Underworld

Review by Clint Morris

Betcha didn’t know that there has been a warring battle between werewolves and vampires for centuries?

The hirsute men are out to get the fanged variety, the wolf pack out to slay the dracs.

They’re constantly hunting one another down and ultimately slaughtering their incongruent kind in a play to the finish. Illogical as it all sounds, Director Len Wiseman hopes you swallow it for at least 121 minutes.

Sexy, leather clad, Vampire Selene [Kate Beckinsale] is trying to find out why the enemy are interested in a particular human [Scott Speedman].

Ultimately she discovers a false-hearted conspiracy in both the enemy’s encampment and her own, and sets off renegade-style to help the chap.

Great effects, some cool fights, and great use of the colour blue. Unfortunately, those traits are better suited to a video game.

A cross between a very average TV pilot (one of those short-lived series you see playing at midnight) and a lackluster Blade spin-off, Underworld has got to have one of the worst screenplays in history.

Ok, so we’re told something about vampires and werewolves being enemies of each other, but aren’t given any clue as to their powers, weaknesses or desires, let alone being able to form any sort of attachment with any of the characters.

Instead – and like so many of these special effects films of late – the shonky storyline is shrouded with an abundance of effects and chic editing that the filmmakers hoped would mask their lousy plot.

Didn't quite work.

2 out of 5

Underworld
Australian release: Thursday January 22nd
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly.
Director: Ken Wiseman.
Website: Click here.