Like previous entries in the series, Awakening`s plot is pretty much a throwaway that allows the film to dispense with story in favor of stylistics. It`s still vampires versus werewolves, and Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as futuristic badass vampire Selene. The plot progresses based on what is essentially a stylised game of Marco Polo, with Selene separated from her beau Michael (Scott Speedman) after a twelve-year coma, leaving her stranded in a future where both vampires and lycans have been hunted by humans to the verge of extinction. Things get marginally more complicated when Selene stumbles over mysterious child, Eve (Eisley), although we aren`t giving out any prizes for guessing the relationship between the two.
Underworld: Awakening may be a one-note movie, but it`s a pretty impressive note nonetheless. The film retains the icy, gothic vibe of its predecessors, which means washed-out daylight colours, sleek, jet-black aesthetics, and stylised, over-the-top fight scenes replete with gore. Unfortunately, the film`s innately dark stylings makes watching it with 3D glasses virtually impossible without feeling as blind as a bat during certain sequences; fans looking for their sultry vampire fix are well advised to catch a vanilla version, if possible.
The film`s choreography is generally well-done, and Beckinsale brings her trademark physicality and prodigious guns to the fore of the action, which never lets up for a moment. Set pieces range from the acrobatic to the suitably spectacular, particularly in the final battle royale that pits Selene against a freakishly large werewolf.
What ultimately speaks in Underworld`s favour though, are these deciding factors: its bloodsuckers kick ass, and, more importantly, they don`t sparkle in the sunlight.
Summary: Hot vampire chick in latex, exploding werewolves, what`s there not to like?
Rating: 3.5/5 Raphael Lim
Opens: 2 Feb