A few months back I posted and then promptly removed the rough first trailer for the upcoming instalment in the Underworld trilogy Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. This prequel is said to tell the tale of the break between the Lycans and the Vampires and on paper, it sounded like it could be very cool. Gone were Len Wiseman, Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman but in their stead we have the introduction of Rhona Mitra and the return of Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy, easily the two biggest talents in the first two films, but rather than a ballpark hit, this looks like a bloody mess of overly dark period action.
I love the look of the first two films and the story has the potential for more than just action but it looks like first time director Patrick Tatopoulos is following in the footsteps of his predecessor and the trailer that they’ve pumped out looks just like more of the first two films: all action and no story. Could be cool if the action is good but considering the darkness, it’s hard to make out much of anything more than Nighy loosing his cool and Sheen pandering to his fellow werewolves. Am I disappointed? You bet. I really wanted more of the story and it looks like I’m not going to get my wish.
That all said, I’ll likely still take my ass out to the theatre to check it out. When all is said and done, I do enjoy a little ass kicking and though this looks like it may not even deliver that much, I have to at least give it a chance. You never know, it may surprise.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is looking to win the box office weekend with a January 23rd release.
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
For this trip down history lane, British helmer Saul Dibb takes us to 18th century England where at 17, a young Georgiana Spencer (the initial marketing for the film ensured that people remember that the late Princess Di is a relation) is married off to the Duke of Devonshire. At a time when women were little more than dowries and a means to keep the blood line flowing, the Duchess of Devonshire became a celebrity and a kind of early “People’s Princess.” People loved the young woman with a keen fashion sense and good looks and her appearance at political rallies brought out crowds more interested in sneaking a peek at the celebrity than in the politics themselves. But as expected, nothing is easy behind closed doors. She suffered at the hands of a husband whose only interest was siring a son and the loveless marriage weighed heavily on her. For good measure, add in mistresses, illegitimate children and the fact that this is a small bit of England’s scandalous past and you have a sure fire hit. Unfortunately for Dibb, there are a number of missed opportunities.
