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Among other vampires, Selene stands out. She holds to the primary meaning of being a Death Dealer, her vampire coven. This meaning is solely based on the destruction of the lycans, a werewolf race that dwells beneath the city. While other vampires are involved in politics, vanity, and technology, she wants only the genocide of the entire lycan race, as did her mentor.
Her mentor was Viktor, an elder vampire that is raised from his grave in a strategic manner to govern the vampire coven every some odd centuries. But at the start, Viktor sleeps and another vampire by the name of Kraven is in control. His motives vary from impressing other covens to attempting to manipulate Selene into being his bride. Kraven appears the most deceptive of all vampires. So he appears.
Lucian heads the realm of the lycans. He has a profound hate for Viktor and a zeal to create a vampire/lycan hybrid. At the base of Lucian's motives is the true conflict and solution to the story, a concept Selene never dreamed of. Reluctantly, she eventually gives in and helps to achieve the solution to the conflict.
My take on this film is a bit two sided. It would seem as if I had to write two separate reviews for this flick. A review for the introduction and a review for the conclusion. Those hungry for an aesthetic feast would be quite fond of the first half of the movie. Although the previews hint at it, this film is not a spin-off of the matrix, although there were insinuations of influence. Perhaps the Wachowski brothers influenced this film in terms of leather fettish and Dark humor, but in special effects there was little evidence. The azure atmosphere was quite intoxicating and very thick.
However, during the beginning of the story, it was as if new rules to this "Underworld" realm were being invented to fit the storyline. Almost to say they'd ad-libbed the rules of this world for the sake of continuity. This would serve for a very poor storyline, and had me ready to get up and leave, as I'm very big on excellent storyline.
In an instant, the storyline escalated and the story grew thick and wrapped back upon itself revealing some genious writing. I ended up with gooseflesh discovering just how well the screenwriters had contradicted my assumptions. Just as you realize the truth of the vampire/lycan conflict, you become confused. For the first time in all my movie viewing, I had no idea who I supported in this conflict. And I wasn't even choosing between the lycans and the vampires, I was choosing between each and every individual. Fortunately, the resolution of the film brings you to a conclusion. You realize who was behind the deception and who was looking for the resolution. Quite frankly, I was impressed with this story. Especially with how the story deceives you into assuming the plot is baseless and flimsy, and then it hardens and collapses onto you.
The acting was decent, and I can't complain about Kate Beckinsale (Selene)or any of the other female cast. Beautiful women that range outside the typical hollywood anoretic glossy "beauty". Not to mention the english accents. You have to love that. Most every actor/actress was of similar calibur as far acting is concerned. Nobody outdid the other, something I can appreciate even though there were no stellar nor outstanding actors in the film.
This film was intended for those that have a dark appeal. It presents gothic styles along with modern leathers and gadgets. There is a massive market for dark and/or macabre pieces such as this. Modern music proves this. The slight problem, however, is that the "industrial" crowd is typically looking for a good scare and some flying guts. In this flick, you get intriguing effects and mind warping twists of fate. The blood was not spilling. On a personal note, this is the "artistic" side of the "Gothic" genre. I love it, but it does not catch on well with most.
Altogether, I give this flick a 4.0. Most of the success of this film I can accredit to the tickling plot.
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You can visit the official website for Underworld if you need more information.