Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.
| Shane Brolly | Kraven |
| Kevin Grevioux | Raze |
| Steven Mackintosh | Andreas Tanis |
| Bill Nighy | Viktor |
| Michael Sheen | Lucian |
| Rhona Mitra | Sonja |
| Patrick Tatopoulos |
6.50 out of 10 (24648 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Good flick!
posted on 31 Aug 2009I have been a pretty big fan of the series and I would consider this one the first out of what I would hope four. This one does a good job of telling what led up to the war between the Lycan and the Vampire, yet it still leaves some holes that aren't completely filled in. Still, its worthy addition to the series....even if it is missing Kate. ~grin~
Decent Actions with a Familiar Story
posted on 31 Aug 2009For "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy (both top-billed) come back as Lucian and Viktor, leaders of the two feuding clans - the Vampires and the Lycans, or werewolves. Being a prequel to the previously released "Underworld" (2003) and "Underworld: Evolution" (2006), the third installment of the "Underworld" saga will show us the origin of the century-long conflict between them.
Besides the fans of the "Underworld" franchise, those who haven't seen the previous installments can also enjoy the film as a stand-alone film. Set in medieval times, the story follows the Romeo and Juliet-like romance between Lucian (Michael Sheen), a young werewolf and slave of the aristocratic vampires, and Sonja (Rhona Mitra), daughter of Viktor (Bill Nighy) the leader of the Vampires. And of course there are actions, too.
Steven Mackintosh as Tannis and Kevin Grevioux as Raze reprise their roles in the previous installments. Kate Beckinsale, who played Selene, appears briefly as a cameo.
The fans of the "Underworld" series may not agree with me, but the story of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" falters at times, due to the confusing relations between the Vampires and the Lycans, and some scenes that drag on (Sonja's "love scene" for instance). Once the film sets up the storyline for Lucian, Sonja and Viktor, however, the film becomes easier to follow with several decent battle actions.
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is helmed by first-time director Patrick Tatopoulos, who is better known for his works as creature designer. Though he is not bad as film director who can shoot action scenes very well, he is not the best storyteller either. Overall, the film is fairly entertaining, but with better storytelling this could have been much better.
A complete dissapointment (spoilers)
posted on 31 Aug 2009I was so excited to see this movie but the story didn't fit from the last two movies. The vampires didn't stand a chance against the Lycans and didn't even put up a fight. When the battle came all of the vampires did was run away and yell and scream. They didn't even try. The previous movies made the vamps into this elite species but this prequal didn't add up. It almost makes you wonder how the Lycans were even enslaved for so long. If the vampires were no match for the Lycans why were they making more.
Could have been better but was filled with plenty of action
posted on 31 Aug 2009For all the fans that love Underworld and Vampires this will be an enjoyable movie. If you are a stickler on the little tings like me you will find some inconsistantcies in this movie and the flashbacks/stories told in the first two. They should not have used Kate Beckinsale as Victor's daughter. She could have been in the movie but she looked nothing like Victor's duaghter from the clips in the other movie. Also the flashbacks about the capturing of William in the woods from the first movie was different from the tale told in this the latest installment.
A worthy addition to the Underworld Franchise
posted on 31 Aug 2009This movie is the realized back story for the movie "Underworld". There is nothing revelational about this movie to the storyline of the franchise except for Lucian being the source of the modern day Lycans (ability to transform back into human form). This movie is basically about his development from childhood into the leader of the Lycans and also the love story between him and Sonia (Victor's daughter). The tie-ins of this movie to the other two were very well written. While viewing "Rise of the Lycans" is not necessary in order to make sense of the other two movies in the franchise, it definitely enriches them and basically adds more seasoning.
The action and battle sequences were exciting and very well done. But, while I enjoyed the movie, it lacks the plot twists and suspense of the original "Underworld". The acting is good, although I wish Victor would have had some better dialogue. Rhona Mitra was SUPERB as Sonia. Her resemblence to Kate Beckensale makes the viewer realize why Victor took Selene under his wing (instead of killing her along with her family). Selene is absent from this movie except for the final clip which happens to be the opening scene to "Underworld" (a good transition). IMHO, this movie ranks 2nd in the franchise. While "Underworld Evolution" was enoyable in its own right, the creatures of this franchise look more comfortable (and believable) in midieval times than in the modern day. If you own the other two movies on DVD/ Blu-ray, you'll definitely want to add this to your Underworld library.
