Underworld: Blood Wars (Sony Pictures – 2016) Review

As a series the Underworld films are not exactly known for being spectacular works of art.  Taking the Werewolves Vs Vampires concept and modifying that dynamic, the first film was a fantastic and bloody action flick that took a new approach to the traditional style of these character types, especially the Lycans.  The sequels and the prequel took this fun concept and ran with it making some amazing action flicks; albeit with some mixed quality special effects, resulting in some films of varying quality. All of this results in what are ultimately just fun dumb action, unsurprisingly Underworld: Blood Wars continues this pattern.

Underworld: Blood Wars picks up where Underworld Awakening left off, where the Lycans are still trying to perfect their species, hunting Selene, played by Kate Beckinsale, to find out where her daughter is with that valuable DNA.  With David, played by Theo James, they need to continue the fight against the Lycans and the Vampires that want to hunt Seline down and surprise, there are power struggles within the Vampire covens again.  For the most part, it is another Underworld movie, which adds little to the mythos, but I do not want to go into the new changes without spoiling the film.

But on the scale of Underworld movies, I would rate it fairly highly as there are some welcome new changes and a lot of what we have seen for four films.

The acting is for the most part solid but there are some minor characters are not so great, however Kate Beckinsale is absolutely amazing as always.  Theo James does his part fine, as well as he does in any part to be honest, which is not that fantastic and stands as average amongst much better performances.  Lara Pulver performing the vampire stirring the pot of power in the vampire coven is very solid and Charles Dance stands out as being awesome as always.

The special effects are a part I havefelt torn on throughout the entire series and does not change here.  It is good CGI and there are some crazy action sequences with Lycans Vs Vampires that clearly need to be made with CGI, but it never gets better than good.  As such its useis always obvious on screen, to the point where even with my suspension of disbelief I noticed it a lot.  It is not going to ruin the film if you enjoy the Underworld series, but it is as noticeable as ever.

Realistically, Underworld: Blood Wars is what you would expect from a new Underworld movie.  The story is interesting and fun, expands on the world and Selene gets even more powerful.  As a film it is not pushing new boundaries, it is not testing new waters for the industry, it just pushes the story forward.

If you have not enjoyed the Underworld films to date then this one is not going to shift your opinion, as it is more of the same, but slightly different.  But if like me you enjoy them for the fun silly action films that they are then I highly recommend Underworld: Blood Wars.  Sit back, grab some popcorn, turn your brain off and enjoy it for what it is, more Lycan Vs Vampire Vs Serene action with a reasonable story.

Keep StG Independent and (mostly) Advertising Free with a Donation