Spring Break
'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' passes prequel preconceptions
Third installment of fantasy war series impresses fans.
By: Ben Johnson
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Features
The concept of the prequel is by no means a new one. Consequently, it is rare to find a prequel that actually lives up to its franchisef, much less one that exceeds its predecessor. The third installment in the "Underworld" series, however, manages to do just that.
The film opens with a familiar setup. A ruling class of vampires led by Viktor (Bill Nighy) presides over a medieval world. Under their collective heel is the Lycan (short for lycanthrope, the scientific term for werewolf) race, a brutish clan of ravenous wolves that roam the night. Exploiting the Lycan ability to walk in sunlight, the vampires use the Lycans not only as daylight guardians, but as slave labor.
Distinguishing himself as a submissive worker and sturdy warrior, young Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) catches the eye of Viktor. He also manages to catch the eye of Viktor's daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra). But a union between Lycan and vampire is something Viktor will not stand, and it's only a matter of time before their secret is discovered.
"Rise of the Lycans" is something of a departure from the first two "Underworld" films, which were both shoot-em-up action flicks set in modern-day, urban environments. "Rise of the Lycans" plays out as something of a medieval fantasy. It also depicts the events that brought about the blood feud that has already become ancient history in the first two films.
"Rise of the Lycans" manages to impress on nearly every level. Nighy finally received the screen time he deserved to develop the nuances of his unscrupulous yet charming character. Mitra and Sheen also succeed in achieving the kind of on-screen chemistry that makes a tale of forbidden love worth watching.
Having been the production designer on the first two films, Patrick Tatopoulos takes the director's helm for the first time in his career with "Rise of the Lycans." The results are quite satisfying. Taking all the artistic elements that earmark the franchise and transplanting them to another age is no easy trick, but Tatopoulos did a marvelous job.
"Rise of the Lycans" is not really a horror film, despite the fact that it is about vampires and werewolves. Apart from being set in an unspecified medieval age, the movie is not drenched in senseless gore, though bloody battles abound, nor is it bogged down with an overabundance of shadows and creepy lighting. Most importantly, the tragedy that is Sonja and Lucian's love story is not lost in a myriad of swinging axes and flashing swords.
What gives "Rise of the Lycans" that extra edge is its versatility. Fans of the series will enjoy watching the events that caused the war, while newcomers to the series can still appreciate it before seeing the preceding films.
At the end of they day, "Rise of the Lycans" manages to stand out as an epic and tragic romance filled with stunning sets and top notch visual effects.
The film opens with a familiar setup. A ruling class of vampires led by Viktor (Bill Nighy) presides over a medieval world. Under their collective heel is the Lycan (short for lycanthrope, the scientific term for werewolf) race, a brutish clan of ravenous wolves that roam the night. Exploiting the Lycan ability to walk in sunlight, the vampires use the Lycans not only as daylight guardians, but as slave labor.
Distinguishing himself as a submissive worker and sturdy warrior, young Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) catches the eye of Viktor. He also manages to catch the eye of Viktor's daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra). But a union between Lycan and vampire is something Viktor will not stand, and it's only a matter of time before their secret is discovered.
"Rise of the Lycans" is something of a departure from the first two "Underworld" films, which were both shoot-em-up action flicks set in modern-day, urban environments. "Rise of the Lycans" plays out as something of a medieval fantasy. It also depicts the events that brought about the blood feud that has already become ancient history in the first two films.
"Rise of the Lycans" manages to impress on nearly every level. Nighy finally received the screen time he deserved to develop the nuances of his unscrupulous yet charming character. Mitra and Sheen also succeed in achieving the kind of on-screen chemistry that makes a tale of forbidden love worth watching.
Having been the production designer on the first two films, Patrick Tatopoulos takes the director's helm for the first time in his career with "Rise of the Lycans." The results are quite satisfying. Taking all the artistic elements that earmark the franchise and transplanting them to another age is no easy trick, but Tatopoulos did a marvelous job.
"Rise of the Lycans" is not really a horror film, despite the fact that it is about vampires and werewolves. Apart from being set in an unspecified medieval age, the movie is not drenched in senseless gore, though bloody battles abound, nor is it bogged down with an overabundance of shadows and creepy lighting. Most importantly, the tragedy that is Sonja and Lucian's love story is not lost in a myriad of swinging axes and flashing swords.
What gives "Rise of the Lycans" that extra edge is its versatility. Fans of the series will enjoy watching the events that caused the war, while newcomers to the series can still appreciate it before seeing the preceding films.
At the end of they day, "Rise of the Lycans" manages to stand out as an epic and tragic romance filled with stunning sets and top notch visual effects.
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