Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
Anna Foerster
Writers:
Cory Goodman (screenplay), Kyle Ward (story), based on characters created by Kevin Grevioux, Lien Wiseman, and Danny McBride.
Cast:
Kate Beckinsale (Selene), Theo James (David), Tobias Menzies (Marius), Lara Pulver (Semira), Charles Dance (Thomas), James Faulkner (Cassius), Peter Andersson (Vidar), Clementine Nicholson (Lena), Bradley James (Varga), Daisey Head (Alexia), Oliver Stark (Gregor), and Sveta Driga as Amelia.
Opening Sequence:
The vampire film of films has finally come to it's end of it's long drawn out tale. The Underworld Blood Wars is a movie that isn't for anyone, and that's saying a lot .Before i go into the review, i would like to mention the series previous films; They're either epic or somewhat OK if that makes any sense. Underworld (2003), Underworld: Evolution, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009). Underworld: Awakening (2012), and finally Underworld: Blood Wars (2016). These films have been a part of us since 2003, i guess you have to give it some credit. These types of movies usually only get a one time feat, and for Underworld thanks to Beckinsale her contribution towards the series has been phenomenal. So let's get comfortable in your couch, because the review of the next film, Underworld Blood wars is here.
Review:
The film begins with Selene (Kate Beckinsale) narrating the previous films, she is fleeing a pack of Lycans (Werewolfs). Going into the backstory of Viktor (Bill Nighy), he had deceived her in the past, and both vampires had went for blood, and the outcome was in the death dealer's victory. What came from all this pain, and death was her only love, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedsman). He was known as the first hybrid, and to the vampire world that means death. Both vampire and Lycan, best of both worlds, except the loneliness that comes with this vast power. Michael and Selene later had a child, Eve (India Eisley). The only pure breed hybrid. As things became complicated, Selene continues to fight off the Lycan packs. But her story continues to a horrible end. Their daughter, Eve has been missing, and her whereabouts are unknown, Selene is saddened by this long spiral that is her unlife. Her narration comes to a close when suddenly the pack surrounds her, she manages to escape with the help of David (Theo James) he is the son of Thomas (Charles Dance). The two heroes use their speed, and experience to destroy the pack before them. A new pack leader is here, Marius (Tobias Menzies). (Fade to Black)
What can i say about this particular series is simply that it wasn't very good. The acting even got boring. Imagine watching a film with the pacing of Underworld: Blood wars. the pacing was pretty fast, you had absolutely no time to really soak in the story. Because the story was pretty weak out of the whole series. The series takes you with the lead Selene which is a super death dealer, vampire assassin. You'd think the movie had every detail in perfect condition, but there was no particulars. Let me go right into it. For example, remember the scene with David (Theo James)? The Lycans use their guns, which is useful, but not against these guys. I mean Selene and David are pretty powerful characters at this point, so why would the Lycans (werewolfs) use guns. Because the answer is simple, limited budget. To me if i don't have enough for the budget, then find a way, period.
The good thing about this film, and probably the only thing is the background. The ambiance of the location is amazing. The film makers really did a good job utilizing the special effects on what they had. The effects were horrible at times, but when it went to far away shots in a fighting scene, it was done pretty good. The shots were only tight on location, and surroundings, and not the characters. But is that the only thing to a story, backdrops, placements. What about production? The real problem with the production was the way the film went, it did not have any real flow. The sequences were not tight like the first film, but fast, short and pretty boring. It went like this. Scene, fight, fight, fight, end. That's the way Underworld Blood Wars went. I hate to say that about a vampire film, but i'm a huge fan of vampires and when a bad one comes along, movie that is. I say what i feel, and sometimes it comes out harsh.
The movie didn't have a true Act 1, 2, or 3. It was all over the place, and that's what hurt the film. Whatever happened to using the werewolves to their complete strength. Not all wolves are all about the head guy. Sometimes the small crew in stories get the most done, and they just went into a fight, gun's a blazing, without changing. If you have Lycans then use them like their intended. Even if the budget doesn't alloy it, just write the story with the wolves changing and getting into the action without the guns. The vampires i could understand, but the werewolves, was an embarrassment. In the 1987 Lost Boys the vampires did not just come in and used matrix still attacks. They were mysterious, challenging, they even used mental powers that made them...A vampire. Underworld kinda forgot that a true vampire doesn't really need use of guns or strength. But mental affinity is their true power. All the vampire would have to do is control the wolf, and it would be done, period. The writers would need some clever thinking because true use of these types of characters would take actual thought.
Vampire films are what i love the most and i will attack a film maker, or a group of people if they screw the content up. The Underworld films as a whole is OK, but as for what is a vampire true power, they're never there, because they focused on the fighting, which is only just 1% of their power, really it is. The true vampire would have his or her crew go after the good guys, and when things go bad. The antagonist would decimate everything in it's path. The situation goes from good to bad, quick. The Lycan wouldn't have the chance, all the vampire would have to do is say, "Sit!", and it would follow with, "Good Dog." The vampire's mental affinity is so strong he could control a mass group with out even getting up from his throne. In the film the elders in a coven were weak, they displayed so much power, but that power wasn't utilized like it should've been. They're elders without a clue, cannon fodder for the Lycan attacks.
The Lycans (werewolf) on the other hand were weak as hell, they only displayed their true power when needed, but by that time it was to late. If the vampire true strength is mental, then the Lycans are physical. The werewolf prays, they're the protectors of nature. In the film all they really were was nothing more than lifeless beings. Only Marius was the unique one in the film, and that's because he was taking Michael's blood. Anyway the werewolf bonds with nature, that's why they hate the vampires. The film had the Lycans in the streets, sewers, city dwellers. In rise of the Lycans they pretty much got the werewolf story pretty good. But what happened along the way, it's like they forgot, and wrote the story, continued, went right to bed. If the writers would've had the werewolf's right, the film would've been epic in every proportion. Imagine the werewolf (Lycan) being strong, swift, cunning, but his power is deep inside of him. He only comes out when needed, almost like the hulk. He can break the mental drain the vampires have on him by focusing on his rage within, what his elders had taught him, his pack leader. The change will happen, but when it does everything dies. He will go for the neck, and rip the vampires jugular out. His rage continues, but his focus is there, and only explodes when needed, not because the coven is present. The use of bullets slow him down, but silver is the only thing that can destroy him. Even with their advance weapons, armor protects him, gives him enough time to kill those vampires. The point here is the werewolf is strong, smart, cunning, and a worthy adversary. Blood wars missed the mark, and even with the whole daughter, Eve story line which is continued in this film, it really misses the whole point. Action is only good if there is a story to back it up, whatever happened to love, hate, energy of the vampire. The sequences would've been epic if there was a hint of the things i mentioned, but thanks to Hollywood films like these will be made.
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