Trailer Tuesday: Underworld - Rise of the Lycans

You know, I was totally going to rip into this trailer for the third Underworld film, Rise of the Lycans.

For one thing, after 2 so-so movies, filled with derivative Matrix-esque acrobatic gunfights and figure-hugging latex, who really still cares about the battle between vampires and werewolves (otherwise known as Lycans)?

For another thing, they couldn't even lure back the franchise's sexy star, Kate Beckinsale, so Underworld 3 transplants the action to the Middle Ages to focus on the origins of the supernatural beastie feud. Beckinsale lookalike and former Tomb Raider model Rhona Mitra is the bloodsucking brunette babe this time around - fierce warrior Sonja, and daughter of vampire overlord Viktor (Bill Nighy), who falls in love with Lucian (Michael Sheen), the shape-shifting leader of the Lycan rebellion. So expect a derivative Romeo & Juliet rehash in between the battle scenes.


These mutterings aside, and the fact that the trailer uses the exact same Marilyn Manson track as Max Payne (more derivation!), Rise of the Lycans actually looks moderately interesting. The adoption of a Medieval-set storyline was actually an intelligent move as now the combat will either be hand-to-hand or unarmed, instead of tedious shooting back and forth. It also means costumes will be changing to leather, mail and plate - which are always more interesting to look at.

Plus the British cast is a good one. I'm impressed that I can look at actor Michael Sheen and not see British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who he played to perfection in Stephen Frears' The Queen.


Let's just put it this way - I can't say my hopes for the third Underworld film are especially high - it scored a not unexpected 35% over at Rotten Tomatoes. However, I may be willing to give it a chance at the cinema... if there's nothing better showing.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans debuted in North American cinemas this last weekend. It has yet to be announced when it will be released in South Africa.