After fans waited for 6 years, Underworld: Awakening hit the screens in 2012 with a completely changed concept. From the original war between vampires and lycans, this time humans become the formidable enemy ready to wipe out both species. And Selene (Kate Beckinsale) wakes up after being frozen for 12 years to find the truth about her daughter.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Twelve years have passed since humans learned of the existence of vampires and lycans. Humanity has launched a full-scale war to eliminate all supernatural beings. Selene is captured and frozen in a lab of Antigen, a biotech company developing a 'vaccine' against the virus that creates vampires and lycans. When Selene awakens, she finds the world has changed drastically, and importantly, she has a daughter named Eve (India Eisley), a vampire-lycan hybrid with special powers. Selene must flee from human pursuers and protect her daughter while fighting against a new breed of mutated lycans.
Acting and Characters
Kate Beckinsale once again embodies Selene with confidence and grace. Despite fighting in tight outfits and high heels, she convincingly portrays the cold yet powerful vampire. Theo James as David, a young vampire who helps Selene, makes a decent impression, though his character isn't particularly standout. Stephen Rea plays Dr. Jacob Lane, head of Antigen, as a menacing mad scientist. India Eisley as Eve, Selene's daughter, performs adequately for a child in a demanding role. Overall, the film focuses heavily on Kate Beckinsale's performance, with other characters serving merely as supporting gears.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
Directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein (though credited solely to Mårlind) use a cold blue-gray color palette to create a dystopian atmosphere that feels bleak and hopeless. Action scenes are shot in a fast, close-up style with slight camera shake for realism, but sometimes cause dizziness, especially in rapidly edited fight sequences. The score by Paul Haslinger maintains the thrilling feel of previous installments, though not as standout as Danny Lohner's work on the second film, but still fitting the movie's mood.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team views Underworld: Awakening as an attempt to reboot the franchise by introducing humans as new enemies, which is a good idea, but the execution lacks depth. The story rushes through establishing the new world and leaves many unresolved plot threads. The new character Eve is used more as a plot device rather than developing into a dimensional character. However, the film retains the franchise's signature gothic action style and Selene's cool factor. For hardcore fans, this installment might be entertaining to some extent, but for general audiences, it may lack the charm of the species war present in earlier films.
Verdict
Underworld: Awakening is a vampire action film that prioritizes thrills over story. Suitable for hardcore fans wanting to see Selene fight again, but if you expect a complex plot or strong character development, this installment may disappoint.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Kate Beckinsale remains cool and beautiful in her role
- +Action scenes are exciting and thrilling
- +Dystopian atmosphere and color tone fit the story
👎 Cons
- −Thin storyline lacking depth
- −New characters are not as prominent as they should be
- −Fight scene editing is too fast and unclear
Top Cast
FAQ
It's recommended to watch parts 1-2 first to understand Selene and Michael's background, but this installment is fairly standalone due to the 12-year time jump.
Yes, in this film Selene has a daughter named Eve, a vampire-lycan hybrid from her relationship with Michael in previous films.
For series fans who enjoy action and Kate Beckinsale, it's decently entertaining. But if you expect deep storytelling, you may be disappointed.
