Rating: 
Summary: For a change of pace from the Lost in Translation fare:
Review: There are three essential items you should have in order to fully enjoy this movie to the max:1) A big screen TV, preferably widescreen;
2) A powerful surround-sound stereo system; and,
3) A love for horror/action flicks with a desire to sit back and
just relax for a couple of hours. Have these three things, and you will absolutely love this movie. The action scenes are quite intense, and the special effects are really something to behold. Now, when I watched this movie I lacked two of the basic elements to watch this movie properly (I don't have a big, widescreen TV, or a surround sound stereo system) so I know I could not have fully enjoyed this film, because a lot of what went into this film was its effects. Yet, I was hooked by the surprisingly interesting plot to this movie. The concept of mixing vampires and werewolves is one I have never come across before I watched this, so this intrigued me. However, I did not find a whole lot of substance to this movie besides this. The visual and sound effects are still quite good even on a normal TV (like what most of us have), and so I still enjoyed it in other ways. Overall, I recommend this movie for action/special effects enthusiasts. Also, I recommend this movie if you do not like Lost in Translation (I did a review on that, also), it is a huge change of pace from that movie and it will keep you entertained in a way that most people can enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: rent the Matrix instead
Review: This is one of the worse movies I have seen in some time. Gore and moody lighting alone do not make a movie worth seeing. The effects were anything but special. It also completely ripped off the Matrix in sound and visual effects. Poorly, too, I might add. Do not waste your time!
Rating: 
Summary: A great movie for action lovers and wannabe supernaturals
Review: I don't know why people compare this movie to Blade. They are nothing alike and its a heck of alot better. Besides having an incredibly attractive vampire in leather, it also has a pretty good story to it. The graphics are great and the action just keeps going. One of the things that made this movie so good was the time and craftsmanship they spent on the werewolf outfits. Its good to see some real work put into special effects rather than that cheap computer crap that hardly ever looks real. Infact, my only real disapointment was they didn't show more of the werewolves. I can't wait for the sequal.
Rating:
Summary: Didnt expect to love it
Review: I didnt expect to love this film as much as I did, I passed seeing it in the theatre thinking it would be "cheesy" etc...but the story and acting etc was awesome! I even bought the soundtrack (which I sold cause it wasnt as good as the movie). The film has the definite "gothic" tone to it like films like "The Crow" and "Bram Stoker's Dracula". The Atmosphere makes this film what it is an instant classic!
Rating:
Summary: Resident Evil meets The Crow
Review: This is a unique movie, not in terms of gore and blood,but in terms of the subplot. Werewolves vs. vampires is not totally unique, but this is the first movie that features a city full of them, with no human intervention. They control their environment and its like a gang war at a supernatural level. The werewolves are a threat, but there is someone who wants to mix the blood and create a super creature. Can he do it? The movie is not reliant at all on the special effects which, by the way, are top-notch. The story line -- absolute power corrupts absolutely -- is spellbinding enough on its own. The idea of a vampire falling in love wiht one of the few humans that is left is patronizingly dull, but it works becuase the human is transformed via a wolf bite; and now he seeks to bridge the gap because he is in love with the beautiful heroine (if you can say that) of the movie, Kate Beckinsdale. I have seen her role once before, It is the role that was played by the Russian chick in Resident Evil. Neither of these women feared anything, and despite being in need of breast transplants, still captivate the screen with their athleticism, courage and androgynous antics. This movie deserves a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad plot
Review: Well as always, no need to waste time on the storyline but rather jump straight into praises and critisms.
Firstly, the plot is quite a commendable one. Not a lame plot but quite nicely done up with explainations that make some sense. The usual fare is to leave viewers with the questions hanging over their head. However the ending here is rather abrupt. One wonders, is there some Underworld 2 in store? Afterall directors these days seem notoriously fond of waiting to see how the first one fares and if it gets the raves, out comes number two but if it flops they shelve the sequel.
Secondly, lack of chemistry between Selene and Micheal. That is probably the most serious failing the movie has. I mean it is touted to be the equivalent of the gothic romeo and juliet correct? Well seeing Selene abruptly step up and half kiss Micheal really leaves you questioning "Huh? Where did that bit come from?"
Thirdly, whats the deal with all the different accents? Perhaps this is not a serious problem to some but personally I find it weird to hear the British accent and the American accent all co-mingling. There was no mention of Selene being a British vamp or KRaven being from the US....honestly very puzzling.
LAstly, the effects of the movie were top notch. The transformation of the werewolves were good and realistic and they looked good not pathetic namby pamby dogs some movies portray them to be. The scene in which you see Viktor come back to life is good as well. But the scene when Micheal becomes the combination of both species.....one word....awful. Honestly, couldn't they have done it some other way?
