Underworld: Awakening Blu-ray delivers truly amazing video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
The vampire warrioress Selene, escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.
One, two, Selene's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, these movies are coming quick. Seven, eight, she kills Lycans
great.
Nine, ten, here comes Underworld again. Ah, the joys of movie franchises: repetitive, unimaginative, and lucrative. They come rapidly and
with no remorse, sometimes with no purpose and no reasonable expectations for anything other than more of the same. There might not be as
many Underworld movies -- yet -- as there are flicks in a lot of other franchises, but the cold blue nightmare world of Vampires vs.
Werewolves apparently
has yet to grow old. The franchise now clocks in at four, count 'em four movies, all of them pretty much the same thing except for number three which traveled backwards in time for some fun away from fully
automatic pistols and modern technology for a more brutal look at olden warfare with real deadly weapons. But with fangs and sharp teeth
and an unquenchable thirst for blood and dismemberment, who needs any weapons? Filmmakers. And audiences. That's who. The
original Underworld defined modern movie "cool," the film depicting modern warfare undead and inhuman style, with slick, pretty Vampires
who
could be straight out of Twilight doing battle with nasty werewolves who are as menacing and
deadly as Jacob is pretty. That film was novel, told a good story, and delivered plenty of action. The problem is that Underworld: Awakening
looks and sounds and feels the same. The story is different to be sure, but the rhythm, heart, and soul remains Underworld through and
through. It's up to each audience to determine whether "more of the same" is worth the price of admission.
And someone's hungry, too.
Vampires and Lycans have been at war for centuries, but they have fought a secret war, out of sight and certainly out of mind of Earth's dominant
population: mankind. One vampire, Selene (Kate Beckinsale), is a "death dealer," a powerful vampire warrior capable of great feats, an expert slayer
of werewolves
whom both sides have come to fear. Now, the war between the Vampires and Lycans has spilled out onto the streets. Man has ceased his battle
with one another and
directed his collective muscle towards those that are absolutely unlike him. Humankind has taken the fight to both the vampires and werewolves,
and it's striving to rid the world of both species, with focus on the vampire-lycan hybrid creatures, the first of its kind being Selene's former lover and
one-time human being, Michael Corvin. Selene is used as bait to capture Michael. The operation is successful, and Selene is released from cryosleep
from an entity she only knows as "Subject 2." She awakens into a world largely free of vampires and lycans. Mankind has all but succeeded in
wiping out both species, but the death dealer finds herself caught in the middle of a newly-brewing war that could shape the course of history for
generations to come.
Certainly, Underworld Awakening is pretty much just more of the same. As audiences have come to expect from these films, it's
silky-smooth
and plays with all of the big-budget modern Action movie spit and polish required to mask the thematic shortcomings. The law firm of Mårlind and
Stein directs with an even hand, framing the action just so and providing that handsome flashy sheen that gets the adrenaline pumping even when
the
plot slows down to work through its handful of necessary character development and thematically dramatic moments in between bites and scratches
and gunfire. Yet for as ice cool as these scenes look, for as moody as they may be, the plot comes up a little thin. The new characters are flat and
forgettable; even the child prodigy just seems to be along for the ride and inserted really only for those two or three shots of her transformed self
snarling at whatever it is she intends to fight with eyes blackened and fangs out and ready to bite. Awakening takes the series forward in a
logical progression; the idea of bringing the fight to the surface adds much potential for heightened action, increased tension, and all sorts of new
and
innovative ways to cause Lycan-Vampire mayhem, but the film limits itself to a well-executed but fairly routine car chase on a busy city street and
more
of the typical behind-the-scenes chaos that was so prevalent in the other two modern-day Underworld films. Where's the massive battle in
the
middle of a crowded baseball stadium? How about the fight on a packed human subway car resulting in mass carnage? Get the people more
involved!
Underworld: Awakening
never truly takes advantage of its dynamic, at least not to a satisfactory level.
But at least Underworld: Awakening is comfortable. Fans will find warmth in the cold blue steely façade that covers the movie.
Their blood will pump with the familiar refrain that is Selena's dual full-auto pistols cranking out lead. The inhuman-on-inhuman action comes
quickly and spills much blood. Gore is high, the round count is higher, and the action is put together so that it's fast and and fun but not so
intense and crazy that viewers cannot keep up with who's fighting who or sort out the specifics of the battle. But for the perfected, well-rehearsed
ballets
that are the film's many dazzling action scenes, they're absolutely interchangeable with anything else the modern-day films in the series have had
to offer. But that's as it should be: Underworld, for all it does and the stories it attempts to weave together, has always been about a good
looking girl prancing around in a tight leather suit and twirling guns, blasting anything that looks remotely different than she. Selene is, and
remains in this film, a cold-blooded expert killer who wastes her enemies in droves and does so with style. Indeed, it probably matters not whether
this is Underworld, Aboveworld, Sidewaysworld, or CuteAndCuddlyPuppiesAndKittensworld; if it features Kate
Beckinsale
running around in skin-tight leather, well, it's gonna sell! It just so happens the filmmakers have hit the jackpot by combing said female
with Vampires and Werewolves. The Underworld films are simply Resident Evil movies, just without zombies and with tighter clothes.
