A Movie Review—Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Despite Underworld: Rise of the Lycans being directed by another director entirely, the film, maintains its high level of quality as the previous installments. It is the prequel the Underworld film franchise deserves. 

Here we look deeper and deeper into the past. More of a honing in on the story of Vampire King/warlord Viktor along with the story of Sonja and Lucian. As covered before in Underworld: Evolution, not all lycans are made equal. Lycans are usually werewolves that can revert to human form while werewolves are wolves who can never take human form again. Right from the start in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans whereas we have Alexander Corvinus and his two later immortal sons having been the originators of the vampires and werewolves, Lucian, on the other hand is the originator of his Lycan species. 

However, it is here that the directorial influence can be felt, instead of sexy, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans offers us nuanced character interactions and scene changes. Which makes for an interesting change of scenery for Underworld fans. Without a doubt, it isn't a bad move since we get to try to understand how Viktor could ever kill his own daughter and the root hatred between Viktor and Lucian.

Standout Performances: Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Kevin Grevioux, Rhona Mitra, and Steven Mackintosh.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Directed by: Patrick Tatopoulos

Music by: Paul Haslinger

Costume Designer: Jane Holland

Genre: Supernatural, Horror, Action