Oh yeah, ok one last bit [ I know i said lastly already] usually vampires are portrayed as more powerful creatures and the werewolves second rate stupid animals. To an extent that undercurrent runs but however it appears the werewolves have the slight upper hand here over the vampires perhaps due to strength or size....for one I've never seen vampires rely so heavily on guns to the point they are virtually useless without it. All they do is stand around and hiss with their fangs exposed. The only vampire to portray the strrength is Viktor.
However its a worthwhile fare overwall. Watch.
Rating:
Summary: Um, pardon me, but was this supposed to have a plot?
Review: Well, sorry, chaps, but it didn't. A huge dissapointment from a very promising concept.
Rating:
Summary: Derivative and lacks sparkle
Review: I've been racking my brains trying to think of something positive to say about "Underworld", and I can think of three. Kate Beckinsale looks good in black latex, Scott Speedman has an air of vulnerability that suits his part, and there's an interesting story reversal at the end where we become less sure who the good guys are. That's it. And it's not enough to justify the cost of a DVD or a ticket. The whole thing is just so derivative, mostly of "The Matrix" trilogy but also to a certain extent of the "Blade" movies. But it doesn't have the moments of flair that either of them have. It uses some of the characters from horror films, but it's not a horror film at all. After all, in horror films we identify usually with the human victims. Here the fact that vampires and werewolves kill humans is barely even mentioned. In fact there's not much point to them being vampires or werewolves given that their main weapons in the war against one another are good old fashioned guns and - ultimately - fist fights. The basic premise of "Underworld" is that for centuries a war has been raging between vampires and werewolves, known in this movies as lycans because they don't have to wait for the full moon to change form, and they can run on walls and ceilings like the creatures in "Alien", another movie that this one shamelessly rips off. As the movie opens one of the vampires Selene (Kate Beckinsale) realises that the lycans seem to have an interest in one human, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), that seems to go beyond the next dinner engagement. The lycans want his blood, because they have a cunning genetic plan. Rescuing Michael, Selene falls in love with him, although we have absolutely no idea why or when this happens. We only realise it because people keep saying so. As the initially bewildered Michael, Speedman is one of the best casting choices. Regular television viewers may recognise him from "Felicity" as the eponymous heroine's long time boyfriend, and his more sympathetic side he's a good departure from the usual guys we find in this kind of movie. The current leader of the vampires is a creep called Kraven (Shane Brolly). The name alone tells you he can't be trusted. He allegedly killed the lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen) many years ago. He didn't of course. He's actually in cahoots with him. Finding herself not getting the support from her leader that she needs Selene awakens the creature that made her a vampire, one of the vampire elders Viktor (Bill Nighy). The scene is set for an all out war. On the basis of this movie, director Len Wiseman seems to have no idea of pacing and no idea of how to make characters sympathetic. No-one cares who lives or dies. Lacking that foundation it doesn't really matter what's happening on the screen. Things might be moving fast, but all you can do is wait for the end to come. Some reviewers have been impressed by "Underworld's" visual style, which mostly consists of making everything very dark and very blue. Hard to believe that cinematographer Tony Pierce Roberts also shot Merchant Ivory's 'Room With a View". In terms of special effects, the werewolf transformations, which are achieved in a digital cartoon-like style, are a little strange and rough edged. And, as is often the case, the movie tends to freeze in its tracks for them to take place. And to be honest the werewolves are a bit laughable anyway. It's a movie for teenage Goths who believe the key to horror monsters is to look cool and strike poses. And even for them it will be a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Great
Review: What a wonderful leap from the normal "rules" of the genre. This story jumps us right into the middle of a centuries old conflict and weaves it's way back into the past to bring the viewer up to speed. The premise is unique and it works. A refreshing break from the traditional genre that has been overworked to the point of boredom. "Underworld" jump starts the outdated story to the future using modern technology to jolt the carnage from two insatiable groups of killers. The twists of politically motivated schemes boil down to the same ole' motivation; love and power. Familial conflict and monsterous actions even for the undead make for an interesting storyline. But in the end, the story runs out of gas, for trying to show the many fascinating, and grotesque transformations and mutilations. Too much emphasis is placed on the visual and the storyline is left to unravel and then the obligatory underdog David slays Golieth ending. This movie is so close to being a new classic that could have built a franchise to rival any available. Kate Beckinsale gives a performance that will convince anyone, like myself, who had doubts about her abilaties to carry a movie and play an antihero/villianess. The narration is tired and unneccesary but not so much that it detracts from the overall experience of the movie. A must see feature for any fan of the genre. Open your minds.
Rating:
Summary: I completed expected less
Review: I thorougly enjoyed this movie and I didn't expect to. I went in knowing nothing... I feel as though everybody else seemed to know it was a vampire vs. warewolf movie beforehand. Anyway, perhaps that's why it was a surprising treat to me. I thought it was well done and far more enjoyable than the trailers or the poster makes one think. The poster reminds me too much of that Purple Rain guy!
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