Underworld
There is nothing more appealing to me than a supernatural romp that has Bill Nighy as the villain. Because he does the job so very well. Even in terrible movies, he is always a beacon of evil excellence that deeply coos his way through bastard monologues. Pirates of the Carribean, I, Frankenstein and Jack the Giant Slayer all have the astonishing character actor gift is with monster that we not only love to see battling again the heroics but also have a thread of empathy too. No villain of Nighy's work, however, has had an impression on our noggins like Viktor from the gothic, slick and cult loved film Underworld.
Starring Kate Beckinsale, the Blade wannabe horror flick revolves around a group of vampires who once reigned supreme and now have been diluted to the shadows by their lacklustre leader Kraven. At war with werewolves, otherwise known as Lycans, there race is in danger of extinction when they find that their greatest enemy Lucian is back in business. As they strangely hunt down seemingly normal human Michael, Selena uncovers a devious plot that threatens not just that of vampires - but all creatures on the Earth. So desperate times call for desperate measures and Selena awakens elder Viktor to bring a reckoning!
Why Is It Bad?
The same criticism with recent horror and vampire based movies still stands here - it's all style over substance. Thinly written attempts at giving the audience characters who resonate slip off like rain on Beckinsales leather clad outfit. The background falls flat due to hammy dialogue and grunting monsters who sniff pithy tid-bits of myth at one another. The budget clearly went into the battles and look which is disappointing as the entire movie is told on tones of black and blue; drenched in rain to really hammer home the supernatural theme. As mentioned before, there seems to be some grab at a Blade-esque aspirations that have been squandered by the action and macabre costumes. Although, it looks amazing, offers nothing to the story that is background fodder at best.
Why is it Good?
Despite a lousy script as though a computer game were embellished into a film, the acting is pretty stellar. Kate Beckinsale is alluring as the bad-ass vampire heroine who believes in a riotous race whilst narrating in this cool monologue that cool girls are famed for. Michael Sheen is on excellent form as the long haired scorned and brutal Lucian and makes for an intriguing antagonist. Sheen is clearly enjoying the role hearing, lauding up every moment as the werewolf leader and every killing is snarls enact. Nighy, though, is regal and brilliant as elder vampire Viktor. From the ghoulish reawakened corpses he brings life to the commanding (and impeccably dressed) vampire. A man who can deliver some impressive monologues about the state of the supernatural world whilst also able to kick ass, Nighy captures elegance as well as intrigue here.
Underworld us great if you are into that sort of horror where vampires launch into the air like the matrix and a human is twisted into a scary monster. It's good as the romantic subplot actually doesn't come to ahead until the second film. Speaking of which, sparking off more films may be another notch on the "this is shit" bed post. The first film is definitely the best of a bad bunch - and that isn't entirely a terrible thing. So whether Lycan or Vampire, why not take a bite out of this?