What The Critics Say

"Features Kate Beckinsale in the lead role as vampire warrior Selene, her husband in the director’s chair, some very angry monster vampires and some even more furious "lycanthropes" – werewolves that is." Megan Spencer SBS THE MOVIE SHOW "It's less than two years since Underworld hit the screens, but this sequel would be more aptly called a carbon copy. The main difference is that Derek Jacobi brings his gravitas to the role of Corvinus, the father to the brothers who began the whole war of attrition 800 years ago." Andrew L Urban URBANCINEFILE Underworld, an apocalyptic action thriller set in a war between vampires and werewolves, always had the potential of a TV series and it may still end up that way. This epic adventure between the vampiric Death Dealers and the hirsute Lycans is really just an excuse to put Kate Beckinsale in skin-tight leather or latex or any other shiny sexy material." NINEMSN NEWS "This movie has the potential to be an intriguing gothic action flick like the original, but, as happens with many action sequels, may fall into the trap of going over the top in an effort to be bigger and better than before." AIRFORCE NEWS ENTERTAINMENT "If you were a fan of Underworld make sure you get in to see Evolution, but more importantly, if you weren't a fan, make damn sure you get in to see it." Adam Weeks WEBWOMBAT "Am I alone in thinking that this film is better than the original? Evolution is faster and sleeker than its predecessor; the movie kicks off with an action-packed opening sequence and the pace rarely lets up from there. Levels of gore and violence are high throughout." MEDIA SEARCH

The Inside Story If you're thinking of taking in "Underworld Evolution" and are concerned that you may not pick up the storyline in this sequel to the cult hit of 2004 "Underworld" [which returned five times its production cost at the box-office], let me assure you that it doesn't matter one little bit. The production team were smart enough to retrace parts of the story and interweave other aspects that will quickly bring newcomers to the tale of Vampire Selene and Hybrid Michael Corvin who in this edition are being pursued by Marcus who is hell bent on releasing his Werewolf brother William, imprisoned at the order of Vampire Lord, Viktor. "The beginning of the movie is a very shaky place for Selene," says Kate Beckinsale. "Everything she thought for hundreds of years to be true, is not. She’s killed a lot of werewolves in a revenge that was completely misplaced. And now, having killed Viktor and alienated herself completely from the vampires, her only ally is Michael, who himself is struggling with the fact that he’s just become a hybrid." In this sequel, Selene must face Marcus, who makes a formidable opponent. "Marcus has become extremely powerful and he’s definitely got ideas above his station now," Tony Curran explained. "He sees himself as this godlike figure. There’s a moment where he says, 'A true god has no father'. He’s got this wild plan in his head to free his brother, William, the first and most dangerous werewolf, and take over the world with him. Marcus is a serious threat because the only other hybrid that exists on the planet is Michael. No other vampire, human, or Lycan can stand up to him. They wouldn’t stand a chance." This time round Selene explores her feelings for Michael which culminates in a very steamy, sex scene with her Hybrid lover. "I intended for the first film to end with the relationship beginning," admits director Len Wiseman, who also happens to be the husband of the beautiful actress. "There was this Romeo and Juliet aspect in the story of Lucian and his vampire love, Sonja, and then with Michael and Selene. Selene hates humans, so that relationship was not really given a chance until the film was closing. So at the end people speculated, ‘Will there be a relationship? What will that relationship be like? Will it build?" It certainly does! But even the most coldhearted bastard wouldn't deny a Vampire a little love. Or would they? In or out of her tight, form hugging black costume, Kate Beckinsale is an eyeful. Scott Speedman who plays Michael Corvin sees how Selene and his character could make a connection. "Michael is coming to terms with his own power, with the role fate has thrust upon him, and with his feelings for Selene. They’re falling in love and he’s there for her. He’s her support," says Speedman. "He’s still figuring out what he is, but he’s no longer a victim. Instead of just watching and reacting, a pedestrian to all the action, his is now a much more dynamic character." Despite the fact that the "Underworld" made a bucket load of money at the box-office, despite the growing of the storyline, and despite the fact that the production budget was increased for the sequel, it's always a big decision when it comes to making a sequel. This is something the production team were very much aware the second time around. "With a sequel there are such expectations that you’re obliged to make it bigger and better, so that was very much part of the mandate. The budget this time around was larger," says Producer David Coatsworth ["The 6th Day" & "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"], "but not Hollywood blockbuster enormous. The biggest challenge was more on the creative side, getting the right look, getting the right action and figuring out the cleverest way to execute it within our means." That meant making changes, including the look of the film. "This film has a bit more color but in different environments," says Director Len Wiseman. "Underworld was also very urban and kind of claustrophobic while this film opens up. It’s on the run. It’s outdoors. It’s in the mountains. I didn’t want to do the same film over again." Another big decision was to film in Vancouver, Canada instead of returning to Budapest where the original "Underworld" was shot. That presented a few problems. The "lack of European architecture meant erecting sets from scratch," like the monastry seen in the film. The solution? Production Designer Patrick Tatopoulos built one into the rock face on a mountainside. "For the exterior I designed a cross that’s stuck into the rock face, and the whole monastery is inside the rock," Tatopoulos revealled. "Sometimes because you don’t have the cash you have to think of something different, and often it’s actually better. The monastery came out looking pretty cool." Tatopoulos says his job is made a lot easier because he and director Wiseman "are very much in sync together. Len is definitely one of those guys that is very influential in the look of the movie, probably because he comes from our department." Producer Gary Lucchesi agrees. "This guy is a world builder. He’s extremely talented. And he knows what he’s doing. There are very few directors that really understand how to combine live action with visual effects, who really understand both mediums perfectly. Len knows all of that stuff; it’s in his soul." The cast too appreciated Wiseman's vision. "He’s wonderful,” enthuses Sir Derek Jacobi. "He’s got a fantastic eye. He knows exactly what he wants. He’s very detailed, very meticulous. He’s highly complex but his attitude to the actors is very straight. He’s not one of those dictatorial directors who’s hung up on his own neurosis. Len’s one of the gang, the leader of the pack." But what about when it came to doing those spectacular scenes which required stunt work? "It was the stunt guys who had the sore ribs. And I’m glad to say they found a nice double who looked just like me so hopefully all of my friends are going to think it actually was me," says Jacobi, adding "Cause I’m not going to disillusion them." As for the star of "Underworld Evolution", Kate beckinsale says, "I had a fantastic stunt double who did some terrifying things that I wouldn’t have volunteered to do. And even if I had wanted to, I don’t think I would have been allowed. I mean she was jumping off cliffs and God knows what. If it were safe enough and insurable then I got to do it, but Len’s a little bit less gung-ho about that this time around, possibly because we’re married. Pushing your wife off a cliff maybe has a different ring to it." Never the less Beckinsale is a very talented actress even if she have to use a stunt double. "She’s much better on this movie because she’s more comfortable fighting," says Gary Lucchesi. "And Kate is simply a superior dramatic actress. She is the perfect combination." Lets hope that once again that combination works at the box-office. Cast & Crew Bytes "UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION" stars .......
Kate Beckinsale ["Pearl Harbor", "Laurel Canyon", "Underworld", "Van Helsing" and "The Aviator"]; Scott Speedman ["Duets", "My Life Without Me", "Underworld" and "XXX2 The Next Level"]; Bill Nighy ["I Capture the Castle", "Love Actually", "Underworld" and "The Constant Gardener"]; Shane Brolly ["Stomping Grounds", "Connecting Dots", "Underworld" and "Sin's Kitchen"]; Michael Sheen ["Bright Young Things", "Laws of Attraction", "Dead Long Enough" and "Kingdom of Heaven"]; Steven Mackintosh ["Memphis Belle", "Princess Caraboo", "Different for Girls" and "The Jacket"]; Brian Steele ["Underworld", "Hellboy", "The Cave" and "Doom"]; Derek Jacobi ["Gladiator", "Gosford Park", "Two Men Went To War" and "Nanny McPhee"] and Tony Curran ["The Thirteenth Warrior", "Gladiator", "Pearl Harbor", "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Flight of the Phoenix"] as Marcus.
"UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION" was .......
directed by Len Wiseman ["Underworld"]; screenplay by Danny McBride ["Underworld"]; story by Len Wiseman ["Underworld"] and Danny McBride ["Underworld"]; costume design by Wendy Partridge ["Underworld", "Hellboy", "Fantastic Four" and "The Cave"]; production design by Patrick Tatopoulos ["Independence Day", "Dark City", "Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000" and "I, Robot"]; edited by Nicolas De Toth ["Bicentennial Man", "Along Came A Spider", "The Sum of All Fears", "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and "Into the Blue"]; cinematography by Simon Duggan ["The Interview", "Risk", "Garage Days" and "I, Robot"]; original music by Marco Beltrami ["Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines", "Hellboy", "I, Robot", "XXX 2: The Next Level" and "Red Eye"] produced by Gary Lucchesi ["The Mothman Prophecies", "Million Dollar Baby", "The Cave" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"]; Tom Rosenberg ["The Mothman Prophecies", "Million Dollar Baby", "The Cave" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"], David Coatsworth ["Welcome to Mooseport", "The Tuxedo", "Used People", "The In-Laws" and "The Fly"] and Richard Wright ["200 Cigarettes", "Runaway Bride", "The Mothman Prophecies" and "The Cave"]. What It's All About With the exposure of well-kept secrets and the tough resolve of one betrayed Vampire warrior, a centuries-long struggle between vicious predators has reached new heights of fierceness. But it’s one Immortal’s insatiable lust for power that leads to disturbing new disclosures about the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Now Vampire Selene and Hybrid Michael are on the run. Selene must find Marcus before he fulfills his ambition to release his brother who was imprisoned for all time by Viktor. Also seeking Marcus is his father Corvinus. The powerful Marcus has already despatched Kraven, but not before extracting all his memories and relieving him of a pendant that once hung from the neck of Lucian. The pendant is a link to Selene's past. Realizing that Michael is someone very special, Marcus attempts to destro both hm and Selene. They manage to escape and seek out Adrian Tanis, Historian of the Covens, who can explain the pendant’s enigmatic past. Banished for allegedly spreading malicious rumors, Tanis passes his exile engaging in either orgiastic bloodletting or arms brokering with the Lycans. But the trecherous Marcus is never far behind and at long last, he is about to find out the location of his brother William. But Selene is more determined than ever that this will never happen. The Verdict "If you've seen the original "Underworld" then seeing this sequel is a must. If you missed "Underworld" don't worry, "Underworld Evolution" retraces its step at the beginning, giving the uninitiated a good insight into what has already been. While the sequel doesn't quite exceed the original, it is never the less worth having a look and will satisfy fans of Werewolves and Lycans. "Underworld Evolution" doesn't demand too much from the viewer. Recommended." Who's Who?

