“Underworld: Awakening” is about as good as the three previous installments of the fantasy franchise. In other words, not at all.
Granted, this fourth outing is a nice change of pace – quite literally – for the series, which is essentially about the ongoing war between vampires and werewolves (lycans). (Bella Swan sure has made a mess, hasn't she?) However, to make room for all of the action, screenwriter Len Wiseman does away with most of the story, leaving the whole thing feel fairly unnecessary.
Kate Beckinsale, who opted to skip 2009's prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” returns in this installment. “Underworld: Awakening” takes place about 6 months after the events of 2006's “Underworld: Evolution,” at which time vampire Selene (Beckinsale) is captured by humans during a mass extermination.
Fast-forward 12 years, at which time Selene is awakened (hence the title) from cryogenic suspension and escapes a medical facility only to discover that she has a 14-year-old daughter (India Eisley). Together, they must stop the people who were once holding her captive from creating super lycans that will kill them all.
Although franchise regulars Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy and Scott Speedman finally developed discernment and do not reprise their roles in “Underworld: Awakening,” Michael Ealy jumps on board as a police detective who lends Selene a helping hand, lowering his credibility as a serious actor in the process.
The primary point of any sequel should be to advance or at least compliment a story. “Underworld: Awakening” does neither. Instead, it dives right into some action that has little to do with any of the events that preceded them thereby coming across as nothing more than a way to make more money. After all, if you keep paying to see them, they will keep making them.
On the other hand, this technique has its benefits, as its fast pace does not afford the viewer any time to think about how they just threw their money down the drain until after the movie is over. As a result, “Underworld: Awakening” works on a strictly entertaining level – even though the entire experience will feel insignificant even to fans of the franchise.
Then again, they only have themselves to blame. And that bitch Bella Swan, of course.
“Underworld: Awakening” (R – 100 minutes) is now playing at movie theaters throughout the Valley. Visit FirstLook.com for specific showtimes.
This movie, which was not made available for review in advance of its release, was screened courtesy of UltraStar Cinemas – exclusive home of Pure Digital Cinema. Visit them in the Valley at UltraLuxe Scottsdale Pavilions, 9090 E. Indian Bend Road, or UltraStar Surprise Pointe 14, 13649 N. Litchfield Road.
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