Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

"I gave you your life."
"You gave me chains."
"I thought you would have learned by now after all these years; you cannot have one without the other."

In the Dark Ages, on a Lycan turns they can never return to human form, until Lucian (Sheen) is born.  Lucian is stronger than other Lycans, and is forced to create more like him, to serve as the daylight guardians for the vampires.  As an adult, Lucian is more loyal to vampire leader Viktor (Nighy) than his own kind.

He is also in love with Viktor's daughter, Sonya (Mitra), a member of the vampire council and a warrior.  Their love is forbidden, as it would mix the species.  When Lucian risks his life to save Sonya, he incurs Viktor's wrath.  And when Tanis (Mackintosh) discovers the truth about their relationship, can they have a happy ending?


After glimpsing a taste of the past in Underworld: Evolution, they decided to revisit the origin of the centuries old vampire and lycan blood feud.  Any fans of the series knows how the story ends (Lucian tells his story and his relationship with Viktor in the first film).  In the original film, Sonya was portrayed by a blonde woman... she was recast for this film with black hair, probably show a stronger link between her and Selene (portrayed by Kate Beckinsale in the other Underworld films).

It was a smart idea to go back in time, as it gave the filmmakers the ability to breathe new life into some fan favorite characters: Viktor, Lucian, Raze, Tanis.  Michael Sheen shows how Lucian became the leader he is by Underworld, and explores his relationship with Raze.  Sheen is a talented actor, and carries the film with ease.  Rhona Mitra is a strong action star, but fails to capture the audience like Beckinsale (despite being very similar characters).  Viktor is menacing as usual, and you get a better idea of where Tanis stood before his position in Underworld: Evolution.

It was a decent film.  And a first time directing for makeup artist Patrick Tatopoulos, currently a judge on SyFy's "Face Off."  Enjoyable, but not great.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) 92 minutes
Rated: R for bloody violence and some sensuality
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Starring: Michael Sheen as Lucian
Rhona Mitra as Sonya
Bill Nighy as Viktor
Steven Mackintosh as Tanis
Kevin Grevioux as Raze