Public Servant Lifestyle

Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as latex-clad vampiress Selene in the action sequel to 2002's Underworld. Vamp it up!

Underworld: Evolution

Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as Selene, the pistol-packing, latex-clad vampiress in the action sequel to 2002 creature feature Underworld.

***** - SFX

"A great bite out...super state-of-the-art special effects. Brilliant stunts and brawling beatsly battles...fantastic." - Alan Frank, The Daily Star.

"No one sucks blood more sexily than Kate Beckinsale." - Nuts magazine.

The brand new blockbuster sequel (that’s also sort of a ‘prequel’, in a rather confusing way too...) to the worldwide 2002 hit Underworld. The new film, entitled Underworld: Evolution promises pretty much more of the same stylised vampires – versus wolf men (and women!) fare, shot in a quick-fire music video fashion and features a screenplay written by Danny McBride and by the films’ Director Len Wiseman.

Emma Peel

Continuing the saga (established as a back-story to the first feature) of an Ages-long near-genocidal war between the ‘Death Dealers’ (vampire assassins) and barbarian Lycans (their werewolf nemesis) this film takes audiences right back to the earliest beginnings of the ancient feud which they witnessed a bloody climax to at the end of the first feature.

Our vampire heroine Selene - played once again by the very sylph-like Kate Beckinsale, lashed into a variety of shiny black outfits and the kind of figure hugging ‘action suits’ that can’t help invoke the image of a more risqué fetish-gear wearing Emma Peel, from TV’s The Avengers - and Michael Corvin (played by Scott Speedman). Michael is – for those not conversant with the first film – or with better things to do than remember the fine details of these sorts of things – is a unique Lycan ‘hybrid’ try to unlock the secrets of their bloodlines. British film veteran Bill Nighy (The Hitch Hikers’ Guide to the Galaxy, Still Crazy, Love Actually) returns to the role he originated in the first film – as Vampire overlord Viktor in full menacing mode.

Probably most widely known for her role opposite Hugh Jackman (History of Violence, ‘Wolverine’ in the X-Men film series) in Universal’s 2004 smash Van Helsing Kate Beckinsale has captured critics’ attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Appearing in: ensemble drama Laurel Canyon (featuring Lou Barlow of Sebadoh fame) as well as in Serendipity (2001), Pearl Harbour, The Golden Bowl, Brokedown Palace, The Last Days of Disco, in British comedy Shooting Fish, in the title role in Emma.

Critically Acclaimed

Beckinsale played the title role of Emma from the same producer of their critically acclaimed production of Pride and Prejudice. Beckinsale first gained notice in the United States as the fiery, take-charge heroine Flora Poste in John Schelsinger’s sleeper hit Cold Comfort Farm. The film - which was originally televised on BBC TV - also starred Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous, Sapphire & Steele, The New Avengers), Sir Ian ‘Gandalf’ McKellen, Eileen Atkings and Rufus Sewell.

Her US film debut was in Kenneth Branagh’s critically acclaimed film version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, alongside an ensemble cast that included Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington and Robert Sean Leonard. Additional film credits include Haunted opposite Aidan Quinn, Uncovered and The Prince of Jutland from director Gabriel Axel. Beckinsale’s roles for television have included One Against the Wind and Rachel’s Dream. On the stage, she has appeared in the productions Clocks and Whistles, Sweetheart and a British national touring production of The Seagull.

Slick Visuals

Aside from these core cast members the film also features: Shane Brolly as Kraven, Michael Sheen as Lucian, Tony Curran as Marcus, Zita Görög as Amelia, Alexander Grant.as a Policeman, British theatrical legend (and TV’s Cadfeal) Derek Jacobi – as Alexander Corvinus, Steven Mackintosh as Tanis and Scott McElroy as Soren.

As well as gun-play and fast-cut action, special effects, all-round slick visuals and prosthetic makeup is much on display once again. Basically this is more of the same – if your tastes in action movies lean more towards the contemporary/near-future Goth/horror side of things - and you enjoyed the first Underworld movie (and a lot of folk did – it made around 100 million box office dollars) then this will be just up your (rain-lashed, nourish) street.

Underworld: Evolution is available now on DVD.

More information available in DVD / Home Video