Our Review
Rebekah Burgess-Smith, MovieFix
Before Twilight, there was Underworld. Underworld Awakening is the fourth instalment of this classic vampire action franchise, filmed in glorious 3D and rebooted for 2012, and my, it's a force to be a reckoned with.
No lengthy recap here, Underworld Awakening hits the ground running, as you join Selene (Kate Beckinsale) battling her way through a modern world where humans are widely aware of the existence of both Vampires and Lycans, doing everything they can to make both predatory species extinct. Her enemies are new, numerous and super charged, and with the help of new allies, she prepares for an all-out war on the city streets.
Kate Beckinsale is worth every cent of her hefty paycheck to don the black PVC again as our Vampire heroine, Selene. Her performance kicks more butt than ever; harder, faster stronger ... she would totally eat Edward Cullen for supper.
Another casting standout is newcomer India Eisley in her breakout "don't typecast me as the cutesy teen" role. She gives great crazy and plenty of evil, with one of the best patient versus doctor fight sequences I've seen in a long time. (NB: please allow me to reassess this judgement later this year when Resident Evil Retribution is released!).
The Swedish invasion of Hollywood continues as Awakening employs the directing talents of Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein, who crraft a chic, cold, moody feel. The excellent 3D makes you feel part of the action, ready to leap from your seat to take cover, yet at the same time every scene has the soft look of a beautifully composed image from an arty hipster mag.
Ditching the 'ye ole' fantasy world from the first three films, Awakening's modern setting closer aligns it with the likes of cousin films like Blade, a new direction for the franchise that may upset some hardcore fans. But ultimately, it keeps the best of the fantasy elements for a more entertaining viewing.
For those new to the franchise, you can really sink your teeth straight into this chapter and enjoy. It's not a horror film sequel, but rather a high-octane action movie with a dash of sci-fi and fantasy, and a lead character who kicks serious butt.
