Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:74
Fresh:24
Rotten:50
Average Rating:4.4/10
Consensus: Despite the best efforts of its competent cast, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is an indistinguishable and unnecessary prequel.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Jan 22, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $45,802,315
Synopsis: The third film in the UNDERWORLD saga goes back hundreds of years to explain the origins of the feud between the vampire Death Dealers and the werewolf Lycans. Taking over directing duties from Len... [More]
Starring: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Reviews for Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 2/5 |
The numerous action sequences, while imaginative, lack a visual cohesion that allows them to be fully appreciated. Full Review |
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Loyal fans will find that there's still bite left in this franchise. Full Review |
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3/5 |
Those Goth-savvy filmgoers who enjoyed the first two Underworld epics will have no complaints here. Everything they love is delivered in spades... Full Review |
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It's Romeo and Juliet retold in medieval rock n' roll style Full Review |
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2.5/4 |
...can't help but come off as an obvious high point within this progressively low-rent series... Full Review |
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1/5 |
Enquanto seus realizadores contam o dinheiro que ganharam com o projeto, farei o mesmo que fiz com relaçăo aos dois primeiros capítulos: publicarei este texto e esquecerei imediatamente do filme que o tornou necessário. Full Review |
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65/100 |
(Has) a fidelity to the style of the originals without the tangled, overstuffed narrative. Full Review |
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2/4 |
Borrows from 'Romeo and Juliet,' 'The Passion of the Christ' (there are two, count 'em, two gory scourging scenes) and, especially, 'Spartacus'... Full Review |
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2.5/4 |
Feels like a superfluous placeholder until Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman are available and ready to make a true third installment in the series. Full Review |
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2.5/5 |
At least we're spared a lot of the "legacy this" and "prophecy that" stuff that slows down both of the previous Underworld adventures. Full Review |
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C- |
The creators seem to have abandoned all hope of manufacturing anything that's even coherent, let alone imaginative. Full Review |
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4/10 |
Awkward camera angles, editing and pacing of some fight sequences gives a direct-to-video at times. If you're a fan of the last two Underworld movies and are willing to suspend your disbelief and to check your brain at the door for 93 minutes, you'll at l Full Review |
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Parental Content Review Full Review |
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2.5/4 |
Nothing special, but it convincingly transports viewers into its Medieval realm of vampires vs. werewolves. Full Review |
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2.5/5 |
It may be a definite upswing in quality for the series, but if you thought the previous two films were overblown goth-horror nonsense, Rise Of The Lycans really isn’t going to change your mind… Full Review |
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2/5 |
Uninspired prequel-slash-threequel that seems to have contractual obligation written all over it. Full Review |
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2/5 |
Basically it’s Frost/Nixon to Dross/Vixen. And there’s plenty to be ashamed of. Full Review |
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1/5 |
Directed by former special effects artist Patrick Tatopoulos, it is shoddily paced and appears to have been lit with a candle, presumably to hide its obvious budget shortfalls. Full Review |
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1/6 |
Take our advice: Buy a rubber mallet and strike yourself repeatedly until you start to black out. Same basic feeling. Full Review |
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Compared to its sister films, the storytelling is stellar, remarkable not because there's a whole lot going on -- in fact, you'll likely leave the theater thinking, "That's it?" -- but because what little does happen makes sense. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
May 11, 2009:
RT on DVD: Taken Exclusive; Underworld 3, Trek Blu-ray Set!
This week on DVD, Liam Neeson (you know, the veteran Irish actor who your grandmother thinks looks nice) opens a can of whoop ass on unsuspecting kidnappers, much to our delight... More...
January 23, 2009:
Len Wiseman Talks Underworld's Future 
Now that "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is in theaters, it seems appropriate to ask about the future of the franchise -- a subject that Len Wiseman was happy to discuss with... More...
January 22, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Inkheart Is Less Than Magical
This week at the movies, we've got living literature (Inkheart, starring Brendan Fraser and Eliza Hope Bennett); political intrigue (Frost/Nixon, starring Michael Sheen and... More...
January 22, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: Underworld Battles Oscar All-Stars
Only two new releases hit the North American box office, but in the wake of Academy Award nominations, a handful of contenders take the opportunity to expand nationwide hoping... More...
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