Underworld: Awakening - (January 20, 2012): R
Distributor: Screen Gems (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Opening Weekend Box Office: #1 with $25,306,725
Domestic Box Office Gross to-date: $32,625,613
Gross Revenue: $46,025,613
Production Budget: $70 million
Directors: Mars Marlind and Bjorn Stein
Even though I enjoyed 2009’s Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Kate Beckinsale’s absence was a definite shortcoming; so I, along with no doubt hundreds of fans, was thrilled when it was announced that the gorgeous actress would be returning to the series in this newest sequel. Having seen each Underworld film numerous times, I consider myself well-versed in the universe’s mythology, so I was not only curious to see how the story could develop further, but I was also eager to see vampires and werewolves (Lycans) again portrayed in the darker and grittier light that the Twilight series has been trampling on for years. And, given her spectacular miscasting as a damsel-in-distress in the utterly disappointing Contraband, I couldn’t wait for Beckinsale to pick up her weapons and start kicking ass again in the same way that helped make her famous. As the first true franchise entry of 2012, Screen Gems would undoubtedly benefit from audience familiarity, not to mention that 3D and IMAX offerings would sweeten the deal for any action and violence junkies looking for something entertaining at the theater. After being substantially disappointed by Haywire, I was praying that Underworld: Awakening would deliver so that Beckinsale could again demonstrate how a female star is supposed to lead an action thriller.
As the fourth installment in the Underworld films series, Awakening picks up six months after the events of 2006’s Evolution, where vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is captured by humans during “The Purge,” a mass extermination of both immortal bloodlines; as a result, both vampires and Lycans are hunted with impunity. Placed in cryogenic suspension, Selene awakens twelve years later as a prisoner of a medical corporation, Antigen, which is actively experimenting to make a cure for both vampirism and lycanthropy. Selene is freed by a mysterious prisoner known only as “Subject 2,” and upon her escape, Selene discovers that “Subject 2” is none other than Eve (Sandrine Holt), the hybrid daughter that she shares with Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), who has been reported dead for years. Finding both vampires and Lycans nearly extinct in this strange future, Selene struggles to cope with her daughter and escape pursuit by both the head scientist of Antigen, Dr. Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea), and an idealistic human police officer, Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy). Seeking out a new vampire coven, Selene soon uncovers a sinister plot when a mutated form of Lycan emerges, thereby revealing hidden work at Antigen and threatening the safety of this former Death Dealer’s new family.
The trailers for Underworld: Awakening promised significant and mind-boggling action, and I am happy to report that this sequel more than delivered, with near non-stop violence and brutality that is only further enhanced in 3D. In an almost shameless attempt to appeal to a male audience’s baser instincts, Awakening showcases enough gun fights, explosions, and gory monster battles to keep the narrative’s level of energy through the roof for the entire run time, making this sequel the strongest action offering of the series. Kate Beckinsale is undeniably in her element as Selene, brutally dispatching every adversary that crosses her path while remaining unbelievably sexy, reminding audiences why they love the character in the first place. Speaking strictly to the horror and mythology elements of the narrative, the film delves deeper into the dark themes surrounding vampires and werewolves, and that fact is just downright cool and sure to entertain fans of the franchise. As nice as it was to sit back and enjoy familiar characters engaging in impressive action sequences, I cannot ignore the fact that Underworld: Awakening leaves quite a bit to be desired in terms of story.
In comparison to the other entries in the Underworld series, Awakening is by far the most razor-thin in terms of story, but that criticism has to be taken in consideration of the deep narratives that characterized the prequels. Over the course of the first three Underworld films, filmmakers went out of their way to set up the rules, guidelines, and history of a centuries-long battle between werewolves and vampires, so with all of that out of the way, the only thing left for Awakening to showcase was action and violence. It is almost as if audiences are being rewarded with the chance to turn off their brains and enjoy mythical creatures simply kicking the crap out of each other…as long as they had previously invested their time and energy in understanding the set-up and subtleties of the series. That being said, if you have never seen an Underworld film before, have no clue what a Death Dealer is, or have little interest in seeing Kate Beckinsale take on an army of immortals, then this sequel isn’t going to offer you much in the form of entertainment. Plain and simple, Underworld: Awakening was clearly made for the enjoyment of fans of the franchise, and they are the ones who will most appreciate the lean and exciting horror action film offered.
From a box office perspective, opening weekend numbers for Underworld: Awakening show that there are still plenty of people out there who believe that vampires are better suited to kill monstrous wolves rather than simply sparkle and complain about romance. In its first weekend, this newest Underworld sequel generated an impressive $25 million, outperforming significant competition in the form of Haywire, Red Tails, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Hopefully positive word of mouth will continue to drive audience attendance and keep Beckinsale in her title of top action heroine for a few more weeks. The story leaves plenty open for another sequel, and barring some unforeseen tragedy, this newest horror thriller should generate more than enough revenue to justify green lighting a fifth entry. If you are in any way a fan of the Underworld films, the simple truth is that you cannot afford to miss Underworld: Awakening.
Overall Recommendation: High
