For those of you who are unfamiliar with the previous three films in the 'Underworld' series, rest assured, there is a recap at the beginning of film #4, ‘Underworld:Awakening’. The story picks up with Selene in cryogenic stasis. The world has become aware of the existence of Vampires and Lycans and as such issued marshal law to eradicate them. Selene and Michael are attacked and Selene is captured and held captive, frozen, in a research facility. Fast forward 12 years, and Selene is released with the aid of... Michael? All Selene knows is that she can catch glimpses of vision through her rescuers eyes.
The world has changed. Vampires and Lycans are now hidden deep underground on the verge of extinction. In time, Selene comes to know that those visions are not coming from Michael but from "Subject 2", her daughter (Gasp!). The Lycans want her, Selene has vowed to protect her. The battle begins.
Nobody wears a patent leather jumpsuit and corset quite like 39-year-old Kate Beckinsale (okay, maybe Michele Pfeiffer), now in her third turn as Vampire Death-Dealer Selene. She seems to get better each time around; the Lycan visual effects however, do not. They still leave much to be desired, and with today's technology it’s very disappointing, especially when being showcased in IMAX 3D. Selene’s daughter, Subject 2 (India Eisley), credited as “Eve”, is the first born hybrid in history. When transformed into her hybrid state in fits of distress, anger and self-defence has a tendency to look more like Samara from ‘The Ring’ then a half Vampire, half Werewolf child. Not to worry, she still kicks some pretty serious Lycan butt for a 12-year-old.
This instalment will send fans into fits of ecstasy, and the return of Beckinsale will no doubt see a boost in box office figures that ‘Rise of the Lycans’ didn’t. Those of you who are simply curious or dragged along by said fans will be entertained enough with the non-stop action sequences.
P.S: In the first ‘Underworld’ we saw Selene shoot her way through a concrete floor. Wait until you see what she does with an elevator.