Underworld: Awakening (2012)

Director: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley

When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.

I must be honest, I wasn’t too impressed with the film’s first moments. Humans learnt about the existence of vampires and werewolves, and declare marshal law – hunting them down. They call it a ‘mass cleansing’.

For the first time, Selene is killing humans. In the past, she’s always been very considerate, but now there’s way too much cold-blooded killing of innocent humans on her behalf. I couldn’t help feeling the humans weren’t the enemy here, yet they are depicted as such. Honestly, what would we do if we discover vampires and werewolves among us??

I also miss Michael (Scott Speedman). He makes an appearance for the first few minutes and then simply disappears. Michael was one of the major driving forces of ‘Underworld’ and ‘Underworld 2’. To cut him from the story line surely would upset fans (me included). We’re introduced to Michael and Selene’s daughter, but – although a unique being – I found her character under-developed and not nearly as fascinating as she ought to have been.

Fortunately the film improves significantly as it progresses. There are loads of action and some truly awesome scenes. The third act is amazing, with incredible visuals, action and excitement. And where does the series find all these actors with their perfect bodies?

‘Underworld: Awakening’ is not nearly as good as its predecessors, but nevertheless still an enjoyable action horror.

‘Underworld: Awakening’ earned $160 million on a $70 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Yes.