WARNING: This Review May Contain Spoilers
An important fact to remember regarding these two films, is that the prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans has no impact on our protagonist’s, Selene, life in Underworld. It is time to understand where the war between the Lycans and the Vampires really began.
The Birth of Lucian
The catalyst for the creation of a new form of Lycan. I actually found the mythology for these films a little confusing because before this, Lycans already existed – they just did not have the ability to change between wolf and human. The Spawn of William as they are referred to in Rise of the Lycans, terrorised the vampires from beyond their walls and had been for two decades prior to the beginning of the film. However, somehow a Lycan boy is born that does possess the power to change form, Lucian. Instead of killing him, as any other vampire would, Viktor decides to use him, to create a new breed of Lycan who they chose to enslave. Big Mistake!
Lucian and Sonia
The Romeo and Juliet of our occult tale. A love that could have ended years of hate and fighting, but instead helped light the match for the Lycan uprising. Obviously it wasn’t this alone but it does go a long way to the cause. The rest I will come to in a moment. When their love is discovered by her father, Sonia is put to death – even though she’s pregnant with a half-lycan half vampire child. Her death pushes Lucian to his brink and so the war begins.
Lucian actually references their relationship in Underworld when Michael expresses that he is seeing the memories of Sonia’s death. Strangely though, he refers to them as being married which, as far as we know from Rise of the Lycans, did not happen – didn’t even have the opportunity to happen.
Rise of the Lycans
As I mentioned, the death of Sonia is not the only spark to light the fire of the Lycan revolution. Being treated as slaves by the people who created you will always instil a feeling of unrest among those being treated badly. After removing his collar to save the love of his life from the Spawn of William, Lucian is punished and imprisoned. During this time he becomes the leader of the Lycans, setting as many of them free as he can.
Battle is already on their minds when they escape, as they have plans to go back for those of them that were left behind. This is before Lucian is told of Sonia’s imprisonment. That is just the last nail in the coffin (pardon the expression, it’s not like immortals need coffins in the same way we do).
Selene
Alright, so maybe my opening statement is only partially right. Of course, as a vampire, the war has some effect on her life as Selene becomes part of the battle against the Lycans, six centuries after the death of Lucian – or so she believes…
It also seems that Viktor has some sort of connection to Selene. We know that he is not her father in the literal sense but it is he that turns her into a vampire. It is even mentioned at the end of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans that he only did so because of how much she reminded of Sonia. Ok, so he had already slaughtered the rest of her family and would lie to her about it but at least he saved her right?
In Conclusion
If I’m honest, I don’t think either of these films are that great. Underworld spends a lot more time having to explain what’s going on more than anything else. I think it’s a reasonably good idea for a set of films but it definitely could have been portrayed on screen better. I want to make a little comparison for you – Underworld with Resident Evil. I find that Selene has a very similar character style to Alice but she just doesn’t come across as strong.