Good Prequel
posted on 31 Aug 2009This was a good prequel, but it wasn't a great one. There should've been more info on the love affair between Lucian and Sonja...but there wasn't. Sonja's character should've been developed more...but it wasn't. Lastly, they killed her too quickly. Her death should've been more tragic than it was...but it wasn't. Still in all, I liked the movie and would recommend it to any fan of the Underworld franchise.
The script and direction=awesome
posted on 31 Aug 2009I adored the first Underworld because of Lucian, played by Michael Sheen and of course Selene, played by Kate Beckinsale. To see Lucian's story in its entirety is such a treat, and the story, direction and acting was genuinely moving. Michael Sheen is brilliant in this film, and I must say whenever he plays Lucian I love the way he looks! I was in tears watching this one play out, well done and I cannot wait to own it!
The Perfect Date Movie ... for Goths
posted on 31 Aug 2009Seeing current movies these days is a challenge with a very active toddler. When Valentine's Day came around, we dropped our son off with my parents and I let my wife pick the movie. She of course picked the "vampire movie." Which is why I love my wife.
As a big fan of Kate Beckinsale and the World of Darkness role-playing game, the Underworld series quickly became a favorite. It featured big budget special effects, lots of PVC and leather, and plenty of pouty vampires. It also featured a battle between vampires and werewolves, a concept that was so prominent in White Wolf's World of Darkness series that it sparked a lawsuit.
Despite the lawsuit, Underworld continues to forge its own path, such that it now has prequels. You know your movie franchise has made it when executives are willing to pay to produce what is essentially a history book. Fortunately, this bit of history is actually worth watching.
Werewolves and vampires have always been a bit of a mixed bag in Hollywood. The fact that Dracula could turn into a wolf seems to be one of the less plausible aspects of vampirism that were dropped in favor of the Ricean pouty goth. Thus the ability to transform into a wolf is exclusively the domain of the werewolf. But it wasn't always this way.
The vrykolakas, draws its name from "vryk," meaning "wolf" and lakas, meaning "fur" in modern Slavic languages clearly meant "werewolf." Vrykolakas in other countries, however, is used to describe vampires. This is because of the aforementioned ability of a vampire to turn into a wolf, which can be strictly interpreted as meaning that all vampires are actually werewolves.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans turns this confusion into a plot. In short, vampires and werewolves are descended from the same bloodline, but the vampires have risen to the role of aristocrat while werewolves are little more than beasts. Or at least, that's what the vampires believe. To that end, Viktor (Bill Nighy) the vampire lord treats domesticated werewolf Lucian (Michael Sheen) as his foster son, giving him blacksmith duties that ensure werewolves don't transform with inward-pointing spiked collars. But Viktor's benevolence has limits, and when he discovers that Lucian is having a dalliance with his daughter Sonja (the delectable Rhona Mitra, who still isn't quite Beckinsale but comes pretty darn close), he teaches Lucian a terrible lesson. What Viktor underestimates is the kinship that Lucian has with his wilder brethren, a kinship that will spark class warfare.
Rise of the Lycans is basically what you get when you give a serious goth injection to the elves from Lord of the Rings, rehash the plot from Romeo and Juliet, and steal the feudal arrangement of vampires and their human "cattle" from the World of Darkness series. Nobody speaks in contractions. Everything is viewed through a dark blue lens. And lots of limbs get hacked off.
The real story here is the werewolves. It's their class struggle, after all, and the movie never shies away from the dire consequences of the characters' actions. There is a high enough body count on both sides to make Shakespeare proud.
Vampires. Werewolves. Vampires and werewolves killing each other. Two star-crossed lovers bound by their family allegiances and the curse of their blood. What more could you ask for in a Valentine's Day date movie?
