind of movie actually manages to bring the plot backwards, so there is absolutely no hope in ever being entertained. This movie was a 3 1/2
Rating:
Summary: UNDERWORLD
Review: I thought this would be another cheap Blade/Matrix rip off.
It actually stands on it's merit, with another concept.
This is no Blade admitidly and Kate Beckinsale is certanily no Wesley Snipes! But let's face it she gives Carrie Ann Moss a run for her money on the looks department. Besides that she is confident in the action department, with the token twin handguns on display. I like the plot of werewolfs feuding with vampires,
the twist is good for what it's worth.
It's nice to see Bill Nighy as a super villian, escaping type from ghastly Brit comedies like Love Actually.
At the end of the day order a Pizza and drink a couple of Budweisers and enjoy the show!
Rating: 
Summary: Star Crossed With No Bite
Review: Underworld ties together two of horror's most popular mythologies, and tries to put a new spin on what we've come to expect from the genre at the same time. The film is set in the secret nocturnal and supernatural world of vampires and werewolves. These are two groups that have been at war for centuries, vampires are a secret clan of modern aristocratic sophisticates, while werewolves are a cunning gang of street thugs who prowl the city's underside. A romance develops between a female vampire warrior and her sworn enemy. Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is known for her strength and werewolf-hunting prowess. While Michael (Scott Speedman) is a peace-loving human who's recently been bitten by a werewolf, and wants to end the war. First time director Len Wiseman, has made a very stylish and good looking film, that is unfortunately not as good as it could have been. As I said, the film is visually striking with great sets, a cast that tries its best with the material, and some cool stunts and special effects. All of these positives cannot save the story. I had heard the film "borrows" a bit, from films like The Matrix, Blade, and The Crow, but I was unprepared for just how much. A little imitatation is flattering...but it seems as though someone decided to mix successfull elements from the past--and hoped enough of it would work. The "Romeo & Juliet" plotline works only so far and then, falls apart. The DVD features two audio commentaries. The first commentary from Wiseman, writer Danny McBride, and writer-actor Kevin Grevioux is good enough. Despite the film's problems--it's worth your time. Far better for me though, is the second track, given what's good about the movie. The commentary from creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos, visual effects supervisor/executive producer James McQuaide, and sound designer Claude Letessier is far more interesting than the other commentary track. There are 4 making of featurettes. Some of the production information found on these is repeated elsewhere. There's the fairly generic "The Making of Underworld", one on creature effects, stunts, and "sights and sound". Take your pick. Rounding out the disc's bonus material are a few storyboard comparisons, the Finch music video for "Worms of the Earth", from the soundtrack, theatrical trailers, and TV spots. Underworld is worth a look for genre faithfuls who are curious. Too bad its borrowed ingredients overshadow its potential
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Worst Movies I've Ever Seen
Review: My sister rented this a few weeks ago telling me I would really like it, (she had seen it before.) She was definatly wrong. When everyone is not killing each other there is a plot that makes hardly any sense. My dad, who usually likes movies like this wasn't able to sit through it. For the most part it's just a lot of violence with no meaning. I'd never watch it again, and I definatly suggest not to buy it because there are so many other, better, movies out there. Anything is better then this. I really like Kate Beckansile, but I don't know why she would waste her acting abilities in this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Underworld, Underachiever
Review: This movie has a great premise. vampires versus werewolves in an all out war for supremacy. fighting fang and claw... Oh wait they're not, they're using guns and wearing long black coats. sound familiar? The main problem with this movie is that director Len Wiseman has stupidly decided to forget about all the old mystical roots of werewolves and vampires in favour of copying popular action movies like Blade and The Matrix. The performances are adequate enough and the action is watchable, though not very original. the art direction is good and Kate Beckinsale in a catsuit is always worth a look, but it could have been so much better. if you want a more original horror action movie check out Brotherhood of the Wolf or Blade.
Rating: 
Summary: FUN AND DARK
Review: I liked this film. I love vampires and warewolves. Personally, I don't overanalyze horror films, so I don't get bent out of shape when one type resembles another. It won't bring about self-actualization. It's just dark fun. Mike
Rating:
Summary: So what. Big deal.
Review: Kate Beckinsdale is a vampire "death dealer" who just takes it out on lycans (read:werewolves) in this dark gothed out city. When it becomes clear that the wolves are stalking a human for some reason, she defies her annoying,sexually harrassing, vaguely trent reznor looking, vampire boss and investigates on her own to find that the wolves are trying to make a vampire/wolf hybrid and royally piss off all the old racist vampire types.
Everything bad you've heard about this film is true. So is everything good you've heard. It really depends on a) You being able to suspend your disbelief mightily even within well-worn vampiric film conventions b) being able to put up with exceptionally crappy werewolf CG effects and c) getting past some of the worst acting in a modern hollywood release recently, including the normally charming Kate Beckinsdale in the lead role, who just looks bored and faintly embarrassed to be reading these lines. Really though, we've seen much worse crap than this in horror/action crossovers and despite the above-listed major problems, there are some genuinely fun moments, to laugh at if nothing else. I thought it was hysterical that thrown out as an afterthought at one point, it is mentioned that vampires don't really drink from humans anymore but subsist on artifical plasma. Not that the factoid advances the plot in any way, but I'm sure some exec hand wrote it in there because how else are you gonna make a crowd sympathetic to a man-killing female vampire? "Underworld" won't start any new players to White Wolf's "World of Darkness" RPG's (of which this has been accused rightly I believe of ripping off) but it's not gonna make you despise it either. It actually gave me some hope. See, it made some halfway decent money apparently. Perhaps now with more money spent on actors, CG, and script, a sequel set in this world could turn out to be quite entertaining. So, I'm a relentless optimist when it comes to vampires, so sue me.
Rating:
Summary: Striking but Confusing
Review: At least this movie looks great--although at times it's so darkly lit I couldn't see what was happening. It moves fast and sometimes it's hard to follow but for about 2 hours, it's worth the look. One curious note: although Kate Beckkinsale is a vampire, you'd never know it. She's just like some edgy, model-looking dame who occasionally jumps off a l5th floor balcony. I wanted more monster transformations, a la Howling. She's surly, moody and doesn't have much charisma. The hero is a real babe!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing romance
Review: This movie has been described as an action romance loosely based on "Romeo and Juliet" by reviewers who either don't care about the actual content of the movie or haven't spent the money to see it. For those expecting a love story, look somewhere else. "Underworld" does indeed translate the background of Shakespeare's tragedy into sci-fi terms: the feuding Montagues and Capulets have become vampire and werewolf clans, and Romeo and Juliet themselves are supernatural killing machines. The difference between the 14th century Italian and 21st century gothic tales is that "Underworld" is composed of characters too tough and serious to ever express love. If Selene (vampire) and Michael (werewolf) are hiding their emotions, they are doing so in a manner too subtle to catch my attention. Luckily, numerous dialogues between Selene and her vampire kin have been placed to fill in the blanks as to her apparent affections, since the entire cast has caught on to what viewers will miss. By the time they make physical contact - an unexpected scene lasting under a minute - this element of the movie is no longer surprising or interesting. These characters have no chemistry together, and the supposed romance is hardly mentioned again in leu of more threatening problems. For those of you who loved the style and swiftness of this movie but wanted more affection, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. "Underworld" ends with an obvious sequel offering, and the buzz is that this movie will again find inspiration in Shakespeare. Although the plot remains a mystery, "Underworld 2: The Masquerade Apocalypse" is expected to boast further historical depth into the warring vampire and werewolf clans as well as loosely mimic "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
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