The idea of bringing together vampires and werewolves, locked in an epic war that has lasted for hundreds of years is one of those ideas that just shouts "MONEY!" Seriously, how could you go wrong? Sure, we have had these two classic monsters teamed up before, but I do not recall seeing a match-up quite like this before. It was 2003 and the first Underworld was just arriving on the screen. It came amid claims of ripping off The Matrix, among other complaints regarding style and substance. Despite those issues, the film has spawned a franchise and remains popular, if not important, to this day. The film has just been reissued as part of a trilogy set, and watching it now, for the first time in quite some time, I discover it may be more entertaining now than it was then.
Underworld picks up the war between vampire and lycan (werewolf) in the present day. We are introduced to Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a Death Dealer on the hunt for lycans. The hunt leads to a massive gun battle/chase through a subway station and neighboring tunnels. Two important items are discovered. First, the lycans have developed a new ultraviolet bullet to use in their attacks on the vampires, and two, the lycans were apparently tracking a human, Michael Corvin, which is not a usual part of their operation.
As the plot develops, we learn of many underhanded dealings perpetrated by the upper echelon of the vampire clan, of a lycan leader long thought dead, and a plot to take control of the vampire ruling class, not to mention that interest in a human. We learn that the war started over a Romeo and Juliet-esque love between a vampire, Sonja, and a lycan, Lucian. Vampire elder Viktor (Bill Nighy), Sonja's father, would not let that be, thus the war began and has been raging ever since.
While the background is well developed and rather complex, it is all background as this story centers almost squarely on its lead characters. In particular, Selene, whose eyes are opened to what is going on around her, and Michael, a newcomer to this world, oblivious to who he really is. The two develop a relationship and set about their own path as they attempt to navigate the dangerous waters of this war, angering both sides in the process.
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