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Underworld: Awakening (2012)

Director: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

Time Out rating

Average user rating

6 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Online

This slipshod re-boot miserably fails to resurrect a vampire series which was already too long in the tooth. Defrosted after 12 years in cryogenic suspension, Kate Beckinsale's slinky Lycan-slayer, Selene, awakes to a world where both Vampires and Lycans have been hunted to virtual extinction by genocidal humans. She also discovers that she has a daughter, Subject 2 (India Eisley), who is being used as a guinea pig by ruthless bio-tech scientist Dr Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea). With the help of a sympathetic cop, detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy) and a handsome male vampire, David (Theo James), Selene infiltrates Antigen’s fortified lab, hoping to rescue her hybrid off-spring. But she hasn’t reckoned with a hulking, genetically-enhanced über-Lycan capable of casually tossing cars and punching holes in walls.

Swedish joint-directors Måns Marlind and Björn Stein, who previously made the preposterous supernatural thriller ‘Shelter’, make a wolf’s breakfast of everything. Not only do they fail to explain or expand the series’ overarching mythology, they completely fail to capitalise on the potential of the new story elements. By way of compensation, they offer surprisingly nasty 3D violence and messily choreographed fight scenes featuring more wire-work than a computer factory. Beckinsale looks as fetching as ever in her skin-tight latex outfit, but not even her much-anticipated return can enliven the proceedings. One feels sorry, too, for striking 19-year-old actress Eisley, whose portrayal of Selene’s daughter is every bit as blank as her character’s naiveté leads one to expect. By the same token, Rea’s hopelessly underdeveloped villain barely registers. Crude, cheap and pointless, this surely drives a stake through the heart of the ‘Underworld’ franchise.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out Online

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User reviews of this film

_Matt_77_ said...

Posted on Jan 30 2012 16:34 I'm very disappointed that the official reviewer has included so many spoilers. What little plot/mystery there is in this end-to-end bloodthirsty action thriller deserved to be kept secret from the reader before the cinema visit, in particular the identity of subject 2. I actually quite liked this film, but it's not in the same league as the earlier Underworld films. It has the feel of being a prelude to something grander, and I await Underworld 5, 6 etc. with anticipation. Shocking to discover that India Eisley is all of 19, as she looks about her character's age to me, but life is full of surprises. Long cat's review (above) is word for word perfect but this isn't a 4-star offering. A good evening's entertainment but with relatively little mystery, intrigue, suspense or truly emotional drama. Kate Beckinsale's character shows her heartless, callous side and (OK, she's a vampire but) she really needs to get on the path to redemption in the next film, or at least take some tentative steps, as it was hard to get behind her as a heroine in this one.

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Marsellus said...

Posted on Jan 25 2012 09:23 I was dragged (almost kicking and screaming) to watch this film last night. Maybe I didn't need to protest so much as the film was far easier to sit through than I expected. Kate Beckinsale looked great. Why have I never put her in my top five? She's up there with Katy Perry and Isla Fisher now! Other than Kate Beckinsale, the action was fairly good if a bit over-stylized (too much slo-mo). Unfortunately, everything else was entirely forgettable. Does anyone know why the film was made in 3D? Nothing stood out. It looked like a normal 2D film. What a greedy attempt by the studio to make some extra cash. A 2-star film that gets an extra star purely because of Beckinsale and 'that' outfit.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Jan 24 2012 01:54 Note it took similar to HAYWIRE and, at my nearest, is on 5 shows Fri (2nd week) 4 w/e, where as the acclaimed but really just an action flick HAYWIRE drops a show to 4...and only 2 sat/sun! A case of no accounting for taste? Or, no Soderberg, not so much OTT praise? I'm in the latter camp, both just silly action pics, both reasonably good. A small victory for truth!

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long cat said...

Posted on Jan 22 2012 16:30 Great action but pointless story leading onto yet another sequel. Beckinsale clad in shiny lycra oozes danger and sexuality combined. 3D? it was a new thing a couple years back but now its nothing special, This would be OK in 2D

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Ian said...

Posted on Jan 21 2012 17:32 You know what you are going to get before you even walk in and the directors don't disappoint. Kate Beckinsale looks great in the skin tight rubber cat suit but that is about the only saving grace in a formulaic vampire slasher movie.
The script and storyline, or what there is of it are poor, the 3d effects seem to have been designed for the lowest common denominator and get there.
The review is about right. Its poor and wil only really appeal for die hard fans.
One to miss to be honest. The faux ending nicely sets up yet another film should this gross enough to justify it.
This film sums up what is wrong with the movies. It brings nothing new and yet of my nearest four cinemas which have a total of 53 screens all are showing this and yet none can find space on those screens to have even one screening of Coriolanus. If you want to see the latter in Birmingham you have to go to either Coventry or Dudley.
I am reminded of the line in the Jam sing Going Underground, the public get what the public wants. If this is what they want then god help us.
Two stars only for me.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Jan 20 2012 18:54 Not sure it will kill off the series Nigel, Fanboys a plenty at the 13.00 show. Me? Not a fan but end to end blood soaked entertainment is to be had (which I think is the point of it) though I have no desire to ever see it again. Reminded me a bit of the over rated HAYWIRE in that respect! 6+/10

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