Underworld: Evolution

REVIEW
It seems absurd to mention U:E along with Bride of Frankenstein and The Road Warrior in the same sentence. But they all belong to that rare sub-category: the sequel that is better than its predecessor. In the case of U:E, however, that's nothing to squeal in delight about, as the film is nearly as ponderous and leaden as the first one. But it does have cooler monster fights (Underworld 1 desperately wanted to be the Matrix of horror films, and by doing so, left out the horror), and some long-winded but sometimes nifty backstory (the opening flashback is rather exciting, and promises a far better film than is actually delivered). The first film does have a devoted following (mostly thanks to the several DVD incarnations), so the background info will be a hoot for them. Viewers with no vested interest will be watching most of this pretentious blathering through half-moon eyelids in no time. On the one hand, director Wiseman deserves credit for making a non-jokey horror/action hybrid when most filmmakers would have treated the material in a snarky, tongue-in-cheek manner. Still, can you lighten up a little, Len? This isn't Ibsen, after all. On the plus side, the movie is shiny and loud — and once again has Ms. Beckinsale in tight vinyl. And that's never a bad thing.