Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

The Underworld series gets the prequel treatment with this third outing that fleshes out the story of the ancient war between the vampiric Death Dealers and their wolfman counterparts, the Lycans. F/X technician Patrick Tatopoulos (Godzilla, Independence Day) steps out of the effects lab and into ...more

The third Underworld is more traditional "comfort fantasy" than the first two, which put a cool contemporary spin on a new mythology about vampires, werewolves, and the humans who love 'em. This time the story moves forward into the past, with a Dark Ages prequel that's all flashing swords and giant crossbows instead of high tech firearms and car chases. Fans shouldn't mind the change of century, though, because three of the best characters from the first movie are featured, all played by the ...more

The battle between pleather-bound vampires and scrunchy-faced werefolk rages on, this time in a medieval setting, in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. This time, FX guru Patrick Tatopoulos takes the directing reins and, in doing so, crafts what could be the best that the series has to offer. While still far too serious for its own good, this entry manages to thrill without falling back on its second-rate Matrix roots. With no frenetic gunplay and tight close-ups of latex-covered rumps, the picture ...more