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Underworld Awakening (Film)
Rating: MA
Running Time: 88
Country: USA
Director: Måns Mårlind , Björn Stein
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, Stephen Rea
Distributor: Sony
Release Date: January 26, 2012
Film Worth: $15.00
FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worthThe return of Kate Beckinsale and the cracking serve of action should keep fans satisfied, but the visual effects leave a lot to be desired.
For those of you unfamiliar with the previous three films in the Underworld series, rest assured, there is a recap at the beginning of the fourth instalment, Underworld: Awakening. The story picks up in a changed world. Vampires and Lycans are now hidden deep underground on the verge of extinction as humans have become aware of their existence, and have since issued marshal law to eradicate them. Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and Michael (an inserted via CGI Scott Speedman) are attacked and Selene is captured and held captive, frozen, in a research facility. Fast forward twelve years, and Selene is mysteriously released. In time, Selene comes to know about "Subject 2", her daughter, who the Lycans are after. Selene has vowed to protect her. The battle begins.
Nobody wears a patent leather jumpsuit and corset quite like Kate Beckinsale (okay, maybe Michelle Pfeiffer), now in her third turn as Vampire Death-Dealer Selene. She seems to get better each time around; the Lycan visual effects however, do not. They still leave much to be desired, and with today's technology, and this instalment being in 3-D, it's very disappointing. Selene's daughter, Subject 2 (India Eisley), credited as "Eve", when transformed into her hybrid state during fits of anger and self-defence has a tendency to look more like Samara from The Ring than a half vampire, half werewolf child. Not to worry, the twelve-year old still kicks serious Lycan butt.
This latest instalment will send fans into fits of ecstasy, especially with the return of Beckinsale. Those of you who are simply curious will be entertained enough with the non-stop action sequences.