Underworld: Awakening Review: A Bloated, Irrelevant Chapter

Introduction

Venturing through a "Snowmageddon" to witness Underworld: Awakening might sound like dedication, but for many, the initial skepticism proved prescient. The trailer alone sparked questions of relevance, a sentiment only solidified after viewing. This installment, rather than building on its predecessors, feels like a detour into narrative irrelevance, a point underscored by a synopsis that wildly misrepresents the actual film.

Audiences were led to believe a grand war between species would unfold, with Kate Beckinsale's Selene leading the charge against humanity. Instead, that epic conflict is relegated to a brief, opening montage—a two-minute backstory that has "nothing to do with this movie." The real plot? Selene protecting a little girl from Lycans, a narrative thread so thin it feels like a standalone episode rather than a crucial chapter in a beloved saga.

The Lead Dynamic & The Action

While Kate Beckinsale returns as the iconic Selene, the film struggles to establish any compelling character dynamics. The focus shifts heavily to action, yet even these sequences often miss the mark. Selene dispatches numerous Lycans with her signature ferocity, but one particular encounter stands out for all the wrong reasons: a confrontation with an "enormous" Lycan, described as "two or three times bigger than any Lycan you've ever seen." This moment, rather than thrilling, evokes the feeling of a "video game boss battle"—a series of smaller enemies followed by a disproportionately large, climactic foe. It's a design choice that pulls viewers out of the cinematic experience and into a digital one, irritating rather than engaging.

Cameos, Nostalgia & Narrative Stakes

Underworld: Awakening attempts to bridge the gap from previous films with a brief montage, but ultimately, it feels entirely disconnected. The promise of Selene as a "Daywalker" from Underworld: Evolution is quickly sidelined. The film introduces a "great purging" where humans hunt vampires and Lycans, yet this intriguing premise is merely background noise. The core narrative—a child in danger—feels like a generic plot device, lacking the deep lore connections or character stakes that defined earlier entries. The reviewer notes that the film has "nothing to do with Corvinus," "nothing to do with Lucian," and "nothing to do with Selene's past." It's akin to a "filler" episode of a TV show, leaving the impression that the preceding films are "absolutely irrelevant" to this new direction.

Tone, Direction & Creative Freedom

The directorial choices in Underworld: Awakening are a significant point of contention. Helmed by Måns Mårlind, the film's aesthetic and pacing suggest a strong influence from video game sensibilities, which, while potentially appealing to some, clashes with the established tone of the franchise. The reviewer points out that the directors' previous work garnered a "0% on Rotten Tomatoes," a statistic that, after experiencing this film, felt entirely unsurprising. This background suggests a lack of cinematic finesse or a misunderstanding of the franchise's appeal, resulting in a product that feels less like a cohesive film and more like a series of loosely connected action sequences designed for a different medium.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, Underworld: Awakening struggles to find its audience. Fans of the Underworld lore will likely be alienated by its disregard for established continuity and character arcs, perceiving it as a "butchering" of what they love. General moviegoers, on the other hand, will find little to appreciate in its disjointed plot and uninspired direction. It's a film that feels like a "bad video game chapter," made by a "completely different crew" and ultimately, an "irrelevant ass movie." This installment fails to deliver on its potential, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment and a longing for the series' more compelling entries.