Werewolves are Hot Right Now

Last week I saw Underworld and Underworld: Evolution on sale with a link for a free ticket to see Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Well how in the world could I pass that up? I like the first film and though the second was pretty cheesy (I recall it looked as though it borrowed cg from Van Helsing) but I was planning on seeing the latest installment anyway so all in all, I got two dvds and a movie ticket for $14. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

My sister is just about desperate to see this movie. She loves werewolves, though she does bat for Team Cullen given the choice. I have always had a different sort of idea about werewolves. Granted, they've not been all that popular in my reading days. I know I've read one book strictly about them and not in a good way. I've seen The Howling and it's a pretty good flick. Other than that and old Wolfman movies, (can we wipe Cursed from the record considering the fact that all I can think about is what could have been when I see it?) werewolves just haven't been all that big. Must not forget Teen Wolf here either, but let's face it, after that heyday, werewolves slunk into the background as side characters with vamps and fey and all that taking the lead in mainstream stuff. 

So I'm kind of seeing Rise of the Lycans as just that. I just finished reading a book where werewolves play a big part. Frankly, though, I'd rather see less of the dirty mongrel type that are out to shred every living thing to pieces and more of Michael Sheen's type. That man is HOT!

So, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I saw it yesterday and thought it was pretty good. It is a prequel. You've heard some of the story already about how Lucien and Viktor's war began. This is the whole thing in 90 mins of uprising, escape, and massacre. I could have done without the cheesy fade-out sex scenes - they're just not for me and knowing the 16 year old wants to see it that bad, I still had to warn mom since she will probably be the one squirming and blushing at taking her teen to see that. They're really not all that bad or long considering; I think mom should go for it! But then I'm out to corrupt the jjs anyway. 

Overall, effects were pretty good. The werewolves themselves were not attractive at all and most of the time, in human form anyway, they take on the appearance of grungy, dirty, muscly men working for the vamps. And again, Michael Sheen, yum! I swear if this man is not the most well-hidden secret in hollywood I don't know what is. You can watch him all clean cut in Frost/Nixon if you like, but I think like Hugh Jackman and Wolverine, Michael Sheen is Lucien for me. As a side note, he will also be the Cheshire Cat in the upcoming Tim Burton live-action Alice in Wonderland. It remains to be seen as to whether he will be contributing just voice or what. 

Having just seen Bill Nighy in Vakyrie (an utterly fantastic movie), it was a bit hard for me to make the transition back to Viktor, but he plays the aging evil blood sucker very well. Rhona Mitra plays Sonja, Viktor's daughter, and yes the resemblance between her and Kate Beckinsale is intentional. Plus, I love the way the movie ties it all up leading directly into Underworld. Kevin Grevioux makes his return as Raze and you get to see just how he joins the band of merry hairy men as well. 

So, if you're looking for a paranormal action flick (not horror, I don't think I would consider Rise of the Lycans horror) I suggest you see Rise of the Lycans. Frankly, it's not a bad way to spend an hour and a half and I like the franchise.