Category: Very Good

Messages and Meaning

Underworld: Evolution stays true to the spirit of the series. It strikes the perfect balance of darkness, mystery, action, and sex appeal. The film takes us deep into the world of werewolves and vampires, allowing us to understand their monstrous nature without detracting from their humanity. The story successfully manages to weave a decent love story into the midst of a millennia-old conflict and addresses questions such as how far an individual is willing to go, how valuable it is to preserve our humanity, and when something is evolution, and not just another abomination.

Plot

Underworld: Evolution takes us back to the first werewolf and vampire, as well as their father, to delve deeply into the mythology of our world and firmly ground our heroes’ story in the present day. The film makes the bold decision to pick up exactly where the first one left off, which pays off, and everything unfolds naturally. The villain has a valid motive for his actions, and the plotlines intertwine skillfully so that in every conflict, both sides have arguments that are either justifiable or at least understandable.

Characters

Celine – Celine manages to surpass herself and evolve both mentally and physically.

Michael – Michael still isn’t the most exciting character, but he manages to hold his own in a supporting role within the duo.

Marcus – Though evil and unscrupulous, Marcus fights to free his brother from eternal imprisonment, which deserves respect.

Alexander – One of the few examples of a person who truly acts and sounds like someone who has lived for centuries. He was wise and took the right side, even when it came at a high emotional cost to him.

Important details

Marcus’s transformation into a hybrid due to the werewolf’s blood from the first film is a nice touch.

We get charming vampire prostitutes who manage to be both sexy and funny.

Killing Craven right at the beginning is a bit silly, because it renders his survival in the first film meaningless.

The final battle is legendary. On one side, the first werewolf against the first hybrid. On the other, an elder vampire against the evolved Selene. And all of this against the backdrop of a crumbling ancient structure. You couldn’t ask for more.