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This fast-paced sequel almost, but not quite, escapes from the middle of a trilogy syndrome. I enjoyed it, the focus was entirely on keeping the plot moving with the action properly serving it rather than big booms and blood used as irrelevant eye candy. Len Wiseman (director, co-writer and husband of star Kate Beckinsale) and Danny McBride (co-writer) even pretty much resisted the temptation to indulge the romantics between Michael (Scott Speedman) and Selene (Beckinsale)
Underworld: Evolution picks up right after the end of Underworld, with Selene realizing that Kraven will be coming for them to pay for Victor’s death. She’s right but Wiseman and McBride elevate the conflict by centering it on the history–the founding–of the Death Dealers (vampires) and Lycans (werewolves) and Selene’s place in it. Somehow (not explained here), two brothers in 13th century Central Europe become the first of each clan after being bitten by the respective animal. William, the werewolf brother, cannot return to human form nor control his violence and so their father traps him and imprisons him “for all eternity” in a secret location.
Marcus, the bloodsucking brother, infects their father (played here, 800 years later, by the elegant Derek Jacobi) and now decides (again, the rationale is not given) that the time has come to free William. He has the ability to take another’s memory by drinking their blood (unique to him? not sure, not explained) and so gets all caught up by drinking Kraven’s blood. Selene, it seems, is the key, the only person who actually knows the location of William’s prison.
The finale is a massive confrontation between Selene and Michael and William and Marcus. Plenty of blood but smartly done. Michael, remember, is a hybrid of both, er, hybrids and, before the end, Selene is transformed into one as well. Despite this seemingly final victory, the last scene left me feeling vaguely unfulfilled and hopeful that rather than the announced prequel McBride and Wiseman will finish this story next.
Beckinsale, of course, is ultrahot in her leather gear.
recommended
