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List Price: $19.94 | | Label: Screen Gems
Salesrank: 571
Released: May 12, 2009 |
| Our Price: $8.99 |
| Used Price: $3.96 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.
Description of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans:
This prequel to Len Wiseman’s Underworld and Underworld: Evolution is distinctively different, especially minus the nimble vampire warrior star, Selene (Kate Beckinsale). Underworld: Rise of the Lycans takes its cues from the vampire/werewolf battles that occur in the other films, but director Patrick Tatopoulos focuses here on the young werewolf Lucian's (Michael Sheen) rise to leadership. Rise of the Lycans is set mostly within the walls of vampire lord Viktor’s (Bill Nighy) castle, so the film’s silver, black, and blue palette reflects a world happening under moonlight. From the outset, when Viktor brings Lucian, the first werewolf, into the world, this villainous bloodsucker’s daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), is smitten with Lucian’s hairy appearance and instinctual intelligence. As years pass, Lucian grows tired of watching his race suffer slavery and imprisonment, and recruits a human named Raze (Kevin Grevioux) to assist rebellion. This archetypal plot is not so riveting, and what carries Underworld: Rise of the Lycans are the battle scenes between vampires and werewolves, which are excitingly fast-paced and brutal. The whole film adopts a medieval battlefield aesthetic that carries an otherwise clichéd story about illicit love and freedom fighting. Some characters, like the traitor vampire Tannis (Steven Mackintosh), also intrigues throughout, as one guesses who he will ally with. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans may not be the finest film in the werewolf and vampire archives independently, but its mixed monstrosity makes it unique and entertaining, especially on a big screen. --Trinie Dalton
Stills from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (click for larger image)
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Reviews:
SLOWEST SHIPPING ON RECORD-STILL NOT RECEIVED! 
2009-11-09 - THIS IS RIDICULOUS! OVER 6-8 WEEKS SINCE I ORDERED THIS AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND SPARE YOUR PATIENCE BY ORDERING FROM SOMEONE ELSE! MAKES NO SENSE THAT I AM STILL WAITING SO I WILL BE ASKING FOR A FULL REFUND!
Russ' Lycan Review 
2009-11-05 - A good buy, not a great buy. Good story, but you really miss Seline (Kate Beckinsale):( Kate is why most of us started watching the Underworld series, but she leaves us for this one so we can get some history. BOOOOHHHH! A descent movie, will give a B+. Comparible to the 1st, not quite as good, definitely not as good as 2nd (Evolution).
Watch this one first, then watch the other Underworld movies 
2009-11-03 - If you've already watched the other Underworld movies, watching this one will make you want to go back and rewatch the other two. This is a touching history that brings heart into the others. Having the back story really helps tie everything together, and creates a fullness to the entire storyline. I felt like Rise of the Lycans is the one file that created my current enthusiams for the complete series.
great dvd
2009-11-02 - the movie came within the time i was expecting it and it was in great shape and it played great thank you
A SOLID ACTION EPIC 8.25 OUT OF 10
2009-11-02 - This was my least favorite of the Underworld trilogy, but I still really enjoyed this prequel. When I first saw previews of this film, the only thought that came into my head was "Oh God..." I was dreading it, even though I loved the other two films. To my pleasant surprise, it was actually pretty good. Though this is the least of the trilogy, it's still infinitely superior to the God-awful Twilight film in every way, and is a vampire film you should be seeing instead of the insult to all vampire films like Twilight.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The story takes place in the Dark Ages, when the conflict between aristocratic vampires and the Lycans (werewolves) began. When the baby of a werewolf named Lucian (The Lycan villain of the first film) is born, he is taken as Viktor's (The leader of the vampires) slave and is almost raised like his son. He is the only person who can be both human and Lycan, but when he falls in love with Viktor's daughter; Sonja, their forbidden love tears their lives apart, and the conflict between the Lycans and the vampires begins to arise. This film has the least interesting plot, because it's so loose.
MUSIC: Once again, this film, like its predecessors has great music. The music always sets the mood and moves along with the pace of this film.
ACTION: What this film lacks in plot, it makes up for in action scenes. This film is a bloody action epic with sword-fighting aplenty in here. This does not disappoint in terms of action and remains exciting throughout like the previous films.
ACTING: These actors are good, but unfortunately there are some moments of bad dialogue and acting. I couldn't really immerse myself in Lucian and Sonja's relationship because it didn't really seem fully developed. Then there are characters who just seem out of place in this film. For the most part, the main actors are good, but there are other actors who drag this area down.
OVERALL: While it lacks in plot and there are some moments of bad acting, this is a solid and thoroughly entertaining action film that still outclasses Twilight in every way. This film serves as perfect popcorn entertainment for any action fan and should have no problem in keeping the viewer entertained. This was, for the most part, a solid way to end this trilogy.
THE GOOD: Bloody action mayhem, most of the actors are good, and good music.
THE BAD: Loose plot and moments of bad acting and dialogue.
