|
Starring |
Kate Beckinsale
,
Stephen Rea
,
Michael Ealy
,
Theo James
|
|
|
Directed By |
Mars Marlind and Bjorn Stein
|
|
|
Audio
|
Dolby Digital 5.1
|
|
Visuals
|
2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
|
|
Running Time |
88 mins
|
|
UK Release Date |
May 14, 2012
|
|
Genre |
Action, Sci-fi, Fantasy
|
|
Our Rating |
|
|
User Rating |
|
Underworld Awakening continues the story of the previous films, skipping ahead 12 years to a world where vampires and werewolves have been outed to the world and as a result they've been hunted to near extinction, or so it seems.
While at first this sounds quite different, eventually it becomes apparent that this is just the same story from the first two films spun slightly differently. There is still a hybrid vampire/werewolf who the two sides are fighting over and there is nothing to help make this film less boring than the originals. Additionally the purge storyline has very little impact in the long run. It's revealed very early on that they have both survived in secret. Essentially the only difference is that now there are humans shooting at Kate Beckinsale as well as werewolves. Slow motion is as heavily abused as ever – I swear before these films I used to like it! It also still uses that annoying blue filter that just makes everything hard to see.
At least in this film Kate Beckinsale gets to act a little bit more, showing actual emotion rather than being totally cold. It's still hardly Oscar worthy but at least it's a step up. The supporting cast are pretty much instantly forgettable, just some vampires and werewolves growling and generally acting pissed off, as well as a small girl who mostly just whimpers.
The film's attempt to add a twist ending is pathetic and can be seen from a mile off. There is also a laughable conspiracy which is just painfully ridiculous. In between all this and the boring action, essentially you're just left with a feeling of meh-ness. I'm honestly surprised they've managed to stretch four films out of this bland franchise. To make it even worse the ending hints at a fifth!
None of the extras are worth watching. There are five featurettes that talk about the cast and the making of the film, and are essentially just begging it up. There are also some unmade deleted scenes represented with CGI, that resemble an N64 game. Finally there's a unfunny blooper reel and a music video.
Overall Verdict: Totally bland and not worth your time. At least its short.
Special Features:
5 Featurettes on various aspects of production
CGI visualisations of deleted scenes.
A blooper reel
A music video
Reviewer: Matt Mallinson
