Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

Director:

Patrick Tatopoulos

Writers:

Danny McBride (screenplay), Dirk Blackman (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Sheen	...	Lucian
Bill Nighy	...	Viktor
Rhona Mitra	...	Sonja
Steven Mackintosh	...	Tannis
Kevin Grevioux	...	Raze
David Aston	...	Coloman
Geraldine Brophy	...	Nobleman's Wife
Leighton Cardno	...	Fearful Lycan
Alex Carroll	...	Young Lucian (as Alexander Carroll)
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Orsova
Jason Hood	...	Death Dealer
Mark Mitchinson	...	Nobleman
Tania Nolan	...	Luka
Craig Parker	...	Sabas
Timothy Raby	...	Janosh (as Tim Raby)

Storyline

The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja, in his battle against the Vampire army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | slave | werewolf | battle | castle | 

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Taglines:

Every war has a beginning.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [fr]

Country:

USA New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Underworld 3

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£990,285 (UK) (23 January 2009)

Gross:

$45,802,315 (USA) (27 February 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sketch Films, Lakeshore Entertainment, Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While filming this movie, Michael Sheen was asked by Ron Howard if he could record a quick moment of dialog for Frost/Nixon. Sheen, covered in fake blood from the days filming, went to his trailer and recorded the dialog, he asked someone to take a picture of him doing it and sent it to Ron Howard, who had it framed and displayed.

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Goofs

After Lucian's final fight with Viktor, he steps out on the ledge above all the Lycans. They are all clothed like they were before the battle started. When they transformed into their wolf forms, all their clothes would have been ripped off.

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Quotes

Lucian: I love you
Sonja: and I love you... your face will not be here when this is over will it?... goodbye my love

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Connections

Edited from Underworld (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Board Up the House (Renholder Remix)"
Written by William Jordan, Mookie Singleman, Michael Sochynsky
Performed by Genghis Tron
Courtesy of Relapse Records

User Reviews

All in all? This ROCKS!

What I wanted...I wanted an epically filmed visceral movie wherein thousands of Lycans are pitted against thousands of Vampires in full armor on horseback. Wow! What a great movie THAT would have been.

What I got...was somehow...better. I honestly can't say that I'm disappointed, although I just KNEW I would be if they left off that bit. What they give us is story-driven rather than effects or action-driven. I know that sounds ridiculous when talking about a movie in which action and effects are completely necessary in order to properly tell the story, but in all too many cases, they end up overshadowing the story and eliminating any sense of storytelling. I am happy to say that such is not the case with Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

I won't spoil the movie as so many have. I will say that the obvious parallels between Sonja and Selene's characters are endearing, and Sonja's love of Lucien is breathtaking. The overall feel of the movie is as dark and Gothic as the original work, beautifully echoing the brilliance of that film which caught us so by surprise in September of 2003.

This still leaves a few small questions, and I would have loved to see Kraven make the deal with Lucien and cut Viktor's mark off of him, but you can't have everything, and all in all, this will run back to front with the original. All that's left now, is an extension of the Story of Underworld: Evolution; one that either gives the viewers a satisfactory ending, or perpetuates the species...of Underworld films, that is.

All in all? This ROCKS!

It rates an 8.4/10 from...

the Fiend :.