Underworld (2003)

Plot:

The war between the lycans (werewolf) and vampires had gone on for centuries. The truth about whom had begun the war first, was not really clear according to the history book recorded by the vampires.

At the time when this movie began to tell its story, the leader of the lycans, Lucian (Michael Sheen) was believed to be dead at the hand of Kraven (Shane Brolly), a vampire warrior. For this wonderful victory, Kraven was rewarded: he was allowed to be in charge of the vampires on behalf of the vampire elders who were the most powerful of the vampires. These elders seemed to need rest, each in their special vault, and in a certain manner (quite interesting, like they were being re-charged, with all sort of wires attached to their back, neck, etc) for certain centuries.

Even though the leader of the lycans, Lucian, was believed to be dead, his species almost became extinct, the ruthless and vigilant death dealers continued to keep watch. As vampire warriors, their main duty was to find any survival lycans, and destroyed them without thinking twice.

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) was one such death dealer. She was intensed and very focus in doing her duty. Being beautiful, terribly intelligent and loyal, she was targeted by Kraven as his future vampire queen the day he managed to become king. Selene knew nothing of this. She was highly respected by her fellow vampires for her skills and intelligence. Not only that, she was almost like a daughter to Viktor, one of the powerful vampire elders. She felt like she was in debt to that specific vampire for rescuing her from being torn into pieces like her whole family, by the lycans from one of their raids. Viktor after saving her, had decided to pass the immortality of the vampire species to her, then, just a little girl, by turned her into a vampire like him.

While Viktor was having his rest in his vault, Selene pledged her allegiance to Kraven without questioning the elders' decision to put Kraven in charge of the vampires.

In one of her nightly hunts for lycans, she noticed a few strange events. There were two lycans who seemed to be intent on their stalking of a certain human. Not only that, she happened to encounter a place, where the number of lycans present, seemed to be completely unbelievable, compared to what she was led to believe, that they were seriously on the verge of being extinct.

Kraven's indifferent attitude about these odd events, made Selene became more curious and suspicious. Perhaps things were not really what they seemed! Believed that the strange human who was specially targeted by the lycans, might be the key of everything, Selene decided to confront him.

Selene arrived just in time to save the strange human, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) from being kidnapped by the lycans. However, both Selene and Michael Corvin were injured from the attack. Being bitten by one of a very powerful lycans, Michael Corvin's fate seemed to be sealed: he was turning into werewolf.

The encounter with the powerful lycan who injured them both, puzzled Selene. From searching the history books about the war between lycans and vampires, Selene suddenly realised that the lycan who hurt her and Michael Corvin before, must have been the very same Lucian, the leader of the lycans, who had been supposed to be killed by Kraven a long time ago (based on the pictures recorded in the book and what she saw with her own eyes).

Did not know where to turn, Selene secretly woke Viktor (Bill Nighy) up, the same vampire elder who had taken care of her when she was a little girl. Since she disrupted the order of waking up certain vampire elder at certain century, Selene displeased Viktor greatly. Her suspicion of what went on: about the lycans secretly regrouping, of Kraven being the mole within their organisation, of Lucian still alived and well, of the lycans' secret planning to overpower the vampires, which might involve a human being namely Michael Corvin, etc, was ignored by Viktor as un-confounded. Selene was confined to await for a correct punishment, for daring waking up any elders, especially waking up a wrong one. Her punishment was supposed to be properly meted out by the other vampire elders who would soon arrived for their pre-arranged council.

Lucky for Selene, one of her fellow vampires, a pretty blond named Erika (Sophia Myles, who played the elegant and wonderful Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds, 2004), happened to dislike the idea of Selene as Kraven's bride. Erika secretly helped Selene escaped successfully.

Thus, Selene had the chance to find some proofs of Kraven's treachery, to show Viktor. Unfortunately, her proof came slightly late, for the lycans managed to slaughter Amelia, the powerful vampire elder who had arrived with her own group for the scheduled council.

Amelia's blood was drained dry, with the purpose of turning the leader of lycans, Lucian, into a powerful and strong werewolf, who would be stronger than any vampire or lycan ever existed. This could only be done, with the presence of blood come from a certain direct descendant of the ancestor of both the lycans and vampires, whose blood must contained neither werewolf nor vampire diseases.

Before such event could take place, Viktor arrived, and injured Lucian badly. From the revealing of Kraven, Selene found out that her family was killed on that fateful night, not by lycans, but by Viktor in one of his wild mood. Little Selene was saved, only because she reminded him of his only daughter, whom he had killed, because she dared married Lucian, a werewolf, and were pregnant with his child. The war between lycans and vampires began and went on since that event. (Before that, lycans were slaves to the vampires. Their duty was to be "daywalker" guards to their betters).

To save Michael Corvin from being killed by the cruel and wicked Viktor, Selene promptly bit Michael Corvin, following Lucian's advice. (Lucian realised that those two were attracted to each other. That reminded him of the love he and his wife had shared. He let Selene know that, because Michael Corvin was a direct descendant of the ancestor who were with pure blood, if he carried both vampire's and lycan's blood (ie, got bitten by both), he should become the strongest of the two species).

The war did end as Lucian predicted.

_______


The movie was done in a very sophisticated and stylish manner. It had certain scenes which reminded viewers of "the Matrix" and "Spiderman". All horrible images (including bloodshed), were implied or shown briefly via sketches, which enabled the viewers to enjoy an interesting and unconventional plot which was full of twists and turns. The movie was impressive with a good cast, beautiful cinematography, and wonderful costume. Selene character was marverlously portraited by Kate Beckinsale. It was very pleasant to the eyes, just watching her beautiful and elegant figure, as well as following every movements she made, in her stylish black leather cladding.

It was a pleasant surprise to me, when I found out that in real life, Kate Beckinsale (Selene) and Michael Sheen (Lucian) once were in a relationship with each other. Their daughter, born January 1999, is now living with mom Kate Beckinsale.

Kate Beckinsale was so good in her role, that even though I felt sorry for Sophia Myles, being given such a minor role in this beautifully done movie, I had to agree that Kate Beckinsale was the best choice to play Selene character.

Scott Speedman did look a bit fragile for the role of Michael Corvin (even though he was very good looking!). Other than that, all the cast was wonderfully chosen. They were all marverlous in their role.

The movie was a real success.

(Some did point out somewhere, that this movie did not follow all the traditional myths about werewolf and vampire, eg, Selene was not supposed to pass out due to an injury which caused blood lost, since vampires could regenerate themselves. Also to them, it was annoying that this movie only had nights, never days, etc. Me, I think this movie was a real masterpiece).