Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Director:

Patrick Tatopoulos

Writers (WGA):

Danny McBride (screenplay) and
Dirk Blackman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Slave | Werewolf | Prequel | Prisoner

Cast

Michael Sheen	...	Lucian
Bill Nighy	...	Viktor
Rhona Mitra	...	Sonja
Steven Mackintosh	...	Tannis
Kevin Grevioux	...	Raze
David Aston	...	Coloman
Geraldine Brophy	...	Nobleman's Wife
Leighton Cardno	...	Fearful Lycan
Alex Carroll	...	Young Lucian (as Alexander Carroll)
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Orsova
Jared Turner	...	Xristo
Jason Hood	...	Death Dealer
Mark Mitchinson	...	Nobleman
Tania Nolan	...	Luka
Craig Parker	...	Sabas

Also Known As:

Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans (USA) (working title)
Untitled Underworld Prequel (USA) (working title)
Inframundo 3 - La rebelión de los Lycans (Argentina) (Peru) [es]
Anjos da Noite - A Rebelião (Brazil) [pt]
Karanliklar ülkesi: Lycanlarin yükselisi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Teispoolsus: Libahuntide mäss (Estonia) [et]
Underworld - Aufstand der Lykaner (Germany) [de]
Underworld - Bunt Lykanow (Poland) [pl]
Underworld - La rebelión de los Licántropos (Spain) [es]
Underworld - La ribellione dei Lycans (Italy) [it]
Underworld - Pobuna Likana (Croatia) [hr]
Underworld 3 - Le soulèvement des Lycans (France) [fr]
Underworld 3 - Vzpoura Lycanu (Czech Republic) [cs]
Underworld Begins (Japan: English title) [en]
Underworld: A Revolta (Portugal) [pt]
Underworld: I exegersi ton lykon (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44577) | Germany:16 | Australia:MA | UK:18 | Ireland:16 | Japan:R-15 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:M18 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Brazil:16 | Mexico:B15 | South Korea:18 | Finland:K-15 | Denmark:11 | Austria:14 | Netherlands:16 | France:U (with warning) | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Sketch Films

Trivia:

While filming this movie, Michael Sheen was asked by Ron Howard if he could record a quick moment of dialog for Frost/Nixon (2008). Sheen, covered in fake blood from the days filming, went to his trailer and recorded the dialog, he asked someone to take a picture of him doing it and sent it to Ron Howard, who had it framed and displayed.

Goofs:

Continuity: The death scene of Sonja is different from the scene that is shown in the original Underworld, during the flashback regarding how the war started. Also, when the roof opens to let in the sunlight in the first film, it shows a different roof.

Quotes:

Lucian: I'll kill you. *All* of you!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Twilight Saga: The 400 Year Old Virgin (2009)

Soundtrack:

Board Up the House (Renholder Remix)

A Very Good Prequel

If you are a fan of either of the first two Underworld movies you are going to like this one as well. This movie seems to take place a short time after the creation of both races but some time before the events that open Underworld Evolution. The entire story of the feud between the vampires and lycans is told in 90 minutes with plenty of action interspersed throughout. My only complaint is that the movie could have been longer with more character development. An hour and a half is hardly enough time to tell a love story, which is what is at the heart of this movie. Also, a little more depth could have been given to Raze's character as his origins are shown but not in much detail. These plot points are sacrificed to keep the action scenes rolling but the action is great. There are several clashes between vamps and lycans that put those of the first two movies to shame. The special effects are amazing as usual. My hope is that Rise of the Lycans will do well at the box offices and we will all be treated to an extended directors cut on DVD. The plot themes of slavery, forbidden love, and revolution could use a little more screen time in my opinion. Oh and lets all hope for another sequel.