HOLLYWOOD—Audiences have already been treated to “The Vampire Diaries,” “True Blood” and “Twilight,” but before all of those series there was “Underworld.”  The vampire franchise starring Kate Beckinsale as Selene surprised audiences alike back in 2003.  Beckinsale returns to the franchise in “Underworld: Awakening” the fourth chapter in the popular franchise.  Spectators will recall that Beckinsale was MIA in the third installment “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” which failed to connect with audiences, as many prequels do. 

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) in "Underworld: Awakening."

The story picks up with Selene the only vampire with the ability to walk in sunlight and to exert extraordinary strength to discover that she has been in a cryogenic coma for the past 12 years after the events in the film “Underworld: Evolution.”  Her one true love Michael (Scott Speedman) is lost to her and she’s out for vengeance to discover why she and another test subject have been held captive by the medical corporation Antigen.  Its here we discover that Selene is the mother of the only surviving hybrid Eve (India Eisley), who has a molecular structure that the Lycans (werewolves) are after.

What is fascinating about this installment is its ability to place the human race as almost non-existent. They were responsible for ‘The Purge,” a mass genocide of all vampires and lycans from the second installment, but here the battle is primarily between the vampires and lycans who are both determined to eliminate thee other. 

Assisting Selene in her quest to protect her daughter is fellow vampire David (Theo James).  She also has the help of Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy) in a small role that doesn’t quite satisfy his acting abilities.  At times the spectator may wonder what possible effect a human could have against a vampire or werewolf.  Vampires have been in hiding to ensure the survival of their kind as the lycans continue to multiply in numbers thanks to the help of Dr. Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea).  What is about those doctors whose goal is to save lives, but just become so obsessed with power that it corrupts them?

While “Underworld: Awakening” doesn’t have the most original idea, the pace for the movie is effective. It’s not overly long or too complicated for the audience to understand, but for anyone who hasn’t seen the second installment in the franchise, it’s not a bad idea to check that flick about before seeing the newest chapter in the series. 

No female actress can pull of superhero better than Beckinsale in a role that suits her.  Audiences will be pleasantly surprised with the action in this movie.  There is plenty of gunfire, neck bites, broken bones, explosions and spectacular stunts to leaves audiences talking for days.  “Underworld: Awakening” takes the audience on a journey into a world unlike any other; humans aren’t in control here, vampires and lycans are and there battle is a fascinating one to watch. 

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