Kate Beckinsale Scott Speedman Bill Nighy Shane Brolly Michael Sheen Kurt Carley Julius Chapple Tony Curran Christine Danielle Zita Görög Alexander Grant Derek Jacobi Steven Mackintosh Scott McElroy James Melody Dany Papineau Sean Rogerson Brian Steele Christopher R Sumpton Georgianna Tarjan Kaja Gjesdal

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Selene Michael Viktor Kraven Lucian Lycan Fr Cleaner Marcus Tanis vamp #1 Amelia Lead Police Officer Alexander Corvinus Tanis Soren Pimp Death Dealer #1 Death Dealer #2 William Lycan Adr Vampire

The Crew Directed by Len Wiseman Screenplay by Danny McBride Story by Len Wiseman & Danny McBride Characters created by Kevin Grevioux/Len Wiseman/Danny McBride Produced by Gary Lucchesi/Tom Rosenberg/David Coatsworth & Richard S Wright Original Music by Marco Beltrami Cinematography by Simon Duggan Film Editing by Nicolas De Toth Casting by Deborah Aquila/Lynne Carrow/Mary Tricia Wood Production Design by Patrick Tatopoulos Art Direction by Chris August Set Decoration by Lin MacDonald Costume Design by Wendy Partridge Run Time 106 minutes Rated MA15+ Copyright ©2006 - Screen Gems - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved