Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Name: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy
Released: January 23, 2009
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 216 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 216 Ratings

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Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans

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Movie Details & Credits

Screen Gems | Release Date: January 23, 2009 | R

Starring: Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra

Summary: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian, emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them forUnderworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian, emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja, in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement. (Sony)… Expand

Director: Patrick Tatopoulos

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon

First-time helmer Patrick Tatopoulos (who designed creatures for all three pics) offers a satisfyingly exciting monster rally that often plays like a period swashbuckler. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Thanks to sturdy performances by holdovers Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy as well as tidy, unfussy direction by first-timer Patrick Tatopoulos, the creature designer who is taking the reins from originator Len Wiseman, the third installment in the successful franchise should be to the fan base's lycan. Read full review

Claudia Puig

The highlight of this fantasy/horror hybrid is watching a pair of the best British character actors --- Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen -- shed their thespian respectability and unleash their inner beasts. Read full review

Jim Ridley

Mincing around like a bored old glam rocker and hissing threats from behind electric neon eyes, Nighy seems to be the only person on set who found a glint of amusement in his part. He fares better than poor Sheen, a scraggly Wolverine who made a more credible vampire-slayer opposite Frank Langella’s Nixon. Read full review

Glenn Whipp

Grimly competent. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Jeremy Wheeler

While it may not be "Citizen Canine," Rise of the Lycans tells its tale competently and without the derivative nature of its predecessors. Read full review

Empire Kim Newman

A needless threequel. Note to director: avoid 'rise of the' titles. Read full review

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User Reviews

RobB.

Jan 26, 2009

I thought the movie was fantastic. even my wife loved it and shes not really a fan of this type of movie. great action, told the story well, i loved it. for sure will buy it when it finally makes it to dvd. If you at all liked the first 2 underworld movies, do yourself a favour and go see I thought the movie was fantastic. even my wife loved it and shes not really a fan of this type of movie. great action, told the story well, i loved it. for sure will buy it when it finally makes it to dvd. If you at all liked the first 2 underworld movies, do yourself a favour and go see this. you won't be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

gurgoni

Mar 3, 2009

I'm not a fan of Underworld, however I enjoyed the first two. And now this prequel, which as many say "needless" absolutely completes the first two. One can bragg about how needless it is and how badly it displeased him or her, but one would never tell straight up, that actually they I'm not a fan of Underworld, however I enjoyed the first two. And now this prequel, which as many say "needless" absolutely completes the first two. One can bragg about how needless it is and how badly it displeased him or her, but one would never tell straight up, that actually they were expecting a "new story". Just be honest. However we all knew very well, at least should have known, long before the movie came out in theaters, that it is in fact a prequel. You don't have to be a fan of Underwolds to know that "Rise of Lycans" would probably be about the times when warewolves had to rebel against the vampires. Of course when opressed, when else woudl they?! Good job, awsome movie. P.S.: Someone had a good point, but Where in the first two of Underworlds did Viktor say or think that Lycan was dead?!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JamesO.

May 18, 2009

A very good prequel movie. I definitely hope they make a 4th in the series sometime after the events of the 2nd movie. Definitely a must watch movie!

4 of 4 users found this helpful

Kraven

Mar 26, 2016

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a great prequel that abandons the modern day setting of the previous movies and instead goes to a medieval style setting for some epic vampire vs werewolf battles

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Meth-dude

Sep 4, 2016

The story of the prequel was interesting and the result wasn't bad, The acting was good, the practical effects were well made and there was enough action and blood to keep viewers entertained.It's still the weakest out of the three.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

[Anonymous]

Jan 24, 2009

For those who are following the bloodlines, this is a fairly accurate telling of the story we all knew. Sheen and Nighy are excellent actors and held the movie together even with poor dialog and bad acting by the other cast members. A must see for fans, not so for newbies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Nazgulero

Mar 12, 2011

I liked the first one. This one...well...it is SO bad that it really doesn't deserve the words to review it. There is absolutely nothing good to say about this movie. Don't they screen these things before finally releasing it ? Somebody, anybody, must have noticed that it sucks on each andI liked the first one. This one...well...it is SO bad that it really doesn't deserve the words to review it. There is absolutely nothing good to say about this movie. Don't they screen these things before finally releasing it ? Somebody, anybody, must have noticed that it sucks on each and every level. Simply appalling !… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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