Writer: Daniel Ang

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Watch this if you liked: “Underworld” series


The producers of "Underworld" have finally released the highly-anticipated fourth instalment in the series, titled "Underworld: Awakening" which features various Hollywood stars kicking ass like Kate Beckinsale, Sandrine Holt, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Charles Dance, to name a few.

For those who do not know what the series are about, "Underworld" tells the story about the war between the vampires and werewolves. Directed by Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein, the first "Underworld" was released in 2003, followed by "Underworld: Revolution" in 2006 then going back to the beginning with the prequel "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans", released in 2009 which saw the departure of Kate Beckinsale. Now she is back for "Underworld: Awakening", which makes it so highly-anticipated.

The fourth chapter is basically a continuation of the previous "Underworld" movies, albeit shot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as Selene, who has been going against the Lycans, a clan of werewolves that killed her family. She soon discovers that the Lycans are pursuing a human to create a hybrid and it is up to her to find out what are the Lycans are up to, while uncovering the plots to destroy the Vampire elders.

The 3D effects were rather subpar considering the hype, with no particular scene that would have made the audience go 'wow'. The cinematography, however, is considered good as it served its purpose in an action film by actually giving the film a fast-paced and tense atmosphere. Then on the other end of the spectrum, nothing can be said about the characters, because they are all pretty one-dimensional, but you feel for them after having followed them for so many movies beforehand.

In conclusion I would say that this fourth instalment of the "Underworld" series fares much better than the previous ones, but I personally would not recommend this movie for those who are below the age of 18 as that there is a lot of violence.

Cinema Online, 19 January 2012