Review: “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”

Seen on: January 23, 2009

The players: Director: Patrick Tatopoulos, Writers: Howard McCain, Dirk Blackman, Danny McBride, Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly, Kevin Grevioux

Facts of interest: Patrick Tatopoulos did the creature design in all three films.

The plot: The film explores the origins of the battle between the Lycans and Death Dealers.

Our thoughts: It’s about time to close the gates to this underworld for good. Patrick Tatopoulos’s prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is not exactly a monstrosity, but the third installment in the series that kicked off with “Underworld” in 2003 fails to offer us anything we haven’t already seen in the predecessors.

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'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' web reviews

The Death Dealers and Lycans return to the big screen in Patrick Tatopoulos' "Underworld" prequel "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," starring Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly and Kevin Grevioux. Here's what some Web critics have to say about the film:

• Ron Henriques at LatinoReview: "There's entertainment to be found in the picture and it does have its moments, because you don't come to see these movies for a dramatic story."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It isn't an absolute travesty, but you are getting nothing new and the repetitive nature of it all only equates to about 30 minutes of seemingly original storytelling -- if that."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "Downplaying the murky Vampire/Lycan mythology that grew to suffocate the previous films, "Rise of the Lycans" is a 90-minute-long horror passion play that benefits from brevity."

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This week's new movie releases - Jan. 23, 2009

Here's a brief look at what's on the movie menu this Friday: Iain Softley's "Inkheart" and Patrick Tatopoulos' "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" open wide, while "Frost/Nixon," "Revolutionary Road" and "The Wrestler" are set to expand.

INKHEART

Synopsis: Mo Folchart possesses a secret ability to bring characters from books to life when he reads them aloud. But when Mo accidentally brings a power-hungry villain from a rare children's fable to life, the villain kidnaps Mo's daughter and demands Mo bring other evil fictional characters to life.

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New 'Rise of the Lycans' poster hits

Even though the release date of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is getting closer with every day that passes, I still can't get excited about the flick.

Maybe it's because I really enjoyed Len Wiseman's first "Underworld" but hated the sequel. Maybe it's the abscence of Kate Beckinsale that sort of killed my interest in the franchise. Oh whatever...

UGO debuted a brand-new one-sheet for the prequel, which focuses on the beginning of the feud between the Death Dealers and Lycans.

Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy and Craig Parker star. Check out a big version of the poster after the jump. "Rise of the Lycans" opens Jan. 23, 2009. Patrick Tatopoulos directs.

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Trailer radar: 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans'

There's a lot going on on our trailer radar today, and the first one we picked up is for Patrick Tatopoulos' upcoming "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," a prequel to the previous "Underworld" flicks.

Director Len Wiseman, Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman are all gone, but Bill Nighy returns as badass vampire leader and Rhona Mitra joins the cast in the lead role.

The story itself hasn't changed much: a vampire chick falls for a Lycan, and before you know it, vampires and lycans are killing each other off.

Final word: Check out the trailer after the jump! I enjoyed the first film but hated the second, and it looks like we're not exactly going to see anything particularly new in this third installment. (Release: Jan. 23, 2009)

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