Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised! A slick, excellent film!
Review: I avoided this movie when it came out in the theater, dismissing it as "yet another Vampire/Werewolf rehash"; a presumptuous sentiment I now regret, having recently watched it for the first time on DVD. My opinion of it now? Quite the opposite... I *love* this movie. "Hooked" is another good word to describe my reaction to it.The creators of this film have done a wonderful job of taking the conventional Vampire/Werewolf mythos and twisting it around, taking a fresh new approach. No mysticism, crucifixes or wooden stakes here... There are sunlight and silver bullets... though Len Wiseman and co. have given the theme a scientific twist that is convincing and consistent. Many may dislike this new direction, but to me, it's a breath of fresh air. To his credit, director and co-writer Len Wiseman made the decision to go with less CG for the creature and special effects, opting for the tried and true method of using prosthetics, make-up, cables and animatronics. The results are, for one example, werewolves that have a more tactile and real look to them, where computer-generated effects all-too-often are never quite convincing enough. There are a few CG moments scattered throughout the film, but they're fleeting, used to good effect and do not detract from the movie at all. It's a lower-budget film with very high production values. The sets are great and the whole movie really maintains the dark and gritty feel that its title evokes. How about the story?
I won't go into the premise of the film. Many others here have already done a fine enough job in their reviews. I will say the story is another aspect of this film that, for me, elevates it far above being "just another supernatural slasher/horror flick". The story starts off seemingly simple... Vampires and Lycans (werewolves) have been at war for centuries and a specific group of Vampires, called Death Dealers, are charged with bringing about the Lycans' extinction. The movie starts out explaining this on-going battle through the narration of the films main protagonist, Selene who is, herself, a Death Dealer. However, as the story develops, you find that there is much more going on than originally revealed and, by the end of the movie, there are enough twists and turns to satisfy even the most jaded viewer. It's intelligent and is conveyed via well written and delivered dialog. I cannot think of one line in this movie that seemed cheesy or made me cringe. One scene in which Viktor, one of the Vampire elders, slays a Lycan was taken a *wee* bit farther than necessary, I think. But that's hardly a complaint... just a minor personal quip. The casting and acting in Underworld also receives high marks. For one, Kate Beckinsale (Selene) delivers an absolutely stunning and intoxicating performance. She's perfect in this role and, by the way, looks incredible. For their part, the rest of the cast deliver a solid performance as well. There are no cardboard-cutouts in this movie. Every actor commands their role skillfully and adequately and I found myself caring about what happens to each one. I could go on much longer about this movie, and there would be nothing but positive.. but I think I've made my point :-). If you want to see a slick, stylish and all around well-done movie, you'd do well to see Underworld.
Rating: 
Summary: Underdone
Review: UNDERWORLD is the kind of film that studios -- during the late 70s and 80s -- considered 'throwaways': horror films given a certain degree of mythology meant to attract little more than the teen audience willing to spend a few bucks for a few scares. The influence of STAR WARS, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg on the film industry, however, largely has caused the industry to reinvent the horror (monster, not slasher) film as "an event film": cast some modest to big name actors, throw in heavier doses of backstory and mythology, and viola! You've got art! Of course, vampires are enjoying a reasonable rebirth as of late. INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE had the critics up in arms, while BLADE (I & II) really catored more to the 18-45 demographic in terms of violence, music, and action. Even television got into the act with KINDRED: THE EMBRACED, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, and the stellar BBC mini ULTRAVIOLET. As with the vast vampire subculture, there's plenty of blood here for good stories. In that estimation, UNDERWORLD feels underdone. It's full of big ideas -- a centuries old unknown war between Vampires and Werewolves for dominance, Vampire covens ruled by reawakened members of the undead, DNA sequencing to try and create a hybrid between the two species, a Romeo & Juliet spinoff love story -- that needed to be cooked a while longer in order to determine which ingredients would produce the best dish -- including Kate Beckingsale whose behind looks absolutely spectacular in leather. Despite the studio's rush to greenlight a sequel, UNDERWORLD played to solid (not great) box office receipts, and this viewer only hopes that the creative folk will peel back some layers of the mythology they've created in order to deliver a product that feels less 'rushed' and far more 'important.'
Rating: 
Summary: Stylish, but underproductive action film
Review: "Underworld" was a very interesting film to watch. Part horror/action film, this film manages to have a interesting and original storyline, fine cinematography and a good performance by Kate Beckinsale. Despite its strengths, it sometimes lacks "bite". In a film inspired by THE MATRIX and THE CROW, this movie easily seperates itself from because it's about vampires and werewolves. The storyline has the two battling an ancient war for over a 1000 years. Vampire hunteress Selene(Beckinsale) rescues a ill-fated human named Michael(Scott Speedman) from Lycans, a.k.a werewolves. She then stumbles upon a conspiracy by the Lycans, who have turned Michael into one of them, in order to exterminate the vampires. Selene struggles to keep Michael from becoming a Lycan, but gets help from an ancient vampire, Victor, who isn't all he seems. Then of course there's a battle between the two races. I liked the story, but this film just plays by the numbers. This film has a dark and gloomy atmosphere, which I like, yet the film fails to be more gritty. Horror fans will be dissapointed with the lack of blood this film offers, but many may be glad with just the story, which has surprising twists and turns. The special effects aren't all that special, since there's nothing groundbreaking about it. The action wasn't really productive either, just grade B stuff. I felt sometimes this really was a low budget actioner, but it's still stylish now and then. "Underworld" was a film basically filled with a bunch of familar ideas which rewrites what we think of vampires and werewolves. But I just didn't get what this film said to me, because I just wasn't all that excited what it had to offer. Despite some strengths, "Underworld" was a very mixed movie to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Could not tear myself away!
Review: A great flick.
Movies should be entertaining and this one certainly was. Although I like special effects and action, I want an interesting plot, substantial character development, and a strong ending to give a high rating.
This movie had it all. I don't understand those few people who criticized the movie for lack of authenticity. For example: "His reinterpretations of these classic beasts are of the lamest, failing at almost every point to use their full potential. Instead of coming out during a full moon, the lycans can change whenever they want. Silver bullets only work if you use about a hundred of them. And the wolves are the more formidable of the two species. The so-called-vampires aren't even really vampires. They have reflections, don't drink blood, and run away like panicked deer at the first sign of danger. Without guns, the lycans tear them apart like wet tissue paper." Not entirely true. OK, it takes a lot of silver bullets to kill Lycans. But not all Lycans can become wolves when they want... only the most experienced ones can. And wolves are not always the most formidible ones. The only hand-to-hand fight between vampire and Lycan was between this HUGE African-American guy and a normal size vampire in the beginning of the movie. The movie has to establish early on that the wolves were dangerous. And I would expect the big guy to win. The lead vampire, Victor, was much stronger than any of the wolves. Also, vampires do drink blood... that was a bit thick to be wine served. And the safe house had plasma in the refrigerator. And vampire don't run away from fights.. thats why they hunt down the Lycans, remember. Did this guy watch the whole movie or what? Sigh. Rent it first, as I did. I asked my wife to get it for Valentine's day. Well, it is a love story (hehe).
Rating:
Summary: Flawed, but a promising debut
Review: Vampires fighting werewolves, and Kate Beckinsale in leather, are the twin promises of "Underworld", and you'll probably be happy if your expectations are no higher than that. To be fair, the lavish digital imagery suggested by the trailer is deployed with impressive restraint, and the film is distinguished from most other effects-intensive offerings by its determination to tell a story. The problem is that the story it chooses to tell is convoluted, unmotivated and, in the end, not a particularly thrilling one. What starts as a promising detective-tale-with-love-interest collapses under the weight of its own backstory and the apparent need to lay the ground work for a sequel. A tale of night-stalking monsters, blood disorders and forbidden love is surely ripe for a psycho-sexual subtext, but Danny McBride's screenplay seems content to make a few passing references to black slavery and leave it at that. He was clearly more concerned with writing chase sequences involving a variety of expensive vehicles and cramming in enough "acting" roles for all his old stuntman buddies. As director, Len Wiseman's adman pedigree is far too obvious. He delivers one or two interesting shots, but generally relies on an aesthetic owing too much to rock videos, computer games and "The Matrix" ever to be truly engaging in its own right. Still, the whole package shows enough promise to keep me interested in what these guys do next. On a budget of $23 million, they've delivered a lot of movie for the money.
Rating:
Summary: You have to start somewhere!
