Underworld: Evolution
U.S.A. 2006

Opening 2 Mar 2006

Directed by: Len Wiseman
Writing credits: Danny McBride, Len Wiseman, Kevin Grevioux
Principal actors: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, Bill Nighy

Underworld was a surprise international hit in 2003 for director Len Wiseman and lead actors Kate Beckinsale (The Aviator) and Scott Speedman (xXx). As a result, we now have Underworld: Evolution, a sequel that picks up right where Underworld left off and explores more of the back story of the blood feud between vampires and Lycans (werewolves) that exists in the shadows of 21st century Europe. After murdering the leader of her clan, vampire Selene (Beckinsale) is now on the run with lover Michael (Speedman), a vampire-Lycan hybrid, from both her fellow vampires and the Lycans. Her only hope is to find and wake Marcus (Tony Curran), the only remaining elder in her clan, in hopes that he can help her. But Marcus has an agenda of his own – to find and free his brother William, the first of the Lycans, which would have terrible consequences for humanity.

Underworld: Evolution is filled with more of the same elements from the original Underworld – brooding visuals, blood-soaked battles, and Beckinsale in a skin-tight leather bodysuit. However, the plot is very convoluted, meaning that only real devotees of the original film will be able to easily understand who’s who and what’s going on. The action sequences are a little more original this time around, but that’s the only improvement. Despite the presence of top-rate British actors Bill Nighy and Sir Derek Jacobi, this Underworld is de-volution, not an evolution, from the original. (Kirsten Greco)