UNDERWORLD AWAKENING
US, 2012, 88 minutes, Colour.
Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt, Charles Dance.
Directed by Marlind and Stein.
Underworld Awakening is the fourth in the series of Underworld. The original film came out in 2003, followed by Underworld Evolution in 2006, Underworld, the Rise of the Lycans, 2009. There was a sequel to the present film in 2016, Underworld Blood Wars.
This film presupposes the other films and has a recapitulation at the opening, an explanation of the world of the werewolves, of the Lycans, and of the vampires, as well as how they have lived for centuries and seen by humans.
This film is set in the present, humans having had some contact with both lines, police involved, a laboratory with a sinister doctor, Stephen Rea, exploiting the daughter of Selene and Michael, a hybrid, whose blood and DNA can enhance the supremacy of the Lycans.
Kate Beckinsale tells the story again, is seen escaping from a laboratory, is involved rather incessantly in fighting throughout the film, recovering her daughter and trying to save her – and this with the help of David, Theo James, son of Thomas, Charles Dance, head of the vampires who have expelled Selene. There is also the help of a police officer played by Michael Ealy.
Much of the film is action, combat, large werewolves, blood and gore – along with the basic plot which is a preparation for Underworld Blood Wars.
1. The popularity of the series? This episode as the fourth? And its continuing to 2016?
2. Audience familiarity with the series, the recap at the beginning of this film, the role of the vampires and their living amongst humans, the role of the Lycans in their living amongst humans, the war between the two? The moving of this episode from the past into the present?
3. The role of Selene, her parents, her being turned, her love for Michael, his being a Lycan, the birth of their daughter, her being taken, in the laboratory, supervised by the doctor, the staff, the preparation of the vaccine? And the doctor and his past, the death of his wife, his siding with the Lycans?
4. The visuals of this world, the dark world of the alternate species, the darkness of the human world, the streets, warehouses, the police, the laboratory? The action sequences and stunts? The violence – graphic? The musical score?
5. The battles between vampires and Lycans, the visuals of the werewolves, giant werewolves, their dominance, the threats to the vampires?
6. Selene, in the laboratory, her being allowed to escape? Her memories of and love for Michael? The birth of her daughter? The re-emergence of her daughter? Her condition, the Lycan tradition, the vampire? The mixed breed? Her appearance, age, suffering, in the back of the car, the Lycan attack, are being defended, saved?
7. The police, the investigations, Detective Sebastian, his associate? His involvement, supporting Selene, working with her, saving her, the confrontations?
8. Dr Lane, his personality, his laboratory, his staff, the hybrid and his being developed as a monstrous Lycan? His breaking the neck of the nurse? Selene ultimately confronting and destroying him? Playing with Dr Lane? Seeking Selene, seeking the daughter?
9. David, his background, the vampires, his relationship with his father? Intervening for Selene, fighting, saving her? His being attacked by the Lycans? Introducing Selene once more to his father, defending her? His father surrendering the little girl? The mission to save her? His being wounded, dying, Selene reviving him, giving him to his father?
10. The main action of the film in the conflicts between Selene and the Lycans, Selene, her presence, acrobatics, survival, fighting?
11. The situation at the end of the film, the possibility for the revival of the Lycans, the role of Dr Lane, Selene, David and his father?