Review: Well, another comic book movie comes to the screen and falls short of hopes and expectations! The movie has great possibilities, but fails to tell a good story within fairly decent action. Charecters like Lucian were brought to life, while Kraven was done over the top and poorly to say the least by Shane Brolly! All and all I do hope for the next movie and hope for better then the 2.5 stars I would rate this one! NEXT!
Rating:
Summary: Please, no sequel!
Review: I'll admit, I'm a sucker for a movie involving the world of vampires. Maybe it's the exquisite hedonism. Maybe it's my curiosity of that "culture." Maybe it's just the beautiful makeup effects. However, I expected so much more with this movie.
The whole love story that was built up between the two major characters was a major let down in being that for starters, Beckinsale and Speedman didn't come across as having any real chemistry. Also, the love story plot was barely touched upon when I felt they tried to sale the movie on that focal point.
The music/score was tacky and somewhat cliched for this movie and while I'm tempted to say the same for the costuming and setting, I liked the lighting used for the movie.
There was a twist at the end that was interesting, but predictable. My only hope is that a sequel doesn't follow.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Surprised at how much I liked this movie.
Review: As far as extras go, this DVD really does not have a whole lot, which is why I only gave it 4 stars. On the merits of the movie itself, I would give it 5. Kate Beckinsale plays Selene, a Vampire Death Dealer who has the job of hunting down Lycans (Werewolves) and killing them. Apparently there has been a war between the Vampires and Lycans going on for a really long time. At the beginning of the film she learns that the lycans are interested in a certain human, so the rest of the story revolves around her figuring out why the human is so important. There are many twists as you find out that some good guys are actually bad and vice versa....some which I didn't even see comming. There are some MAJOR loose ends that are left at the end of the movie, partly because I think they were planning on making another one at some point. This movie can stand by itself, don't get me wrong, but it never says what happens to a few key characters at the end. The characters of the movie made it though. I really like Selene, partly because she was a woman and could kick ass (girl power!). Michael, the human, was interesting. At first I was a little annoyed with his laid-back-deer-in-headlights act, but he got more agressive later on. Plus, yeah, he was a little attractive. What can I say! Lucian, the head Lycan, was my favorite, and when you watch the movie you will see why. If I said anything else about him, I would be giving up too much story. He was just cool! The style and feel of the movie is much like the Crow and the Matrix (a few of the fight scenes), like other reviewers have mentioned. The city is dark and dirty, and always seems to be bathed in blue light. It rains alot and everyone, even humans, always seem to be wearing black. But this also gives the movie an Any-big-city feel. I had the feeling it was in the USA, but it could just as easily have been across the ocean. So, as far as style, the movie has great mood.
As far as plot, not the most original, but still pretty creative. Its hard to come up with something completly new.
And the Actors - I believe they were well chosen and did a good job. Not really BIG name actors, so you could look at them and see their characters, and not *who* they are in real life. If you are still unsure, rent the movie, but more than likely you will end up buying it sooner or later.
Rating:
Summary: a review that doesn't give away movie, .........be surprised
Review: Unlike most/some I had an idea of the story but never bothered to listen to the details. Given that I believe, as I do with many movies, that it is best not know too much about the story so as not to build up any expectations. Even with that I was pleasantly surprised, it wasn't too much of a love story (thankfully!) and the plot had a few little surprises (but don't look for any big twists). There was just a slight shift in my perception towards the end, which was one of the nice little surprises. I like horror/vampire movies, strong female characters and I won't usually admit this, but I'm beginning to believe that I am a closet goth. I got really excited when I learned that there's a book (I'm sure better detail) but not that it was a movie first, oh well.
Rating:
Summary: The movie deserves 5 stars straight out...
Review: ...unfortunately, the DVD falls short. This is one of the few half decently funded movies where fans were allowed to make the movie instead of studio suck-ups (not that there isn't a time and a place for studio suck-up movies, and by the standards of theatrical releases this movie was under-funded). The DVD lacks deleted scenes, which having read the novelization I'm well familiar with, but this is excusable because the commentary explained how they weren't allowed the time to do enough shoots, and many scenes were cut simply because they couldn't be made to look right in the editing room. The other problem was the lack of the documentary "Fang vs. Fiction" which had been made to promote the movie, I can't understand WHY they'd cut it, it showed the basis of this war in real legends. There supposedly WAS a war between vampires and their former werewolf slaves in the 1400s.
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