Dec 122016
 
2.5 reels

In this fifth film in the Underworld series, Selene (Kate Beckinsale), last of the Death Dealers, is hunted by both vampires and lycans. Some want her dead. Some want her special blood. And some want information on the location of her child, who has even more special blood. The lycans, empowered by their new blood-addicted leader (Tobias Menzies), have been wiping out the vampire covens around the world. The remaining southern coven invites Selene and her sidekick David (Theo James) to return to train new Death Dealers, but really there are multiple levels of treachery afoot.

Remember the vampire and lycan purges of Underworld: Awakening? No? That’s OK, neither do the filmmakers. The vamps are back in gothic mansions as if nothing ever happened. Humanity’s knowledge of non-humans? Don’t worry about that either as humans just don’t seem to be around in this film. Remember Michael? Well, forget about him. And Selene’s daughter? She’s just a MacGuffin now.

So, forget continuity. That’s not a terrible thing as Awakening (the forth film in the series) had taken things down an unwanted path. We are back in familiar territory, which is good or bad depending on what you are looking for. Blood Wars is about overly grumpy werewolves facing asshole vamps, with lots of shooting, sword swinging, biting, and clawing. If that’s what you came for, you should be happy, though I found the battles a step down from previous installments. If, on the other hand, you’re watching to see Beckinsale in leather and vinyl, and the general vampire fashion show, you are definitely in luck. She looks lovely and this is the most clothing modeling we’ve gotten since the first film. And this time we get a bonus with new northern vampires who dress in white Viking chic. In films where style is everything, it’s nice to get a new style.

The plot, beyond combat, does less well than the look. It is both empty and overly packed. There’s too many goals from too many different characters, most of whom we don’t know, and it is all rushed. Selene is an outcast. Then she isn’t. Then she is. Then she’s at another coven. David discovers something supposedly important and emotional about himself, but I didn’t care. First one character betrays her people, and I didn’t care, then another does, and I didn’t care, and then yet a third, and I still didn’t care. Nothing anyone does matters and it all comes to nothing. It’s a shame as the first few Underworld films supplied a passable story and engaging characters as well as delivering style and action.

While character is wanting, casting is not. When the parts are lacking, sometimes shear charisma can carry the day. Beckinsale is sensual, expressive, and a joy to behold. Theo James is solid as the co-star and Daisy Head, James Faulkner, and Bradley James bring a little extra to their supporting roles. Charles Dance is only around for an extended cameo but a little bit of him is worth a great deal. And then there is Lara Pulver as one of the two main villains, who vies with Beckinsale in the game of who cane be the sexiest. She excelled as Irene Adler in Sherlock, and brings that same charm to Blood Wars. Tobias Menzies is the only main cast member who fares poorly, but he’s given such a lackluster, underwritten villain that there was nothing he could do.

The Underworld series started strong in 2003, as something different, exciting, and fun, with just enough meaning to get by. Things have fallen off since then. Blood Wars is in a lesser league, but if you don’t ask too much of it, there’s enough fun to be had to be worth your time.

 

Blood Wars follows Underworld (2003), Underworld: Evolution (2006), Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009), Underworld: Awakening (2012).

Kate Beckinsale also starred in the action-horror romp, Van Helsing (2004), the ghost story Haunted (1995) and in one of the best films of 2016, the Jane Austin inspired Love and Friendship.  She had supporting roles in the Shakespearian features Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and Prince of Jutland (1994).