Rating: Summary: Spiffy effects, but boring movie Review: Not much originality in this film. Mostly it tries to emulate the look, feel, sound, and mood of some better films ("The Matrix", "The Crow", etc).Special effects are very good, but even that can't save a dull script and the slow pacing. There's an old maxim in the theatre that goes, "If it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage." If the script isn't compelling to read, no amount of spiffy set dressing, effects, etc will elevate it to a higher level. Same here with "Underworld". It looks good, but the script anchors it down to sub-par level. A friend loaned me this DVD to watch, so at least I didn't have to shell out any $$ for this.
Rating: Summary: Underworld Is One Of The Worst EVER!!! Review: I bought this movie last night, BIG MISTAKE, I had never seen it but i read the online reviews and it seemed to get good reviews so i decided to get it. I only gave this movie one star because i had too, It was some of the worst acting i have ever seen, The Werewolves looked stupid/retarted. Kate Beckinsale was the only good thing about this movie and not because of her acting. If you havent seen this bore dont waste the time or your money like i did. Overall I can sum this movie up in one word.....SUCKED!!!!
Rating: Summary: Vampires Can't Shoot Review: Underworld is a stylish, gory, action filled horror movie, based on three premises. The first is Vampires vs. Werewolves--an intriguing idea. The second is that the audience has been raised on videogames and wants that kind of constant action--debatable as to whether this is helpful or not, but it sure keeps the movie going so you don't really have time to think. The third, and most unfortunate, is that The Matrix is ripe for plucking. I admit to enjoying Underworld quite a bit, but the entire look of the movie (except, of course, the Werewolf transformations, which were inspired by The Howling) was hauntingly familiar--it's all Matrix, from the costuming to the choreography, the cinematography, the lighting....superbly done, but blatantly stolen. And with costuming and set design, I suppose that's forgivable, but relying on Matrix for more than that derailed the initial premise too much. Within the first ten minutes I asked myself a question I'd return to over and over: "Why are vampires and werewolves in human form shooting at each other--and missing?" I really wasn't expecting so much gunplay (and martial arts) in a Vampire/Werewolf movie, and I think the film was the worse for it. We've seen it all before, it advanced the plot not at all, and seemed grossly out of place for the genre. The real interest in Vampires vs. Werewolves would be how they physically matched up--and when the film did develop this, it was really unique, with Vampires more agile but incapable of flight or shapeshifting, and Werewolves slower but vastly more powerful. I personally had no interest in who could outshoot the other, and couldn't quite understand why that played such a huge part in the film. Furthermore, another unfortunate question popped up: "How do those guns contain a seemingly infinite number of bullets?" {See premise 2, above--only once in the movie did someone run out of bullets, only a few times was there reloading, but billions and billions of bullets, and lots and lots of missing...this was dumb as far back as Rambo.} Plotwise, though, the Vampires vs. Werewolves idea worked well, and was developed in an interesting and unexpected fashion. Acting was quite good, with a touch of overacting to be expected from such a topic, and the casting excellent. Kate Beckinsale, as Trinity, er, no sorry, as the vampire Selene, and Scott Speedman as Neo, oops, I mean Michael, are both gorgeous and convincing. I was taken aback a bit by Beckinsale's resemblance to Michael Jackson at his most feminine, though... Anyway, in spite of its flaws, it's certainly entertaining and worth watching, at least once.
Rating: Summary: Evil VS. Evil Review: This was an great story and it was backed with special Effects that was not over played. The thing that made this movie stand from The Matrix was the special effects accaully. This movie was not over played with two hours of bullet time or panscan (the effects where the fighters jump up and freeze in the action) fight sequences. There was alot of slow motion fights though(not the same as panscan).The story line drove this movie quite nicely. The story line is not good vs. evil but evil vs. evil. This movie was filled with alot of curve balls but some parts where predictable also. This was still an entertaining movie and one of the best films,in my opinion, of 2003. The start of the movie starts with in your face action which pulled me in from the start. The action is great and only stops for a little bit to make the story line cohesive. The special effects of the transformation of the wherewolves where well done and not over blown. The vampires did not have much to change but I felt that it was good enough for the feel of the movie. In Short: This is a film for more of the "Goth Thriller Action" fans. I loved it and thought it to be pretty original in its own right. People who may enjoy this movie: People who like The Crow, Blade, Spawn (Todd McFarland), and maybe some Matrix fans.
