some movies you watch because they're philosophically provocative, or artistically experimental in a compelling way... and some you watch because they feature kate beckinsale wearing leather and packing heat. so, underworld is pretty clearly inspired by the matrix and blade. the fighting styles borrow from both, there's the whole vampire thing, and the set aesthetics are pretty matrixy, especially the use of heavy blue and green palettes, and lots of rain and decay.

of course, the last time i remember going to a movie partly because of a babe in a leather catsuit, it was a deep deep disappointment, but underworld worked out much better. oh it's not a great movie or anything, but like any good action movie it sure is sweet. the thing is totally stolen by kate beckinsale, a gun-toting catsuited kickass vampire.. pale skin, black hair, and a deadly look in her eye (sorry, wesley snipes and keanu reeves, you lose). she makes a good action hero, on the carrie-ann moss model, seriously deadly, plus hot.

the story is some mish-mash about the centuries-old war between vampires and werewolves. it's silly, but it's a great action movie premise. and the movie has some great, well not twists quite, but it does work out reasonably interestingly. there's a hint of romance, but it's not overplayed. and nice gadgets. vampire-killing bullets that are impregnated with liquid daylight (and glow blue)? kate beckinsale zooming around in a aston martin db9? yes, please.

September 21, 2004 10:34 PM
Categories: movies
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