not for kids
Vampire vs. werewolf prequel is heavy on gore, low on fun.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that teens might be clamoring to see this movie after the succcess of Underworld and Underworld: Evolution -- not to mention the increased interest in all things vampire thanks to Twilight -- but this is no angsty teen love story. It's an all-out class war between vampires and werewolves, and it's loaded with extreme special-effects violence (from decapitations to being cut in half) and oceans of blood. There's also a sex scene in which little is left to the imagination, but it's more comical than explicit.
- Families can talk about whether on-screen violence is less problematic when it depicts supernatural beings fighting, rather than regular people. What about when the supernatural beings look human? What's the impact of watching this kind of violence? Families can also discuss the movie's slaves-versus-rulers plotline -- how does the film's central conflict parallel race differences? Andwhy do you think Hollywood likes making prequels and sequels to popular franchises? Is it just to make money?
The good stuff
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Messages: No particularly positive/deep messages here. The vampire aristocrats keep the werewolves in their midst chained as slaves, and there's extensive discussion of their feudal-like system of protection and patronage. A forbidden, wrong-side-of-the-supernatural-tracks romance is discussed at great length. Discussions of infanticide. A vampire calls a servant werewolf "a credit to your race."
What to watch for
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Violence: Constant, graphic, and gory supernatural violence, including people being cut in half, ripped apart, decapitated, struck by medieval siege weapons (giant crossbow bolts, rocks), stabbed, struck, punched, and kicked. Extensive fantastic hand-to-hand combat, as well as swordplay and neck-biting. Lots of blood, either spilled in combat or drunk as a fact of vampire life. Grisly scenes of characters being lashed as punishment. Vampires are vaporized/immolated by the sun's rays. A character is stabbed through the mouth with a sword, with the protruding blade shown through the back of their skull.
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Sex: Some kissing; a sex scene between consensual adult supernatural beings shields full nudity from the eyes of the audience yet leaves little to the imagination.
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Language: No actual swear words; the clashing characters instead spit supernatural names -- "vampire," "lycan" (the saga's name for werewolves) -- at each other like epithets.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: None, although blood is drunk in extensive amounts.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS - HAIR-RAISING ACTION! GRADE: B-PLUS by MOVIES REVIEWER
I attended the advance press preview last night of this 93-minute prequel to the two prior Underworld movies. Director Patrick Tatopaulos has scored a winner in this dark gothic origins movie about the Lycans and their relationship with the Vampires/Death Dealers.
I was glued to my seat the entire time transfixed by the rich lush production and by the above-average acting dished out by the cast - especially Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy...
The special effects were above-average given that Tatopaulos was a former F/X man(Godzilla, Independence Day, Stargate, Dark City, etc.). However, the fight/battle scenes were muddily choppy - the action hard to follow due to haphazard editing and too many fast close-ups.
Otherwise, the plot/story was palatable - the costumes/make-up were on-target - the set design was spectacular.
VERDICT:
Highly Recommended - especially for sci-fi/fantasy/goth fans.
Not appropriate for kids due to overt sexuality and extreme violence.
4
In the beginning... by Daydream
A history lesson for the Underworld fans, Rise of the Lycans is an excellent addition to the trilogy. Rhona Mitra is just as stunning as the pale vampire princess than she is in real life and Michael Sheen (Lucian) fully envelops himself in his role, leaving no room for error. After seeing Underworld more times than I can count I knew what to expect out of this prequel. The only thing I would have liked to see was when Viktor killed Selene's (Kate Beckinsale) family and the pact made between Kraven and Lucian, but maybe that will be played out in another movie? The first Underworld will always remain the best. See them all, the special effects are out of this world!
5
"UNDERWORLD" ON TOP OF THE WORLD by riptide51788
When I heard about Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, I, like many other fans of the previous two films, was excited yet unsure. I was excited that we would finally be able to see the back story spoken about in the previous two films, but I was unsure if it would be just as I had imagined it from the flashbacks and my own imagination. The good news: it was.
The only part of the film that bothered me was the sex scene between Lucian and Sonja. It was intended to show how happy they were together but it ended up bordering on comical.
There are plenty of fight scenes and some awesome moments that show you how powerful Lucian really is. There are plenty of familiar faces and also many new ones.
If you have the time and like Vampires and Lycans (Werewolves), then you must go and see this film. It is truly worth it.
5
Good vampire movie by tt_232010
I have seen both underworlds. This third one puts a cap on everything. It does a good job in explaining the hatred between the races. The level of action and acting ability was incredible. Great use of special effects. It is however a bit gory. The sheer level of emotions, the time scene and place- I wish that they shown this version before the very first and second underworlds. Again it does a great job replacing the missing pieces. Of course there are somethings that they could have worked on. For instance, the definition of the characters used, and the sloppy fight scenes. These people should have taken a fencing class before the movie started. I was a little disappointed. But it is cool. If your were a fan or liked the first two installments of underworld, you would like to see this one as well. Even if you haven't seen the others, it falls in perfectly with the earlier versions. But seeing the first two installments is a plus, not a mandate. Check it out. You'll enjoy it
4
Pretty darn good. by paxnoctem88
All right, I saw Underworld: Rise of the Lycans today, with I have to say, mixed feelings going into the theater. You see, a few years ago, I found a book, written by Danny McBride, called Underworld: Blood Enemy. And it told the story of Lucian and Sonja. It was an AMAZING book. But I knew, (especially after watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) that movies aren't always like the book, and I didn't get my hopes up, because I didn't want to be let down.
And even though the movie was NOTHING like the book (maybe like five things were the same), it was still rather enjoyable. The action scenes were good, the gore was realistic and not overdone, and the plot was rather easy to follow. It was a good movie nonetheless, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see it.
However, due to a sex scene, and a lot of blood and stabbing with swords, this is probably not the best movie to take the kids too!
5
Very good prequel by Rigamortis
Underworld: ROTL tied into the last 2 movies very well. You meet Lycan and hear about Sonia in the first movie. ROTL tells the whole story of the past. Lots of action and some good slash and bite scenes. If you liked the first 2 Underworlds, then this is a must see. If you never seen the first 2, then this movie will have some confusing parts.
5
Good movie by mnmbedwell
If you like the first two you will like this one. It pulls the story together and helps you to understand the characters determination. DEFINATELY GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5
'Rise of the Lycans' rises to the top! by dariia
I've been a fan since the first Underworld, but the second move - with it's tummy-humping misaligned love scene - was a disappointment. So it was no surprise that I was leery of U:ROTL. I have never been so glad to be wrong!
I've rooted for Lucian since the first movie, and to see his story - as well as finding out the origins of some of the other characters - was great! They really went back to formula on this one. Not only was it a good movie as part of a series, but I think that it would stand well on it's own, too.
Was it as good as the first? Not quite, but it comes close.
I liked the tie-in at the end that brought everything full circle.
Well worth the cost of a ticket - heck, I may even go see it in the theater again!
4
Underworld 3 by MagicianXV
While Underworld: Evolution still stands as my favorite, this was a perfectly good and enjoyable prequel. The plot was tight and consistent with the original and its sequel, and if there were any loose or overlooked story threads, I failed to spot them. Good action and a well-crafted, gothic tale.
5
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - Like the Titanic by alexpax2
This was an incredible movie with one fatal flaw that is inherent in all prequels, you know whom will be alive in the end and who will not.
Very believable special effects, great movie plot and story line, great believable characters.
A must see for Underworlder's or any Vampwolf fans!!!