Ben Hattrell
Having been a big fan of recent made up world films with epic landscapes such as the hobbit and Lord of the rings I felt I had been spoilt to the point of no return and no film could meet them.Rise of the lycans for me is a great film. It builds the story quickly and gives you something to gradually sink your teeth into. To that end, it is not an easy watch as such but encourages enough thinking to keep you engaged and entertained. The action keeps you involved and the romance is limited but apparent. This element could have been further enhanced through acting as I feel the empathy element was slightly lacking. Except for this, the effects and action all seen realistic and the creatures appear very well considered and constructed. The backstory is great and since I had not seen any previous underworld it is very accessible as a series episode. The film makes me want to read about the background a little and almost makes me feel guilty for not doing so before.In summary the film is a well acted, thoroughly punchy action film with a good plot, story-line and effects. It will keep you entertained for the evening regardless of prior knowledge of the backstory or underworld series. Whilst it was not a horror film like I expected it gets my thumbs up.
Thomas Drufke
Why I chose to sit through this series? I'm still not sure. But I do know one thing, this series provides nothing more than some blood, guts, and an occasional cringe worthy romance.'Rise of the Lycans' is the first and only in the franchise to not star Kate Beckinsale, though they tried their hardest to make it seem like she's in by putting a lookalike actress, Rhona Mitra, front and center. Their characters wear similar clothes and have similar makeup and characteristics. Only Mitra's character, Sonja, is poorly written and adds nothing new to the lore of this series. Really, this entire film can be described this way. It was the shortest film, until 'Awakening', and by far the thinnest in depth.Rotten Tomatoes sums it up as being indistinguishable and unnecessary. That just about defines this film to a pulp. We already had flashbacks and a brief history lesson in the previous film to the war between Werewolves & Vampires, and already exposed to how Viktor fits into the grand scheme of things. So, was there any need to make this film instead of a continuation with Selene and Michael? Absolutely not. To be fair, I think Michael Sheen's performance makes the film worth watching. The writing takes his character in a Romeo & Juliet direction with Sonja, Viktor's daughter, but Sheen easily outperforms everyone. And yes, that includes Bill Nighy's once again over-the-top turn as Viktor.The reality is, this series has perhaps never tried to be anything more than a guilty pleasure for the blockbuster genre. There's some solid action, a well-realized performance from Michael Sheen, and a short running time. Okay, perhaps the latter shouldn't be a compliment for a movie, but I guess that's what Underworld gives us.+Sheen-Adds virtually nothing to the series-Rehash of material-Nighy is once again over-the-top-Another pointless romance4.2/10
skybrick736
Unique to Rise of the Lycans compared to the other two Underworld movies is the emotion and testament the writing, characters and atmosphere portrayed. Giving Kate Beckinsale a break and taking the prequel route was a very smart plan, leading to a movie that was better than expected. With Bill Nighly taking a central role it really strengthens the core characters of the movie around him. Rhona Mitra was impressive as well as Michael Sheen, who would be hard pressed for being a lead role in other movies. It is also nice to see on film the backstory that the viewers kept hearing about in the first two films. Although we all know what happens to everybody at the end, the film still managed to hold interest. In no way is Rise of the Lycans an original or memorable film but it is surprisingly entertaining and a better watch than Evolution.
ivo-cobra8
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) is the prequel and an action , horror film and easily my third favorite movie of the Underworld series. There is way more story featured in this film than the other two combined. I really enjoyed the first Underworld movie, but the story was gone so fast by the outcome of the film. This is a great film, it really makes you think, and feel for both the Vampires and the Lycans. Michael Sheen shines as Lucian and his chemistry with Rhona Mitra (Sonja) is amazing. The director and the actors did a wonderful job turning what some could say was a weak plot into a wonderful, action packed yet tragic movie. It's got actual vampires in it along with actual werewolves/lycans! It rocks! The story works well and it's great to see some old cast from the original Underworld make their appearances. This movie is absolutely brilliant and awesome!What I love about this movie? I love that there is more story in the background and what started the whole fought between the vampires (Death Dealers) and werewolves (Lycans) , how Lucian was a slave and how defend the vampires even for a lycan and Viktor (Bill Nighy) betrayed him. He even sacrifice his own daughter because she fall in love with Lucian. I love the mythology and the origins about Lucian (Michael Sheen) are revealed. Rhona Mitra as Sonja, Viktor's daughter did an outstanding performance as Lucians love interest. Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (2009) is the first movie in the Underworld series and the prequel of course to the Underworld franchise. In this movie, this movie basically follows the setup that eventually becomes the first two movies, but we get a little inside in to that all a swell. So basically the plot evolves around Viktor of course played by Billy Nighy in this movie who is the leader of the vampires they have taken slaves of course and the salve art of Lycans, kind a lead by Lucian (Michael Sheen) okay the guy from the first movie. So Lucian (Michael Sheen) has been the vampires basically trusted hand for awhile, he looked down for them, he protected them, but they still treat him like crap! To the point he and Sonja daughter of Viktor kind a breaks a little bit of rules Lucian, has him punished in a doorman jail, Lucian than decides to go throw a rebellion against Viktor of course! Also keep a hiding in the fact that Lucian and Sonja kind a head a thing going on from Viktor and until of course one them vampire henchman finds out it and try's to blackmail them before Viktor finds out about it.This movie is pretty good! It is pretty, pretty good, I actually kind a enjoy it a little bit more than Awakening because was the worst one in the franchise, so yea... I actually kind a enjoy It, I like the acting in this movie granted. Kate Beckinsale is in here as the narrator in the end of the movie of course already if you noticed it is been out since 2009. The girl that plays Sonja she does okay, the problem is she doesn't have that impact, that Selene has you know I didn't really feel an impact from her, she is just there to get the aspect the story down and basically dies that's about it! That's about it for her. Lucian however the guy who was in the first movie, but didn't had a very a lot to do in that movie, is actually the main focus here, he actually does a great job! It is good to see him again too, after all this years! Basically was like 7.years since the first film, so it was actually pretty good to see him again in this film. And again that big, bald black head dude is back again from the first movie, he is actually pretty good too! Now the effects it is 2009 now, some of the effects are still particular, but a little you can tell a CGI, some of the Lycans are CGI in this movie, which kind a sucks. But I can see why they have to be CGI, special for the ending of the movie I can understand, that part you couldn't have that many guys running around in prosthetic's so eventfully some of them have to be CGI! I am okay with that, it didn't do anything to hurt the story or anything like that it was just, it was need it, I have to say that part. Butt all of that it is not bad entry in to the Underworld franchise, it could have been a little better tough, so I am still sticking to my guns of the first two are the superior movies in the series so far, but this one is a close third so I am gonna give Ryse of lycans 10 because I love those 3.films and they are pretty good! I love the first two superior films this one is close as the third favorite film. I think director Patrick Tatopoulos did a great job close as Len Wiseman, but Len Wiseman still did a better job directing the first two movies. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a 2009 American action horror film directed by Patrick Tatopoulos. It is the third (chronologically, the first) installment and the prequel to the Underworld film series.8/10 Grade: A Studio: Screen Gems, Lakeshore Entertainment Starring: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Kevin Grevioux, Steven Mackintosh, Kate Beckinsale Director: Patrick Tatopoulos Producers: Len Wiseman, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Skip Williamson Screenplay: Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman, Howard McCain Story: Len Wiseman, Robert Orr, Danny McBride Rated: R Running Time: 1 Hr. 32 Mins. Budget: $35.000.000 Box Office: $45.802.315