Rating: Summary: Just a great flick Review: I have always been a Vampire lover since I was kid watching creature feature. Loved the Werewolves also. I was so looking forward to seeing this that I just knew I would be let down. Not! My wife thought it was silly to rent this and she was miss skeptical going in. We were both rivoted from the start. Don't get a snack or you may miss something! This is a cult movie in the making. I am so criticle on movies, some of my friends think I just I just don't like them. Well, I normally don't. But I just loved this. I love movies that keep you thinking, that have strange twists and that are not predictable. I thought the story was great, acting was good, special effects good, and the ending awesome. I don't buy many DVD's unless they are for the kids, but this one I will buy. I can't wait for part 2 and yes, it will be one I actually go the theater to see. For me, that is saying something. I mentioned loving the old creature feature flicks when I was a kid, this is not at all in that fashion. My kids were sleeping while we were watching this and I wanted my 4 year old son to be able to see this later. No way. Has some horrific scenes that would cause nightmares for months. Probably need to be 10 and up. To sum it up, if you are a Vampire-Werewolf lover, this is the best flick in the last 30 years. Get it!
Rating: Summary: A Pretty Good Flic Review: I'm really torn about how to reccomend this movie. On one hand, it's so derivative of movies like The Crow and The Matrix that at times you aren't sure which one you're watching. On the other hand it's a very entertaining movie to watch and very nicely done all around.
Rating: Summary: HIGH-STYLE MATRIX LIKE ACTION!!! Review: Welcome to the Underworld where vampires and werewolves are at war. The war started because the cheif vampire Victor killed his own daughter because she was in love with a werewolf. The werewolf that she was in love with is Lucian the cheif werewolf now. He plans to destroy the vampires. And now a vampire named Selena is in love with a werewolf. She will stop at nothing to save him. She also realizes that since she is in love with a werewolf that she can't be accepted by the other vampires. Who will conquer. The Vampires or The Werewolves. I just finished watching the movie. It has this whole dark and gothic-like state to it. And it has some very good special features. Go on ahead and buy it. If you are ready to enter the.........UNDERWORLD!!!
Rating: Summary: If you like Vampire movies, this is a A+ Review: I think this is an excellent movie to watch. It brings two evil creatures together in one action packed movie. A bit different than other vampire movies , but it will keep you curious about what is going to happen next throughout the entire movie.
Rating: Summary: You Need This DVD!!!! Review: I've been a fan of comic book heroes and herorines since I was old enough to read and Kate Beckinsale's character was the classic comic book heroine. I don't mean that in a demeaning way. I rate her character right along side that of Ellen Ripley "Alien(s)" etc, and that is high praise for a first outing in strong action heroes. Ms Beckinsale is strong, sexy, smart and wow, what an outfit. She also give a classic style gothic character portrayal of a woman not to be babied or toyed with. The concept was fresh also. In a world of two evil titans I felt sorry for the Lycans and the end sequence gave a grim situation a spark of hope as well as a great setup for a sequel. Speedman was an incredible portrait of a combination Lycan/Vampire that was powerful, sleek and handsome. The special effects and makeup departments worked over-time on this one and it showed. Instead of a lot of CGI creatures, I was very excited by the return to the human influence in the creatures. The suits and animatronics added a 3-D effect that sold me on this movie. This just might be the best of this type movie that I have ever seen. As good a Spiderman, better than the "Hulk". Destined to become a cult classic!!! Get your copy now!
Rating: Summary: The Bloods and the Hounds Review: I really wanted to like this movie and had hope after the exciting opening scenes, but eventually I found all the betrayals and double-crosses a bit trying. Usually I'm complaining because of threadbare plots in most action movies, but UNDERWORLD may have actually tried to put too much plot in. Kate Beckinsdale's character should have had much more screen time--or at least more character development. A lot of cool special effects so early on made the film peak too soon and the middle section sags with hardly a werewolf transformation to be seen. (A friend showed up after I'd watched the first 20 minutes or so and sat down to see a werewolf--then said "Finally!" when one happened near the end). Although the film was marketed as a "Romeo and Juliet" type of love story, that aspect barely exists as you watch it. When the Vampire girl kisses the human guy, you're left wondering, "Where'd that come from?" It's the least developed motivation in the movie when it should've been the first. Since it's always dark and raining, I can throw another movie on the pile that UNDERWORLD looks a little too derivative of: a Goth version of BLADE RUNNER. (Everyone else has already mentioned BLADE, THE MATRIX, etc).
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