The eternal feud between the vampires and the lycans continues in “Underworld: Evolution,” raising the old question: “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” Not Selene or millions of moviegoers who fled to the theaters for the film. “Evolution” took
The eternal feud between the vampires and the lycans continues in “Underworld: Evolution,” raising the old question: “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” Not Selene or millions of moviegoers who fled to the theaters for the film.
“Evolution” took the No. 1 spot at the box office, raking in nearly $26.9 million in its first weekend, as reported by the box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.
Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman return to star in the sequel to the 2003 hit film “Underworld.” The story picks up just where the original left off, but if you didn’t see the first one, that’s OK. They do enough recaps to catch you up, as well as provide you with more back history than the first.
In the beginning, history on the start of the vampire and lycan clans is unveiled. Marcus is the elder of the vampires, while his twin brother William is the uncontrollable werewolf ancestor.
At the time, William is so out of control and so full of rage that he is to the point that he cannot return to his human state. When he is captured, he is encased in a tomb, alive, and hidden away for centuries.
Flash forward to the present. Marcus had been in a slumber in his casing, while Viktor ruled the vampires in the first film.
Marcus, having been awakened in his case by the spilled blood of another vampire, finds out that Viktor is dead and is free to find where William is hidden.
Hybrid of vampire and werewolf Michael (Speedman) unknowingly wears one of the keys Marcus needs to free William.
The other rests in the chest, under his skin, of the fallen king of the vampires Viktor, whom Selene (Beckingsale) murders at the ending of the first film.
Following so far? I saw both films, and will admit that I got a little lost in the lineage.
Apparently, Selene is the only person alive who knows where William is hidden, only she doesn’t really know.
She was too young to remember, but the memories are all stored in her blood. Once Marcus gets a hold of both keys, and drinks her blood, he’ll have everything he needs to free his brother.
The movie goes real fast.
From the beginning, there is plenty of action, and it only slows down for brief moments before chaos occurs again.
Here’s the thing about “Evolution.” Len Wiseman, who happens to be Beckinsale’s husband, returns to direct it, but I don’t remember the first one being this gory.
Yes, it’s a given that when you watch a film about the feud between enemy vampires and werewolves, there’s going to be bloodshed.
But this may be a bit more than the horror-film fan can take. Heads are split, jaws are ripped out of faces, arms chopped off, you name it.
Funny thing is Beckinsale wears the same black outfit throughout the movie, and despite all the fights she gets into, her outfit remains flawless.
She gets shot, point blank, in the stomach, and, yes, since she’s vampire, I know she won’t die from it, but I at least expect a hole in her outfit and jacket.
It’s one of many wardrobe oversights that doesn’t really affect the story of the movie, but still bugs me.
Back to the movie.
In short, there’s a lot of fast-paced action that the MTV and Sony Playstation kids will love, even though it’s rated R.
If they keep up the trend of making the movie bloodier and bloodier, I can only imagine what the third film is going to be like.
If there will be another.
I thought maybe it was over, but Selene’s narration in the end led me to believe that a third movie may be in the works.
Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
