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| Reviewed by: Josh Lehman 26 Jun 2006 Underworld: Evolution
| |  Director Len Wiseman was hugely successful with Underworld, a fairly low-budget, high-concept horror/action flick that combined fantastic supernatural elements with Matrix-style visuals. After the success of the first film, a sequel was in order, and the original cast and crew re-teamed almost immediately for Underworld: Evolution, and this film is one of the first Blu-Ray discs to arrive in stores, and most definitely the best looking and sounding of the bunch.
Super mega-hottie Kate Beckinsdale is Selene, a lycan (werewolf) hunter who uncovered a Vampire conspiracy in the first Underworld, with a plot to create a new race of hybrid Vampire/Lycans and eliminate both previous races. The first offshoot of this race, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman of Felicity), came under Selene’s protection, and became a romantic interest. Evolution begins with the awakening of the first vampire, Marcus (Tony Curran), and he immediately begins pursuing Selene and Michael after disposing of the film’s first traitor, Kraven (Shane Brolly). The two are now on the lam in the former Soviet Union, with the knowledge that the Vampires would be pursuing them for Selene killing Viktor (Bill Nighy of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest).
As a film, this is a hard one to call. On its own, it would be just as outstanding as the first film; as a sequel, it breaks the “sequel” mode by not out doing the first film, but instead says way too “status quo” for me. It is basically a wash with the first, as it really serves as a direct extension to the first film since it continues exactly where the first left off. Some unnecessary and confusing back story is thrown in, but none of this detracts from Kate Beckinsdale’s great turn again as Selene, or Bill Nighy’s deliciously evil turn as the now-deceased Viktor.
The Blu-Ray disc of Underworld: Evolution is presented in 2.4:1 anamorphic 1080P widescreen, and is hands-down the best-looking Blu-Ray transfer of the bunch. From the opening sequence on, the amazing depth is unparalleled, and more importantly, the film’s unmatched black level and shadow detail. This may be the current “best of” for video of all the current HD transfers, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Simply brilliant. No compression or artifacting is apparent anywhere.
The audio is available as an aggressive Dolby 5.1 track or reference uncompressed PCM track. The latter is so loud and dynamic that my system was worked to its peak, with crushing eargasms that had me removing earwax from my sidewalls. Dynamic surrounds are active throughout, with a wide soundfield and localized F/X that will keep you looking over your shoulder throughout. Truly awesome.
The extras are sparse, but with video and audio this good, it is irrelevant. Underworld: Evolution is a must-have BD title, and the must-have title on either of the competing formats. Excellent reference transfer.
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Copyright (c) 2007 Rock Star Media Works, Inc. All rights reserved.
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