‘Underworld : Awakening’ is the fourth installment of the Vampires vs. Werewolves franchise. This film starts out from 2006′s ‘Underworld : Evolution’ as the 2009′s ‘Underworld : Rise of the Lycans’ was a prequel set in the past. Kate Beckinsale is back as the Vampire Selene.
The first film had a plot twist that played a very important part in the war between the Vampires and Lycans. It also introduced a character that was to play a large part in the future of that struggle. But that is where the story ran out of steam. In Underworld : Evolution, the weakest installment, the plot just seemed to stagnate. It’s like they were scared to make any big changes in the story or they just couldn’t hink of anything good to come up with. Like The Matrix, the promise of the first film has not been fulfilled by the sequels.
This movie starts strong and is exciting and well paced. And after the story takes one step back near the start of the film, it then begins moving forward again in a good way. The first two thirds of this film are very entertaining and have a good story. But once again in the third act, the story degenerates into a final scene that feels predictable and no new ground is broken. This is made especially frustrating given the 88 minute running time. Take away the end credits and you have a movie that is maybe about 78 minutes of story. This movie should have been at least a half an hour longer and taken the story forward into new territory. Even the set for the final battle of an office building grows quickly tired compared to the much superior sets earlier in the film.
Underworld is a franchise that has a strong foundation and one of the best takes on Vampires and Werewolves. It is disappointing that the story hasn’t really gone anywhere since the first film.
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