Underworld: Awakening features a picture-perfect 1080p video presentation. The film carries over the same attributes from pervious series
entries. It's primarily black and blue with little in the way of vibrant coloring away from Selene's bright blue eyes. Red blood intermixes occasionally, but
otherwise the palette is largely limited to that cold, inhospitable, demoralizing, hopeless dual tone. The image is actually quite shiny, with light reflecting
off of wet pavement and Selene's glossy black leathery outfit, which sort of adds a bright offset to the blue and black scheme. Black levels, no surprise,
are rich and deep, and flesh tones are ghostly and washed out by design. The transfer produces fantastic clarity, natural depth, and visual richness, even
considering its limited color range. Fine detail is nothing short of extraordinary. Seams and fine lines in clothes, complex facial textures, and all of the
little nuances around the frame appear naturally sharp and easily defined. Even the most insignificant details like the evident texture of ribbed hoses or
little scuffs on firearms appear with such clarity that audiences will almost feel as if inside the movie. Sony's transfer suffers from an insignificant trace
of banding but is otherwise free of any unwanted visual accompaniments. This is a fine, very well-done transfer that shows Blu-ray at its best.
Underworld: Awakening sounds fantastic. Sony's DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack ranks amongst the very best the format has to offer. This
one impresses from the opening seconds on through to the closing credits. This presentation defines the modern cinema audio experience. It's big,
aggressive, potent, and exceptionally immersive. Though it's loud and deep, clarity remains perfect throughout. Surround use is constant, heavy, and
involved. The audience feels as if a part of every scene, immersed into every environment, caught in the middle of every battle. The track provides a
nonstop barrage of perfectly-balanced surround sound activity. Whether mood- and location-critical light ambience, the pressurized sensation of
underwater sound effects, music playing harmoniously with the rear channels, or high-powered action, the track proves to be one of the most immersive
around. And
for all the activity it offers, never does the track play as anything but perfectly balanced and absolutely lifelike. Gunfire erupts from each and every
corner of the listening area. It tears through the stage as bullets zip and casings clank off the floor. Metal and flesh impacts, likewise, may be heard
everywhere, and listeners might be inclined to duck for cover. The track also defines its locations with precision. A seaside port features seagulls
maneuvering about, the steady sound of gently rolling waters, and boat horns in the distance. Musical balance is faultless, and instrument clarity is
unbeatable. Dialogue is consistently strong and focused, playing firmly up the middle and never once sounding the least bit shallow or lost under the
heavy effects and music. This track makes fine use of all of its attributes; the added surround channels help to create one of the most seamless and
exciting soundtracks to date. This disc is worth a purchase if only as a top-notch audio demonstration piece.
Underworld: Awakening contains a commentary track, several featurettes, a blooper reel, and a music video. The picture-in-picture extra is
exclusive to the 2D release.
Filmmakers' Commentary: Producers Richard Wright and Gary Lucchesi, Directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, and Executive Producer
and Visual Effects Supervisor James McQuaide speak on editing the film and the lengthy process of retelling the first films in a few minutes, the film's
"camera language," working in 3D, visual effects, budget, sets and locales, the specifics of the plot, transitioning storyboards to film, music, the work
of the cast, and much more. Though it contains five active participants, the track plays evenly and the conversation flows well. Fans will enjoy this
one. Available with optional English and Spanish subtitles.
Selene Rises (1080p, 12:14): Discussions include the return of Kate Beckinsale, her ability to naturally inhabit the character, the
remainder of the cast and the characters they play, costumes, plot specifics, Selene's character development, the picture's ability to mesh deep
themes and lively action, and more.
Casting the Future of Underworld (1080p, 12:33): This supplement examines the two new actors to the series -- Theo James
and India Eisley -- and the film's set-up for future installments. The piece also focuses on the film's and the larger series' plot, the work of additional
cast and the characters they play, and more.
Resuming the Action (1080p, 8:52): A detailed look at crafting the film's action scenes, stunt work, utilizing 3D technology and the
challenges of the 3D filmmaking process, and other interesting tidbits.
Building a Better Lycan (1080p, 10:20): Raising the bar for werewolf visuals.
Awakening a Franchise, Building a Better World (1080p, 18:53): A piece the looks at some of the specifics of the shoot, the technology
utilized in making the movie, special effects construction, the picture's visual style, filming in Vancouver, set construction, and more.
Blooper Reel (1080p, 3:21).
Music Video (1080p, 3:25): "Heavy Prey" by Lacey Sturm Feat. Geno Lenardo
Cracking the Underworld: Picture-in-Picture Experience.
More of the same though it may be, Underworld: Awakening is a pretty fun, slick, well-made little film. It's entertaining and quite watchable, an
achievement for a fourth-in-the-series film, and that these things are still going strong in theaters and not being dumped directly to video is a testament
to the dedication of the series' fan base, or at least to male hormones and testosterone. No matter what, Underworld will always sell if
it's got Kate Beckinsale wrapped up in a tight-fitting leather suit and armed to the teeth with machine pistols. This film's plot naturally advances the
series but doesn't really take advantage of the possibilities. Still, it's a fun and serviceable little time killer that should satisfy casual and diehard
Underworld fans alike. Sony's done its usual bang-up job on the Blu-ray release. Underworld: Awakening features picture-perfect
video, one of the best lossless soundtracks available, and a good assortment of extras. Highly recommended.
Underworld: Awakening: Other Editions
1-disc $17.99
1-disc $44.56
Blu-ray bundles with Underworld: Awakening (1 bundle)
This May, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will bring Underworld: Awakening to Blu-ray. The fourth installment in the action-horror franchise stars Kate Beckinsale (Contraband) as Selene, a vampire negotiating her way through the brutal war between the Vampire ...
