Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Premise: Picking up where the original film left off, vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and vampire-werewolf crossbreed Michael (Scott Speedman) uncover more twists in the history of their species while being pursued by Marcus (Tony Curran), a vampire elder.
What Works: Director Wiseman has an eye for directing action and knowing when to use computer graphics and when to use practical effects.
What Doesn’t: Fans of the original Underworld will be disappointed. The characters remaining from the original film are dispatched fairly quickly. The biggest strength of the original film was the theme of interracial war and the way the narrative explored the structures that create and sustain racial prejudice; these have been largely abandoned in Evolution. The love story between Selene and Michael goes too far, too fast with no romantic build up. This film further explores the twisted relationship between the two sides but the exposition is mishandled and the rest of the film is confusing.
Bottom Line: Despite such a promising predecessor, Underworld: Evolution is a disappointment. It rejects all the best parts of the original film and exacerbates all of the original film’s weaknesses.
Episode: #82 (January 22, 2006)