Underworld: Blood Wars – A Shock Naue Film Analysis

The vampire death dealer, Selene, finds herself once again facing insurmountable odds in the latest installment of the long-running franchise. Having been betrayed by the vampire coven that was her sanctuary, she is now operating independently. Her only comfort lies in the knowledge that her daughter is safely hidden away, protected from the vampires who seek to exploit her unique bloodline for their own advantage. However, when a formidable new Lycan leader emerges, hell-bent on locating Selene’s daughter, she is compelled to seek refuge and potential alliance with the very beings who previously tried to destroy her. This sets the stage for the central conflict in Underworld: Blood Wars, the fifth film within the franchise, including the prequel.

My affinity for the original Underworld film remains strong, and the second installment, along with the prequel, offered decent entertainment. Yet, upon reaching the fourth film, the series’ quality experienced a significant downturn. That particular entry was so thoroughly disappointing that I largely erased its events from memory before approaching this fifth chapter. Consequently, I entered Underworld: Blood Wars with considerably tempered expectations.

For the most part, the narrative of this film managed to sustain my attention. The Underworld series is often characterized by its intricate political machinations, particularly within the vampire covens, and this entry maintains that tradition. We are introduced to Semira, a new and ruthless leader within the vampire hierarchy, who harbors a voracious appetite for power. The complexities surrounding her character and her relentless pursuit of invincibility proved quite engaging. The film also features Marius, a new Lycan leader. Early on, it’s hinted that he differs significantly from his predecessors, though the specifics are initially withheld, adding a layer of intrigue to the plot. The primary drawback to the storyline is the excessive reliance on flashbacks. It felt as though a substantial portion of the movie consisted of repurposed scenes from earlier films. Despite this reliance on past footage, the filmmakers did incorporate some fresh and entertaining elements. While I wouldn’t categorize the story as award-worthy, it was sufficiently compelling to keep me invested.

Selene facing off against Lycans and vampires in Underworld Blood Wars movie poster

As is customary for an Underworld film, Underworld: Blood Wars delivers a multitude of impressive action sequences. The movie was released in both 2D and 3D formats, and I would specifically recommend experiencing it in 3D for the action scenes alone. Perhaps it had been some time since I revisited the franchise, but I perceived this film as considerably more graphically violent than its earlier counterparts. It’s possible the filmmakers opted for heightened gore to enhance the 3D effect, as they demonstrably utilized it to emphasize some of the more memorable death sequences throughout the film.

Regrettably, while the 3D presentation did lend some scenes added visual flair, it did little to compensate for the disappointing CGI. The earlier Underworld films were notable for their effective practical effects and distinctive creature designs. Blood Wars not only overuses CGI but also presents a design for the werewolf leader, Marius, that is frankly comical. His appearance diverges significantly from the other werewolves and is so absurd it undermined any fight scene he was involved in. Overall, the visual effects felt subpar and detracted significantly from a movie heavily dependent on computer-generated imagery. The only effects that were somewhat well-executed were those depicting the wounds in the more graphic kill scenes.

Underworld: Blood Wars features a cast of accomplished actors. Kate Beckinsale reprises her iconic role as the stunning and deadly Selene. It remains remarkable that she has embodied this character for 14 years and continues to perform action sequences capably, even while clad in her signature vinyl suit. Theo James, known for the “Divergent” series, also returns as the vampire David. David demonstrates unwavering loyalty to Selene after she saved his life. While I haven’t historically viewed James as an outstanding actor, I did find his performance in this film enjoyable. The two primary newcomers to this installment are Lara Pulver, recognizable from “True Blood,” and Tobias Menzies, from “Outlander.” Pulver portrays the cunning Semira. Her performance was particularly captivating, largely because she conveyed a genuine relish for her character’s evil and deceitful nature. Menzies takes on the role of the Lycan leader, Marius. As a general admirer of Menzies’ work, I know he is capable of portraying truly despicable villains. Sadly, his depiction in this film made his character appear more like a spoiled child than a menacing figurehead.

If you decide to watch Underworld: Blood Wars in theaters, choosing the 3D version is advisable. It elevates what could otherwise be a disheartening CGI-heavy action film experience into something marginally more palatable. However, truth be told, you wouldn’t be missing a great deal by waiting until the movie becomes available for home viewing. The action is entertaining, and the plot offers its share of twists and turns, but in reality, this installment is only slightly better than the much-maligned fourth film. The filmmakers clearly intend to produce a sixth movie. Given the quality of the last two entries, I personally wish they would reconsider, but I will most likely still attend the next premiere when it arrives in theaters.

OVERALL RATING: 5/10