UNDERWORLD
Kate’ s back as Selene in Underworld Blood Wars!
Like Resident Evil, the Underworld film started out in the early part of 2000 and featured a strong female lead. Rather then zombies, we see vampires and werewolves featured, with Kate Beckinsale as Selene, a Death Dealer who kills Lycans( werewolves) who she believes killed her family.
The first film, Underworld, directed by Len Wiseman and written by Danny McBride sees Selene hunting Lycans. With a budget of just $ 22 million the film went on to gross $ 95 million, although critics generally were negative. The rich visuals and gothic stylings, however, stood out and were praised.
The film delves deeply into vampire and werewolf lore and as critic Andrew O’ Hehir conceded that despite the movie’ s flaws, the complex vampire-werewolf mythology back-story“ has been meticulously worked out.”
There’ s a lot of gothic architecture, lots of leather wearing and drama by the vampires with gory fight scenes. Beckinsale is spot on as Selene and moves with grace and determination according to her character.
In 2006 Underworld: Evolution was released and again featured Beckinsale as Selene. The plot is detailed and complex, take a look here:
https:// en. wikipedia. org / wiki / Underworld:_ Evolution
With a budget of $ 45 million it went to to make $ 111.3 million but again was not well received by critics. Fans loved it and this led to Underworld: Rise of the Lycans in 2009- a prequel to the original and did not feature Beckinsale as the story was not based on her character but was narrated by her. Instead we see Rhona Mitra as Sonja, Viktor’ s daughter who falls in love with Lucian, the first werewolf capable of taking human form.
With a budget of $ 35 million, it went on to make $ 91 million at the box office.
In 2012 Beckinsale reprised her role as Selene in Underworld: Awakening. Filmed in 3D, IMAX 3D and 2D. The story is set six months after Evolution and in this film the general public and government are now aware of the existence of werewolves and vampires. The government commences a program to harness the powers of both and Selene is then imprisoned in cryogenic suspension. Twelve years later, she manages to escape, fighting her way through tunnels infested with Lycans.
The film had a budget of $ 70 million and made $ 160 million at the box office. It’ s a fast paced action film, again with lot’ s of leather costumes and blood and gore.
The success of the series sees the next title about to be released: Underworld Blood Wars. Again with Kate Beckinsale as Selene. The film is due for release in January 2017.
There’ s a bunch of clips here: instagram. com / underworldmovie / and look out for ticket giveaways in this issue of Live Magazine.