A nice prequel to a much loved series!
posted on 31 Aug 2009
We all know from previous Underworld movies, that Viktor killed his beloved daughter, Sonja because of her relationship with a Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen). So, while this installment didn't offer anything new in terms of storyline, it did allow us to see Sonja through Lucian's and her father's eyes. It also allowed us the opportunity to see Lucian's rise to be "pact leader", but we saw some of the other characters that appear in later Underworld movies (Raze & Tannis), and came to a greater understanding about the divide between the species.
Viktor, the leader of a Vampire clan is determined to use the "werewolves/Lycans" (who he believes are savages and just need to be controlled) as slaves, protectors and workers, all while controlling the humans and remaining one of the most dangerous leaders on the counsel. Viktor believes that controlling these mindless creatures and imprisoning them will strengthen his rule. His favorite "pet" is the strong minded Lucian, a Lycan, who can control his turns from human to werewolf, and who is secretly in love with his daughter, the very independent Sonja. Believing that she has betrayed him (by mingling with the Lycans) and their kind (Vampires), Viktor decides that her demise is the only answer. Of course, Lucian fuelled by revenge, sorrow and regret responds with a swift attack, and soon learns that he has control over both those who are deemed wild and those who welcome leadership. We are soon privy to a battle between the two species that will go down in vamp/were history and prove to be foreshadowing for the Underworld series. And of course the movie ends with the beginning of the Underworld series and a glimpse of Selena (the very beautiful Kate Beckinsale), revisiting the tale.
I enjoyed this prequel to the Underworld series. I thought that Rhona Mitra's portrayal of Sonja was brilliant (and she definitely favors Beckinsale), and what isn't there to love about the brooding Bill Nighy who is all too real in as Viktor (I think he is the best vamp ever) and the long suffering Michael Sheen, who is the only person that I could see ever playing Lucian. I am even hoping to visit Underworld one more time. After all, I am sure that Selena and Michael could fight evil one more time.
Underworld the Truth
posted on 31 Aug 2009I really liked this movie a lot I liked how they explained Lucian's story I think they need to make one with Selene's story and Also one with how William and Marcus became a lycan and vampire.
There was a lot of action which was a good part of the movie the war starting was really neat to see also I also liked how they kept the movie in the med evil times with the castle and people dressing like knights.
Aesteticly Beautiful
posted on 31 Aug 2009I am a big fanatic about werewolfs and This is another movie to add to the classics I think. it gives another look at werewolves that is not mentioned or thought of in most stories and movies. I love the lighting throughout the whole movie. it was beautiful. I was driving home after watching it the moon lit everything just like the movie and I just was hopping to hear some howling!!
Howling good action
posted on 31 Aug 2009This was the dark and gothic prequel to the first 2 underworld films. In Lycan's, we at last learn the origins of the vamp/lycan conflict. We also meet Lucian, the moses-like progenitor of the werewolf species. As usual, there is a lot of action, great special effects hot-looking vamps and somewhat grungy were-men. While I prefer the series set in modern day, this story was exciting enough to keep my attention. Lucian was a sympathetic character, strong, brave, and loyal, and his girlfriend, Princess Sonja beautiful and willful.
The only downside to the film was that I thought the vamps were fairly on the wimpy side. They were easily overwhelmed by the brute force of the weres and even when it came to sniping at them from a distance seemed unable to really inflict too much damage. Vamps should be smart elegant fighters, weres should be rough brutish thugs. It made me wonder how the vamps remained in power so long. Also given the lack of suitors for the Princess's hand was it very surprising that she had a bit on the side with a werewolf?
I'd recommend this for Vamp/Werewolf fans. While it wasn't especially deep, it had plenty of action and adventure.
You can't beat the moonlight...
posted on 31 Aug 2009"Rise of the Lycans" will please action and special effects fans. Those looking for a good story need to look elsewhere. "Lycans" expands on what we know from flashbacks in the original movie. Lucian is a lycan (werewolf) slave to Viktor--the leader of the vampires. Sonja is Viktor's rebellious daughter. If viewers want origin stories (of either species), then they have come to the wrong movie. Expect little more than average acting while watching the monsters kill each other.
