Directors: Björn Stein, Måns Mårlind
Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Stephen Rea, Theo James
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Running Time: 88 minutes
Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
What is great about “Underworld: Awakening” is that even if you haven’t seen any films in series, you can still watch this film. The opening scene sums up the whole series and catches you up to speed. So what can you expect for the fourth film in the series? Well, surprising quite a bit. This film has more of everything vampires, werewolves, action and even adds 3D to the mix. It is action packed and most important boasts the return of the sexy yet deadly Selene. In fact out of all the film in the series, this is easiest my favorite!! So if you are reading this Sony…let’s get started on “Underworld 5”!!
Kate Beckinsale returns to the role of Selene (after skipping “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”) and she is back with a vengeance. She is honestly the most bad-ass female vampire/warrior ever to hit the screen. In this installment, after being caught and confined for testing, she escapes only to find that the world has changed. Humans have discovered about the existence of both the Vampire and Lycan clans. The humans has started a war in order to remove both species. Things get a little more complicated when Selene finds out that she has a daughter that she didn’t know about during the time she was held and she is the target of both species.
Let’s focus for a second on the film’s 3D. This is one of my favorite live action 3D Blu-ray’s that I have seen seen. Most live-action 3D Blu-ray are said to be darker, this one puts that statement to rest. The film itself just uses the 3D so well, holds a constant depth and also rocks out with the film’s constant action. This all goes along well with the film’s amazing 1080p transfer and 2.40:1 aspect ratio. So, this film not only looks amazing it also sounds even better. Sony packed this Blu-ray with a super impressive DTS-HD MA 7.1 track and really pushes the format to the max. This film also comes with a standard Blu-ray and DVD of the film, as well as an Ultraviolet digital streaming copy.
The special features like the film are also very impressive. Firstly there is a massive commentary track with directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, producers Richard Wright and Gary Lucchesi, executive producer and visual effects supervisor James McQuaide. Everything is covered her from proudction to effects, very highly recommended. “Selene Rises” focuses on the return of Kate Beckinsale playing Selene. “Casting the Future of Underworld” looks at the series new player, Theo James and India Eisley and plans for future installments. “Resuming the Action” talks about shooting in 3D and creating the film’s amazing action sequences. “Building a Better Lycan” showcases the plans to create better werewolf visuals for this installment. “Awakening a Franchise, Building a Better World” is a general making-of featurette and also touches on revamping this series. “Previsualization Sequences” are exclusive to the Blu-ray 3D release and includes six scenes. Lastly there is a Blooper Reel and Music Video for “Heavy Prey” by Lacey Sturm Feat. Geno Lenardo.
