Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans(2009)

R
01/22/2009 (US)Fantasy, Action, Thriller1h 32m
6.5

"Every war has a beginning."

Overview

A prequel to the first two Underworld films, this fantasy explains the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Aided by his secret love, Sonja, courageous Lucian leads the Lycans in battle against brutal Vampire king Viktor. Determined to break the king's enslavement of his people, Lucian faces off against the Death Dealer army in a bid for Lycan independence.

Danny McBride

Screenplay

Danny McBride

Characters

Len Wiseman

Characters

Kevin Grevioux

Characters

Patrick Tatopoulos

Director

Robert Orr

Story

Dirk Blackman

Screenplay

Howard McCain

Screenplay

Len Wiseman

Story

Danny McBride

Story

Where to Watch

Stream

Starz Apple TV Channel
Starz Roku Premium Channel
Starz
Philo
Starz Amazon Channel

Rent

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home

Buy

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home

Powered by JustWatch

Popularity Trend

Last 30 Days
This chart shows the popularity trend over the past 30 days.

Part of the Underworld Collection

A centuries-old war is waged between vampires and lycans (short for lycanthrope, from the Greek 'luk' [wolf] + 'ánthrōpos' [human], or werewolf). It begins with a fifth-century man, the sole survivor of a plague that wipes out his village. Somehow, his body turns the disease to his benefit, and afterward, he ceases to age. After living secretly, he moves often to prevent his immunity to the ravages of time from being discovered, even marrying on occasion. After he fathers twin sons who also inherit his gift, they learn its ultimate price after they become the first vampire and lycan after one suffers a bite from a bat and the other from a wolf. Once they learn they can "turn" normal humans into others like them by inflicting their bites on them, they terrorize the nearby countryside, taking from them either victims or tribute. The vampires ultimately enslave the Lycans until love leads to the Lycans' escape, igniting a bitter war that seems destined to have no end.

Media

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) Original Trailer [FHD]

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) Original Trailer [FHD]

Trailer

Social

J
A review by John Chard
6.5

Written on October 9, 2015

I should have crushed you under my heel the day you were born.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the prequel to the previous two Underworld films. It tells the story about what led to the werewolf/vampire feud, with bloody energetic results.

In core essence this is Braveheart/Spartacus, only in CGI laden horror/action form. Michael Sheen buffs up into Karl Urban, who as Lucian (bad ass Lycan) leads his species to a bloody revolt, and Kate Beckinsale has made way narratively for Rhona Mitra, who sexes things up. The action is pulse raising and the Gothic designs and atmospherics are first rate, while the battle royale finale is fit to crown any genre film of its type.

Problems are evident, though. The constant flow of CGI blood becomes irritating after a while, and Bill Nighy (in spite of being a franchise regular) is still looking miscast! But it has proved to be a series with hairy legs and fangs that refuses to die, a popcorn munchers dream. So enjoy the spectacle and the screenplay homages, and I'll have a bag of tortilla chips and a choc ice please. 6.5/10