Michael Sheen's Lucian is portrayed as a Christ-figure. Bill Nighy's Viktor comes across as effeminate, incestuous, and simply not what one expects from the leader of a powerful vampire clan. And it really amazes me how much Rhona Mitra looks like Kate Beckinsale. But Mitra's Sonja lacks the edge we see with Beckinsale's Selene.
Despite its flaws, "Rise of the Lycans" pulls through to an average rating.
R: Some sexuality; graphic violence.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
posted on 31 Aug 2009Hundreds of years before the first "Underworld" movie, werewolves were slaves to the vampires, led by Viktor (Nighy). The werewolf Lucian (Sheen) is the favored slave of Viktor. They maintain a respectable relationship despite their differences. Unbeknownst to Viktor, Lucian and Viktor's daughter Sonja (Mitra) are in love. They sneak off to be together even though relationships between vampires and warewolves is forbidden. Their relationship prompts Lucien to remove his collar and go after when she is in danger. Despite saving her, Lucien is punished like the rest of the warewolves. This plants the seeds for their uprising.
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is a movie that probably does not need to be made. The story was laid out quickly in the first "Underworld" movie. That being said, "Rise of the Lycans" is surprisingly entertaining. Nighy and Sheen are doing the overacting that fans of the series have come to love. There are plenty of actions scenes. And, this time, the film is a bit of a period piece. Shakespeare this ain't, but I do not think that fans of the series will be disappointed.
You can love it, or hate it. Either way it's Bloody Fun
posted on 31 Aug 2009There have already been many reviews on this movie complaining about this, that and the other and if you wanted to dismember it piece by piece, I'm sure you could also find a lot to pick fault with. Instead though, let's look at what the movie achieves for its targeted audience. A presquel? Seems to be the popular way these days with a good franchise, if you can't move the story forward, move it back, and give us some history. Strange that I thought that had been covered in some detail in the 1st and 2nd movie, but I digress.
Those thinking they will be disappointed by the exclusion of the lovely leather clad Kate Beckinsale as Selene, will not be too unhappy with Rhona Mitra (Doomsday/Shooter). She smolders more than sizzles, but definitely adds some sexual tension, as Viktor's hard to control daughter Sonja (remember the one who Selene reminded him off in the first movie?). Also back is Michael Sheen (fresh from playing David Frost, and English PM Tony Blair) with washboard abs, tight pants and AC/DC's old stage wardrobe as head of the Lycans - Lucien. Best of all of course, is we get lots and lots of Bill Nighy as Viktor. Machiavellian, brutal, sadistic and full of charm. You get a real sense that he loves playing the villain, with an almost campy panache. Visually, it's a little tighter, Patrick Tatapoulos takes over as Director from Len Wiseman. Not that this matters much, as neither of them have much sensibility when it comes to monsters and Sfx.
So anyway, the story - well you don't need to know really, Vampires, Werewolves, Swords, Sex & Action. This was not intended to test the grey matter and usually a movie franchise gets weaker with each installment, but that's not the case here, as there is an almost fresh feel to the story, even though we're retreading old ground so to speak. It IS entertaining, and it will do just that if you can suspend your disbelief enough.
Great fun 4 stars, just ask yourself 3 questions as the credits roll:
1) Why don't the Lycans attack while the sun is shining
2) How come all these immortals seem to be easily dispatched with swords?
3) And how come there is a full moon EVERY night?
Romantic with a Capital 'R'
posted on 31 Aug 2009Romantic literature is by far my favorite kind, and I often come across a movie or other media that captures its very essence. This third Underworld movie does it in a magnificent way: from the heightened feelings of love and hate, the pairings of life and death, to the escapist medieval setting with its castles and woods and ominous presences lurking in the shadows. It's a gothic story at its prime.
Performances are more than satisfactory; especially Sheen, who does a great job as our new-found hero Lucian. Special effects are stunning, especially considering the relative low budget of the production.
Overall, I left the theater very pleased and hope Screen Gems takes us back to the Underworld sooner than later.