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Underworld

"Strangelove here after a grueling second semester and week hiatus. I've come out of hibernation to give you all a review of the script to the new Kate Beckinsale action flick, Underworld. However, like this week's big movie event, The Matrix Reloaded, I have done quite a bit of reflection and have found the material in question to be merely mediocre at best.

McBride's second draft starts off promisingly enough with an action packed attention grabber. A ten page long action melee takes place in a train station between two rival species: the vampires and the lycans (werewolves). The sequence reads as quick and exciting but it sadly is nothing new. The vampires carry silver bullet loaded Glocks while the wolves carry pistols with UV enhanced rounds. That is as original as this screenplay gets. (Well, the idea of vampires versus werewolves is pretty cool too.)

The second big action sequence is ripped clean out of the James Cameron playbook. It involves the lead werewolf taking off after Beckinsale's character and a targeted doctor. He runs out and clamps himself onto the top of the car (a la T-1000 style after the Sarah Connor breakout) and begins to thrust his claws through the roof of the car. Yawn.

Not only has much of the action been seen before, but the style of the character's physical presentation is totally drenched with that "Matrix" look. I remember when I first saw the trailer and noticed Beckinsale decked out in black leather and boots and I thought instantly of Trinity and Neo. Granted, this doesn't say much for the plot. However, it does show that the repetition of modern action movies is becoming engrained in the visuals of the film. Damn Hollywood's attitude for the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude. Well, Underworld ain't exactly broke, but it definitely needs some fixing.

I'm at a loss of words when it comes to finding something good to say about Underworld. I guess you could say that Beckinsale's character, Selene, has a fairly interesting background. Other than that, however, the characters are pure card board stock. Clocking in at 104 pages, most of which is action, Underworld clearly has room for some exposition.

The exposition that is included is rambling and does not seem to understand itself. We're given a brief back story on the war between the lycans and the vampires but it seems to lose its direction quite easily. Again, looking at the trailer, all we ever really see is action and that is about all Underworld provides. I had always thought the "why" was more interesting that the "how" but I guess McBride and his colleagues do not share my opinion.

As with most action films, the plot rides shotgun. It is the action sequences that drive the film and Underworld is no exception. I can't even really explain the plot. It's not that I did not understand it, it's just that it relies on twists and turns that solely make up the narrative. Basically, Beckinsale has to protect a man she falls in love with from the werewolves and the vampires. The film has been described as another modern day Romeo and Juliet. I wish it had that much character."

(Review submitted by Dr. Strangelove)

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Jean-François Allaire (aka DeadPool)

Questions, comments, praise etc. Email me at deadpool@tnmc.org

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Jean-François Allaire is TNMC's first columnist. At only 24 years old he has become a respected entertainment journalist, with his columns appearing in Corona's Coming Attractions and Scr(i)pt magazine. He also writes a monthly column in Screenwriters Monthly entitled 'The Last Word.' Hailing from Montreal this young writer is determined to dig up all the details on the movies before they hit your local theater. If you're part of a movie production then you really need to be talking to him.