Underworld : How is feel in 2024? Part 2
Good midnight, vampires and werewolves,
Today, we're here to conclude Selene's story and take a look at the final two films in this franchise. Once again, I revisited these films to see my beloved Kate and to investigate how this story ends. After the first three films with a normal plot, consistent history, and memorable characters, the last two films left me with so many questions and facepalms that you can't even imagine. The last film made me furious, but let's discuss this step by step. Maybe I'm wrong and didn't understand something? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments.
Underworld Awakening
The film was supposed to continue the epic story of Selene and Michael, and the studio was certain that after the third part, Scott Speedman would return to his role. However, the actor still refused. So, the plot was centered around Selene and her daughter from Corvin, Eve. Suddenly, people who had never seen or heard about vampires and lycans found out that the world was full of monsters from the night, and in a short period of time, they managed to eradicate the majority of species.
Underworld Awakening: David and Selene first met
Selene and Michael decided to sail away, but special ops captured the lovers and brought them to a corporation. Selene was imprisoned in cryogenic suspension for 12 years. Fortunately, someone caused a diversion and unlocked her. Selene managed to escape and had some visions as if she saw through someone's eyes. She thought that was Michael. In the process of finding answers, Selene met another vampire called David. He and his coven were one of the last vampire communities that humans hadn't destroyed. Together, they found the person whose eyes Selene saw. It was a young girl, Eve, a hybrid like her lover. Selene became a mother. The trio escaped the town, fighting for their lives against ill lycans, and reached David's home.
Underworld Awakening: Selene fights with Super Lycan
It was very pleasant to see Charles Dance, who took on the role of Thomas, David's father, and the leader of this coven. Predictably, but somehow, the corporation found the vampires' shelter and took away Eve. Also, the Supreme Lycan revealed himself - a giant wolf who was much bigger even compared to William, the father of all werewolves. Selene survived the battle with this monster, but David was killed. Using the supernatural power of Corvinus blood, Selene revived David back to life. In a short time, she and Detective Sebastian revealed the truth. The corporation turns their employees into werewolves. Dr. Jacob Lane, who invented all this, was also a hybrid, and his son was the Supreme Lycan.
Underworld Awakening: Eve's first appearance
In the final battle, using cunning, Selene managed to blow up the Supreme Lycan, while her daughter somehow finished off Dr. Jacob. During this battle, Selene found a cryogenic chamber where Michael was imprisoned. After the battle was over, and the detective decided to detain the police, Selene, David, and Eve discovered that Michael's chamber was empty, and Corvinus had escaped. Selene saw through his eyes - he was near, and she was ready to unite with her love.
Conclusion
Underworld Awakening: Thomas condemns his son
Not the worst plot, you may say. Generally, yes, but in detail, I have a feeling that the authors thought viewers were idiots. There are a lot of stupid and flared dialogues about vampires' destiny, motherhood, and world domination. David, who wants only to fight without a plan, strategy, or even counting enemy forces, costs him his life. But somehow, Selene, after drinking the blood of Alexander, becomes something supernatural, with abilities to revive dead bodies by massaging the heart. Another useless hybrid who did nothing for the whole film but make scary faces. Weak actors' play and absolutely boring characters. The doctor and his son's motivation are absolutely indescribable. Creating a Super Lycan who should use injections to stay strong. His dad transforms into, well, something strange, not a vampire and not a werewolf. The detective who decided, just for no reason, to become the vampire's best friend. And moreover, everyone believed that Eve is so important to the world because of her uniqueness. So sad they didn't know that was the last film we'd see Selene's daughter. Come on, in the third film, we saw that after ordinary sex between a vampire and a werewolf could cause the birth of a hybrid. Damn, how stupid that all was! The only bright spot was Kate, but even this actress performed like she was absolutely not interested in her role and whatever was going on in this movie. I was really disappointed. But I could not even imagine that "Awakening" could be called an okay movie before I watched "Blood Wars."
Underworld Blood WarsÂÂ
The final chapter of this once-promising but now dead franchise called Blood Wars. Meh, for some reason I find no Blood and Wars here, but let's quickly go through the plot. The start of the movie is identical to Resident Evil from Chapter 3 to the last installment. "My name is Selene, I am in exile." And you're right, Kate, alone, rides a bike and gets pursued by a group of lycans. For some reason, she lets them harm her a bit, but after that, without any problems, destroys all of them. Immediately, David arrives, who has been searching for Selene for months and finally found her. He wants to find Eve, but Selene has no idea where her daughter is. That was made on purpose so that nobody could find this information by drinking her blood. At the same time, lycans rise again and search for Selene's daughter because her blood is the key to striking down vampires. Like in the first film, lycans are living in some sort of ghetto. In the first movie, they were living in the sewerage; this time, it's on some abandoned railway station. But still, they have managed to invent different technological staff.
