Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - Hackneyed

What's it about: I'm told that this film wasn't screened for critics in the West before it opened. After watching it one realises the logic behind that decision. An unecessary and forced prequel to the Underworld series, the film takes you back to the age-old days before vampires and mankind battled it on earth.

The story revolves around the evolution of the Lycans a species that's a half-breed, a mix between vampires and werewolves. Bill Nighy returns as the Vampire king Viktor who controls the Lycans.

He meets opposition in Lucian (Michael Sheen) who falls in love with the king's daughter Sonja (Mitra). There on, begins the clichu00e9d story of Romeo and Juliet in a vampire setting that takes some predictable twists and turns.
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What's hot: Fans of the series will be able to relate to the material much more than those watching it for the first time. Bill Nighy does an efficient job yet again as the menacing Viktor, though the same can't be said about the rest of the cast. The vampire battle scenes dazzle.

What's not: The biggest drawback of the film is that it doesnt hold any ground from the start till the finish. There doesn't seem to be a reason big enough for themovie to be made in the first place.

Patrick Tatopoulos weaves an irritating tale of love and revenge that's so dull, it puts you to sleep. The lighting and camerawork is shoddy and weak in many scenes.

Sheen is totally wasted in his role as Lucian. Kate Beckinsale who was the face of the series is clearly missed in this flick as Rhona Mitra tries hard to step into her shoes but fails.

What to do: The weakest link in the series, the film has nothing to offer for the fans or first-timers. I suggest revisiting the first two chapters than watching this hackneyed prequel.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
'1/2
Dir: Patrick Tatopoulos
Cast: Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen