Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
2009 · Directed by Patrick Tatopoulos
Original language: English
- fantasy
- action
- thriller
The story
A prequel to the first two Underworld films, this fantasy explains the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Aided by his secret love, Sonja, courageous Lucian leads the Lycans in battle against brutal Vampire king Viktor. Determined to break the king's enslavement of his people, Lucian faces off against the Death Dealer army in a bid for Lycan independence.
What it’s like
Dim, blue-black palettes broken by hot orange firelight and the cold glare of torches, with the stone of a gothic castle rendered in heavy, murky textures. The camera favours fast handheld moves and rapid cutting during the fights, while the quieter scenes in the mines and cells sit in slow, rain-soaked gloom. The score is a thudding orchestral-electronic pulse with swelling choral strings, and the sound design leans on clanking chains, snarling howls and the crack of blades. Vibe: brooding, muscular, dark-fantasy spectacle with a romantic ache running underneath. It suits a late-night watch with the lights off or a weekend action binge. Tempo is steady and built around set-piece battles, with long stretches of enslavement and clandestine romance between them. Intensity is high: frequent sword and claw violence, bloody wounds, and creature gore, along with scenes of brutal cruelty toward enslaved people and some sensual content. It works for viewers who want dark, werewolf-and-vampire action with a forbidden-love thread, and not for anyone seeking something gentle.
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