Underworld Blood wars: Selene discovers Michael's death
Vampires, on the other hand, are left in one coven, where power struggles take center stage. Semira is obsessed with power, and her main plan is to get Selene's blood and become the strongest vampire in her coven. A very pleasant moment was the comeback of Thomas, the most rational and pleasant character in this film. So sad his time on the screen was short, and he was killed protecting Selene and David. During the main action, we are introduced to the new lycan leader, Marius, and his vampire lover, Alexia. Together they plan to destroy the vampire coven, and what happens next, I have no idea. Do you feel that the fifth film is some kind of hybrid of the first and the third one?
Underworld Blood wars - Marius leader of Lycans
Selene and David take their way to the northern vampire coven. Settled in an icy old castle, it is home to some quite interesting vampires - they prefer white colors, medieval weapons, and they use some sort of magic and teleportations. There we discover that David is the son of Amelia. Do you remember who Amelia is? Well, in the first film, we saw her for several seconds on a train. She was one of the vampire elders. We didn't know anything about her, but the locals said that she was almost a saint. Thomas and Amelia left two gifts to their son David - a sword and a ring with drops of her blood. Marius attacked the castle to capture Selene. In a short battle, the lycan's leader revealed his power. He was a hybrid! Unbelievable, another hybrid. He gained victory, and Alexia, by drinking Selene's blood, understood that she didn't know where her daughter was. Marius became mad and shot into the head of his enemy. "My way is over," whispers Selene and drowns in the lake when the ice breaks.
Underworld Blood wars: David becomes coven leader
David, armed with his sword, went straight to the western coven to claim his right to rule it. Semira tried to capture power, but everyone supports David and sets her in prison. Lycans attacked immediately, and in an epic battle, they almost got victory. In a critical moment, Selene, who didn't die and was reborn in the waters, arrived at the north coven with her army and got in battle with Marius. Several drops of his blood got on her lips, and she saw the fate of Michael Corvin. Do you remember this guy, right? Well, he escaped but was captured and killed for blood by Marius. Selene instantly killed Marius, and the war was over. Oh, I forgot. David found Semira and killed her in the most stupid way. In the end, Selene became one of the elders and was ready to set a new beginning for vampires.
Conclusion
Underworld Blood war: Thomas and David protecting Selene
Jesus, God, it was so hard to describe without any bad words. Watching this film, I was totally mad. Where is Michael? In the previous film, he was meters away from you. She could see through his eyes, but still, he got killed. I understand that the actor refused to play in this film, but still, this is so stupid. Why did Marius kill him instead of saving the life of such an important hybrid? Four films said how important hybrids are, and the first hybrid was killed like a pig. Where is Eve? Did this actress refuse to take part in this movie too? Okay, she is also very important. So important that no one knows where she is. Whatever, these hybrids all suck. In the last film, we heard that humans reviled vampires and werewolves and killed almost every species. Where are they right now? Lycans raised their heads once again, and humans forgot about the threat? Who are these new vampire coven? How did they discover the secret of teleportation? Oh, I have so many questions, and I am so tired of this stupidity. Even Kate herself was unconscious for almost the whole film, and the main role was taken by David. I think Beckinsale was also so tired of this franchise and asked to decrease her time on screen to a minimum. The only little bright spot could not save this film from disaster.
Is the "Underworld" series worth your time in 2024?
If you've read the first part and compared it to this, you might conclude that I'm a fan of the classic trilogy with its interesting plot, well-developed characters, decent graphics, and thrilling fights. These films share a connected storyline; the first installment sets the stage well, establishing Selene and Michael as a formidable pair. The second film introduces us to additional key figures like Alexander Corvinus and Marcus. Then, the third film delves into the backstory between the Lycans and Viktor, offering insight into the enduring conflict.
However, the last two films veer away from this cohesive narrative, resulting in a weaker connection to the original story. Generally, these films can be viewed independently without sacrificing storytelling coherence. However, each subsequent chapter presents a fresh narrative, often disregarding what came before, which can lead to disappointment and frustration.
Another vampire franchise - Blade
The first two parts are essential viewing, delivering solid entertainment with engaging plotlines and dynamic action sequences. The third installment is optional but provides further depth to the Underworld saga. On the other hand, the fourth and fifth films are best avoided if you're seeking coherent storytelling, as they introduce unnecessary hybrids, nonsensical actions, and frustrating plot developments.
What's your take on this franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments; I welcome differing perspectives. Thank you for your time and engagement in this discussion. Until next time!
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