Believe it or not, Hollywood has been dishing out
Underworld movies for almost fifteen years now and critics have been panning them for just as long. That doesn't stop them from making money, which means there is still a market for these films. While I cannot speak for an entire market, I can admit these films are a guilty pleasure of mine. I enjoy action set pieces, the ridiculous leather getups, and I yearn to uncover more of the mythology behind these vampire and werewolf factions. Then, of course, there is Kate Beckinsale, who is a credit to any film she is in.
Sadly, my interest in this franchise has been waning with the last couple installments, 'Blood Wars' included. They have been bland and Director Anna Foerster seems more interested in rehashing old plot points than in exploring the material and taking the sort of risks that may invite intrigue.
Another aspect I admired about the original
Underworld was its large reliance upon practical effects, most notably for their werewolves. Unfortunately, as the series progresses, those practical effects are increasingly replaced with CG monstrosities and the result is decreasingly engrossing. 'Blood Wars' in particular lacks any standard, let alone impressive, digital effects.
On the other hand, Kate Beckinsale continues to hold up as the series' backbone. She seems just as committed as ever to her role as the Death Dealer Selene (still no last name) even though her scripts seem to grow thinner by the entry. There are also a couple of solid action sequences that made the gothic horror fan in me grin like a giddy school boy.
Grade: C
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