So that was Winter then, first proper winter for 18 years and some decent snow!! i hope everyone went out and made snowmen, this only happens every 18 years FFS!!! So what now, back to standard rain and wetness and general gloom for the rest of the winter before, but hey at least we don't have tornados or rabies or poisinous spiers - so lets be thankful for good old blighty!
Dont forget tonight is SCHPUNK night and this week I believe its on at OPIUM LOUNGE AGAIN!!! I hear it was quite a night last week so dont miss out!
And as a treat for friday we've got another Brotherton review - this time he checks out UnderWorld THE PREQUEL WITH THE SAME ACTORS EVEN THOUGH THAT DOESNT QUITE FIT IN WITH THE FIRST TWO FILMS. Enjoy!!
Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans
Prior to sitting down in the cinema to see this 3rd installment of the much derided franchise, I had seen no trailers, no TV or radio spots, only posters next to bus stops. And the cinema I went to was nearly packed out, and the queues for the evening showings were even longer after I left. That shows just how much appeal the Underworld series still has, regardless of the mass critic-bashing.
Put simply, you're either a fan or you're not, and critical consensus won't deter you either way from seeing this.
Since the first Underworld flick came out in 2003, it has won over a pretty large fan-base, mainly all thanks to screenwriter Danny McBride's inscrutably layered history of his vampire/lycan war. But as much thought is given into each of the characters involvement throughout this fantasy yarn, the end result is that each actor is given a role that's required to do sod all apart from snarl and growl - especially if they're a werewolf.
For this prequel, the entire plot ark revolves around a flashback sequence from the first film where lycan maestro Lucian (Michael Sheen - why DID he return for this?) revealed his motive for the war; a Romeo & Juliet style love story between a werewolf and vampire where the latter was executed which thus started the war. So all the cheap Crow/Blade/Matrix guns 'n' leather knock-offs are now replaced with sword fights, castles and other derivative periodic elements.
It may sound like I've just given the whole plot away, but anyone who's still bothered about the Underworld series knows about which of these characters are gonna live or die to appear in the present films, and how, too. It may be an improvement by having a less convoluted plot this time round, but the usual over-acting, dull action sequences and incredibly uninspired storytelling will appeal to few unless you're a fan.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
