Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Genre(s) : Adventure | Horror | Suspense/Thriller
Starring : Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, and Kevin Grevioux
Written by : Danny McBride (story), Robert Orr (story), Len Wiseman (story), Howard McCain, Dirk Blackman
Directed by : Patrick Tatopoulos
Release Date : DVD: May 12, 2009 ; Theatrical: January 23, 2009

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian, emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja, in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.

Taking the story back about a millennium or so, screenwriters Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain trace the origins of the longstanding blood feud between the powerful, vampire Death Dealers, ruled by the ruthless Viktor (Nighy), and the persecuted werewolves, led by Lucian (Sheen), the Lycan who is Viktor's de facto slave.

Driving an even greater wedge between the two factions is the forbidden, clandestine love affair between Lucian and Viktor's self-assured daughter Sonja (Rhona Mitra). Series newcomer Mitra, for reasons that will become apparent at the end of the film, bears a fittingly passing resemblance to Beckinsale, who played the part of warrior vampire Selene in the first two installments, and there's a tangible spark between her and the always effective Sheen.

Shooting in "Lord of the Rings" territory, namely New Zealand, the production is visibly more atmospheric than its predecessors -- which combined to gross $114 million domestically -- while the understated CGI blends in neatly with all the old-school stunt work.