Underworld: Evolution (2006) Movie Review

Underworld: Evolution is a 2006 action horror film directed by Len Wiseman and written by Danny McBride. It stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Shane Brolly, Steven Mackintosh, Derek Jacobi, and Bill Nighy. Evolution is the second film in the Underworld movie series and follows the events of the 2003 film. The film was a box office success and this opened the door for at least one more sequel, perpetuating the permanence of the Underworld series in the mainstream. Along with the first one, this second entry kept alive the gothic subculture and contributed to those types of aesthetics among the youth of the time.

This time, Selene (a vampiric Death Dealer) travels with a Lycan-Vampire hybrid named Marcus in order to inquire and investigate the origins and hidden information regarding their ancestry and savage lineage involved in a seemingly endless war between the two factions.

Unlike the first movie, this one is more of a journey through several different environments with out protagonists meeting many enemies and foes along the way but it sort of loses a bit of the focus the first film had with its post-expressionistic maximalist setting, opting for slightly more generic places and locations that still look ravishing and highly stylized because of the great technical work by cinematographer Simon Duggan but things look more artificial and less extreme in the expressive department. Still, there are many good aspects in the film when it comes to its visual flair and camera work. 

The characters are sort of disappointing, just like in the first one, since most of them are one-dimensional and have very little in the way of charisma or effective comedic moments. They are all cold and trying to be badass all the time and it works well enough for the most part but it keeps the movie in a one-note wavelength it never really breaks. It would be one thing if the film had more to offer but there really isn't much else there. Speaking of badassery, Beckinsale as Selene looks wonderful and has some outstanding action sequences from time to time. She really elevates the film and makes it a worthwhile experience, again, like in the first film.

Aside from a cool-looking main character we are mostly stuck with monotonous period war scenes, exposition-heavy scenes of characters info-dumping on the audience a lot of lore that is quite easy to forget and there's also a lot of flashy editing that doesn't help when it comes to keeping things clear cut or focused. It's a film made only to be seen and disposed of afterward, you won't really find anything here but a time waster with certain gothic and horror elements that appeal to a certain audience but it does the job as a popcorn flick fairly well for the most part. 

While not breathtaking nor innovative in any meaningful way, this slick sequel is entertaining but flawed and not very memorable. Recommended for fans of the first film and for those who enjoy action and horror mixed with a leather-clad vampiress.

Wildcat (2025) Movie Review

Wildcat is an American-British co-production, an action crime film directed by James Nunn and written by Dominic Burns starring Kate Beckinsale, Lewis Tan, Rasmus Hardiker, Alice Krige, Bailey Patrick, and Roxy Striar.

Originally titled Lioness, Wildcat is about an ex-black ops leader, Ada (Beckinsale), who reunites with her old partner when her eight-year-old daughter is kidnapped, forcing her to stage a dangerous heist against crime mistress Christina Vine (Alice Krige) in order to hatch a scheme to get her daughter back from the crime lord that has her child.

The film starts off with explosive editing and directing that gets you into the action quickly as a hook. However, this isn't just a cheap trick to grab your attention, there is an energetic quick pace that exists throughout the film, as well as a carefree attitude that makes things light. The hyperactivity of camera work and movement in some sequences break the dull talkiness of a lot of scenes that are in the middle of action set-pieces, ones that are actually quite solid and somewhat impressive with their staging.

Wildcat can be described as more stylish than substantial, with a slightly more playful tone and writing that seems very much self-aware of its condition of being a British action film that has its DNA in Guy Ritchie films but on a budget.

I will say that there's no real center of dramatic gravity to ground it in tone, there's barely any interaction between Ada and her child, so we don't really care for the central conflict. The constant flashbacks only mess things around even if they are important for backstory, and the fragmented chronology with somewhat confusing or simply disjointed or not needed time jumps is a bit jarring. To that you add that the real star of the film, while having her time to shine, doesn't really have the prominence and protagonism she needs, then you start to see the flaws and cracks. Beckinsale's sweet accent kind of makes up for some of the errors though.

The film is a bit more visually lively than usual, with interesting locations and less muted colors than the typical product of its kind. So it has a bit more going for it than what you would usually receive.

Recommended for the action movie buffs who enjoy a fun ride but not much else.