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    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

    • 20092009
    • RR
    • 1h 32min
    IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    153K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,355
    1,406
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Bill Nighy in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the the race of aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers, and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.
    Trailer2:24
    5 Videos
    99+ Photos
    ActionFantasyThriller

    An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.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)
      • Howard McCain(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Rhona Mitra
      • Michael Sheen
      • Bill Nighy
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Patrick Tatopoulos
    • Writers
      • Danny McBride(screenplay)
      • Dirk Blackman(screenplay)
      • Howard McCain(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Rhona Mitra
      • Michael Sheen
      • Bill Nighy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 206User reviews
    • 178Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos5

    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Trailer 2:24
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Clip 1:03
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Interview 0:42
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Interview 0:29
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    Interview 0:35
    Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

    Photos193

    Kevin Grevioux and Michael Sheen in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Patrick Tatopoulos in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Bill Nighy and Patrick Tatopoulos in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Patrick Tatopoulos and Len Wiseman in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Rhona Mitra and Bill Nighy in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Steven Mackintosh and Rhona Mitra in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Rhona Mitra and Michael Sheen in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Michael Sheen in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Bill Nighy in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Bill Nighy in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Bill Nighy in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
    Kevin Grevioux in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rhona Mitra
    Rhona Mitra
    • Sonjaas Sonja
    Michael Sheen
    Michael Sheen
    • Lucianas Lucian
    Bill Nighy
    Bill Nighy
    • Viktoras Viktor
    Steven Mackintosh
    Steven Mackintosh
    • Tannisas Tannis
    Kevin Grevioux
    Kevin Grevioux
    • Razeas Raze
    David Aston
    David Aston
    • Colomanas Coloman
    Geraldine Brophy
    Geraldine Brophy
    • Nobleman's Wifeas Nobleman's Wife
    Leighton Cardno
    • Fearful Lycanas Fearful Lycan
    Alex Carroll
    • Young Lucianas Young Lucian
    • (as Alexander Carroll)
    Elizabeth Hawthorne
    Elizabeth Hawthorne
    • Orsovaas Orsova
    Jason Hood
    • Death Dealeras Death Dealer
    Mark Mitchinson
    Mark Mitchinson
    • Noblemanas Nobleman
    Tania Nolan
    Tania Nolan
    • Lukaas Luka
    Craig Parker
    Craig Parker
    • Sabasas Sabas
    Timothy Raby
    • Janoshas Janosh
    • (as Tim Raby)
    Larry Rew
    Larry Rew
    • Kostaas Kosta
    Peter Tait
    • Gyorgas Gyorg
    Olivia Taylforth
    • Young Sonjaas Young Sonja
    • Director
      • Patrick Tatopoulos
    • Writers
      • Danny McBride(screenplay) (story) (characters)
      • Dirk Blackman(screenplay)
      • Howard McCain(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Anonymous
    vampireslavewerewolfprequelsword fight96 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Every war has a beginning.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Fantasy
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      No mention is made of Lucian's father in the movie. His mother is shown as a werewolf, so there are two possibilities: (1) Lucian's father was another werewolf, and Lucian is simply a mutant, or (2) Lucian's mother was human but got bitten and turned into a werewolf while she was still pregnant, making Lucian half-human and half-wolf (Lycan). Most viewers favor the second possibility.
    • Goofs
      (at around 18 mins) When Sonja is riding out to greet the human nobles and receives her "sharpened" sword from Lucian, you can see she doesn't know how to properly wear/carry the sword while on horseback and the sword actually falls out of its scabbard. There is a quick cell-change as this happens and the sword magically puts itself back in the scabbard and rights itself.
    • Quotes

      Lucian: I've lived by their rules my entire life. I've protected them. envied them. and for what? To be treated like an animal. We are not animals! Is this want you want? We can be slaves, or we can be... LYCANS!

    • Connections
      Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Star Trek/Rudo y Cursi/Next Day Air (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Board Up the House (Renholder Remix)
      Written by William Jordan, Mookie Singleman, Michael Sochynsky

      Performed by Genghis Tron

      Courtesy of Relapse Records

    User reviews206

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Best prequel I've seen and worthy successor
    I came back about an hour ago from the 3:45 showing here in Toronto. I've seen the first two movies, and I have to say I'm glad they brought back Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy; the second film just wasn't quite the same without those two. Lucian is the character you love to sympathize for and Viktor is the character you love to hate.

    I'm so very glad the story was more focused on Lucian as it's a nice change from Selene and Michael being in the spotlight (not to mention Michael Sheen's arguably superior acting ability). As for Rhona Mitra, I won't say she was better than Kate Beckinsale but I can't say she was any less of an asset. Not only did she look great, but she executed her lines superbly. I will however say that I find Sonja's character much more interesting than Selene's. The chemistry between Lucian and Sonja was much better than that of the chemistry between Michael and Selene.

    The story was much more intriguing, emotional and tragic than that of either of the previous two expeditions (this being of course subjective), as many who recall the flashbacks presented within will agree. It was also faithful to the material, and it's good that they didn't compromise for the sake of "improving" the story.

    Overall, I can't think of another prequel that brought such raw emotion to the table, and regardless of the fact that Len Wiseman was not directing this one (though he was at the helm in other ways), you wouldn't know by watching it as it did a good job maintaining the same feel as the first two. The score also added to a lot of the emotion.

    In regards to the possibility of a 4th movie: if they choose to continue on from this prequel as I think they should, they should bring in Amelia as she is one of the few characters that has yet to be explored fully.
    helpful•152
    52
    • overcrest2000
    • Jan 23, 2009

    FAQ11

    • What is "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" about?
    • Is "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" based on a book?
    • Is it important to watch the first two "Underworld" movies before seeing this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 23, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • New Zealand
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Untitled Underworld Prequel
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Screen Gems
      • Lakeshore Entertainment
      • Lakeshore Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $45,802,315
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,828,511
      • Jan 25, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $92,158,961
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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