Film review: Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson
For those who have been following the series, which depicts an ongoing feud between vampires and werewolves, this third film, oddly enough, is the backstory to the first two movies (in a similar way to how the Star Wars series works – ie starting with ‘the present’ then ‘re-capping’ history, in newly released films, years later.)
This is the history of how and why the vampire and werewolf clans hate each other (although both originate from the same bloodlines).
Rise of the Lycans reveals how powerful werewolves William and Lucian are enslaved by the vampire lord Viktor and his court.
William is forced to bite humans to turn them into werewolves so that can be kept as ‘guard dogs’ and chattel. Meanwhile Lucian, who is favoured by Viktor, is kept as a blacksmith and given a fair amount of privileges.
Ironically, Lucian and Viktor’s daughter Sonia are in love, and while this film mainly is used as a ‘history’ piece, it also plays out their love story – which stimulates a revolt by the werewolves.
With the series always being very ‘noir’ in tone – ie pale vampires in pretty costumes, and scenes filmed in grim surroundings, this is an interesting addition. The action scenes and the furied pace in which the Lycans try to be free is what makes it so interesting – as is the sad love story of Sonia and Lucian and excellent acting by Michael Sheen as Lucian.
The movie only gets three stars though as the plot is weak, the dialogue un-inspired and acting by Bill Nighy as Viktor is too affected. Worth seeing if you are a vampire-movie fan. Otherwise, give it a miss and see a more interesting action film.
Further information:
Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans (Official site)
