Underworld Shines in Darkness
Gothic Lore Takes a New Spin

Usually I have to wait for the end of October to satiate my bloodlust for tales of the undead. This year, Halloween came early. Filled with intrigue, action, and amazing special effects, Underworld is a true neo-gothic fantasy that brings old monsters into the modern era.

Underworld
Kate Beckinsale plays a vampire warrior as a war between vampires and werewolves spills out in a subway terminal in the new action/horror film Underworld. (Screen Gems, 2003)
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Written by: Danny McBride (screenplay), Kevin Grevioux (story) and Len Wiseman (story) & Danny McBride (story)

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, and Bill Nighy

Rated R (for strong violence/gore and some language)
Running time: 121 min.

FilmGuru's Rating : 8 out of 10.

The latest monster movie to hit the big screen is anything but a remake of the old Universal monster movies. The vampires and werewolves in this story have an old world sensibility about them, but everything else -- from the music to the costumes to the special effects -- screams 21st century. Simply put, this is not your granddaddy's Dracula Meets the Wolf Man. Instead, think of Underworld as The Matrix Meets Friday Fright Night.

Kate Beckinsale plays Selene, a Vampiric "death dealer" who hunts down Lycans (that's what they call werewolves) in a six-century old war between the two immortal clans. The Vampires are in a time of transition. Their leader, Viktor (Bill Nighy), has recently "died" and the Awakening of the next leader is due to happen in a matter of days. Selene feels that the Lycans are up to something, but the other Vampires have grown soft and decadent in the absence of a true leader. Temporarily filling Viktor's leadership role is Kraven (Shane Brolly), a steward who seems more concerned with maintaining the status quo than actually waging war.

The world that Selene lives in plays like a strange secret society which co-exists with humanity. The Vampires and Lycans carry out this war under the streets, in the darkness of the sewers and abandoned buildings. The Vampire mansion, where Kraven and his followers are headquartered, has the look and feel of royal court clashing with a modern rave. The majority of Vampires seem satisfied with standing around and looking pretty. No one appears to be doing anything. But behind the closed doors, there is a lot going on.

This is what sets Underworld apart from other movies like Blade or John Carpenter's Vampires. The story is one of alliances, betrayals, and realistic motivations. At one point, Selene asks a rival female Vampire, "Why are you helping me?" The woman answers, "I'm helping myself." No nonsense about what is ultimately right or wrong. There is only survival of the fittest.

The action (and there's plenty) actually appears only when necessary to the story. There are no stereotypical bloodlettings for the sake of shock or horror. When Vampires and Lycans fight, it is for a purpose. This is, after all, a war with an objective.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Underworld is also a metaphor for our own society. Our lines of hatred, whether of race or religion, are equally ancient -- the true origins of which are lost to us. In the end, it is this blind hatred between the Immortal clans that leads to the carnage and bloodshed.

While my expectations for Underworld were very low, I was overwhelmingly surprised. Thinking it would be nothing more than a pleasant diversion of music, special effects, and Kate Beckinsale looking hot in leather, I am pleased to report that it is a remarkable story. This one will likely become a perennial Halloween favorite for me.