UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS

RYAN: I practically had to drag myself to the courtesy screening of “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” which is a prequel to the first two “Underworld” movies. I didn’t love the first one and I didn’t even bother to see the second one.

CAROLINE: You couldn’t have paid me to see this movie. Kate Beckinsale couldn’t even be bothered to come back for it. But they tried to make it look like she did by putting a lookalike on the poster.

RYAN: Well, Kate does make a brief appearance; but I have to say, the movie was way better without her. I liked it even better than the first one. It’s quite an astonishing film.

CAROLINE: How so?

RYAN: It has a great premise which grabbed me from the very beginning, and it stars one of my new favorite actors, Michael Sheen, who was fabulous. He’s currently in theaters as David Frost in the Oscar nominated Best Picture “Frost/Nixon.” Plus it was produced by the guy who did “Million Dollar Baby.” I also learned from the production notes that this one has a lot more C.G.I. than the first two. And it’s not just fast MTV-style editing; it actually has a good story that moves and it has a great love story. It reminded me somewhat of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.”

CAROLINE: It’s about werewolves and vampires though, so you have to like that sort of thing.

RYAN: Yes, but for this genre, it’s a good one.

CAROLINE: How’s Rhona Mitra?

RYAN: She’s fine. She plays a vampire, but honestly I didn’t care that much because I was so focused on how amazing Michael Sheen was. Bill Nighy is also great; he was in the first two as well. His role is intense and those contacts he wears are somethin’ wicked.

CAROLINE: Is the movie scary and bloody?

RYAN: It’s violent but I was never scared. It’s not a horror movie or a thriller, but more of an action flick with drama and loads of romance. It’s basically a love story between a werewolf and a vampire.

CAROLINE: Wow. That is so not up my alley.

RYAN: It’s actually, surprisingly, much better than even the trailer would lead you to believe. It’s a really good movie with such fantastic special effects; I don’t know why it’s coming out in January.

CAROLINE: Probably because Rhona Mitra doesn’t have the same name recognition as Kate Beckinsale.

RYAN: Maybe. It should have come out last fall. It has much better special effects, action and romance than last year’s “Twilight.” I actually could actually relate to the love story in this one.

CAROLINE: Well, “Twilight” is really a teen movie.

RYAN: True. This one’s definitely more adult.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: Clearly, I’m recommending this. Even if you’re not necessarily interested in this genre, at the core, it’s a terrific story with facets of love, family, war, misunderstanding, underdog themes, etc. Not to over-glorify it, but it is very enjoyable film-going. The sets and scenic design are something to marvel. The blu-ray DVD will look fabulous on an HDTV when it eventually comes out; but in the meantime, if escapism is what you’re after, get out and see it on the big screen!

— RATING —