Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans

After being shocked with how much I enjoyed Underworld:Awakening earlier this year, I decided to drop some coin on the bluray's of the previous installments in the franchise. In an attempt to ascertain whether my new found enjoyment of this tawdry series is the real deal, I've decided to review the rest, in reverse order. So, let us begin with the prequel entry, Rise Of The Lycans. For the uninitiated, ROTL tells the back story of the two central antagonists causing all the problems in the first film. Essentially, the origin of the series overarching feud between the vampire and Lycan races. It doesn't hurt that these two leaders of their respective supernatural clans are portrayed by the fantastic Michael Sheen and the legitimately brilliant Bill Nighy.

Not only does it not hurt, it elevates the whole affair from schlocky time waster to engrossing drama of the highest order. But more effusive gushing on the performances later. The other thing that immediately stands out and separates this film from the less inspired tripe that unfortunately often passes for genre film making is the noticeably elevated budget and gnarly as hell production design. This film is all in and not fooling around when it comes to the Gothic castle atmosphere. Grungy dungeons, weathered castle walls, character defining costuming, kick ass weaponry and armor, this film has everything you want in this sort of entertainment, yet so rarely receive. The world it creates is entirely authentic and fully realized. Without dwelling unnecessarily on its mechanics, I believe in the inequitable hierarchy the vampires have in place and the very real threat toward their power the Lycans being freed represents. Sure, it's technically just warmed over Romeo and Juliet, but how much everyone involved cares about this heightened iteration comes through with astonishing clarity and purpose.

I'm certain I just pushed the hyperbole meter into the red with that last bit, but I sort of mean it. Rise Of The Lycans is vastly more effective than that exhausting exercise Baz Luhrman coughed up and more entertaining than any stuffy, Shakespearean version could dream of. This is a visceral, emotional interpretation of classic storytelling tropes. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl imbued with animal urgency. A dark ages reminder of how evil and callous inflexible authority must be to exert total control. Which brings me to the performances that inject what could be a hoary old cliche with such vitality.

Nighy plays the Vampire king Viktor with such reptile malevolence it's impossible to not adore his hissy, mannered portrayal. Anyone can wear contacts to affect a look, but only a master thespian like Nighy can utilize them this completely. I'm 100% certain he knows exactly what setting of his eyelids and eyebrows will achieve the look he's going for in any situation. He can fully approximate rage, internal conflict, sadness and petulant disdain with his eyes, despite them being obscured by heavy lenses, so imagine the volcano unleashed when he employs his finely tuned and impeccably trained instrument of a voice. Between Viktor and Davy Jones, Nighy has crafted two of my favorite genre characters of the last 20 years.

Now, if you're only familiar with Michael Sheen for playing mild mannered intellects like Tony Blair and David Frost or his hilarious turn as uppity twerp Wesley Snipes on 30 Rock, prepare to be thrown for a loop. His Lycan leader Lucian is a massively muscular presence. Noble, yet viciously intimidating when he needs to be, it is a performance that gives the film immense weight and goes so far as to expand the potency of his character in the first Underworld. He is all charisma and power, believable as sage leader, volatile revolutionary and passionate lover. He shades the broad, swinging for the fences moments with delicate nuance in more quiet scenes, never sacrificing the integrity of either tone. There are two specific, intensely emotional moments where his acting is as powerful as anything I've seen. A tremendously under rated performance if ever there was one.

Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans gets about as close to respectable drama/romance as a bloody, action/horror hybrid likely ever will. There is some admittedly wonky CGI Werewolf business going on here and there, but it's offset by the large amount of magnificent practical makeup monsters and generous dollops of gore. It is a truly splendid film that gives you everything you could want from the cinematic experience. It creates a world full of passion and violence, love and betrayal. It features excellent performances and characterization, superb sets and stunning production design. It's a lovely world to be transported to for a fleeting hour and forty five minutes, and one I thoroughly enjoy revisiting.