While I will give "Underworld" credit for its innovative storyline and dramatic visual style, the movie still lacked a certain captivating quality that would make it a memorable action film. The movie, staring Kate Beckinsale (of "Pearl Harbor" ) and Scott Speedman (of the WB's "Felicity"), tells the story of a centuries-old war between vampires and lycans, a.k.a. werewolves. I couldn't figure out, however, if the point of the movie was to portray the epic struggle between these demons of the dark or to show Beckinsale in as much tight-fitting, black leather as possible. It was little aspects such as this or how many times the camera unnecessarily focused on Beckinsale's sweaty face that left me feeling rather ambiguous towards the quality and overall entertainment value of "Underworld." The movie tells the story of Selene (Beckinsale), a vampire driven by revenge ever since her family was murdered by lycans centuries ago. The opening scene shows Selene and her fellow black leather-clad vampires engaging in deadly clash with the lycans at a New York City subway station with hospital intern Michael Corwin (Speedman) caught up in the battle. Selene and Michael lock eyes through the spray of bullets in one of those typically overly-dramatic cinematographic shots. Thus, within the first ten minutes of the movie the audience pretty much knows that the next one hour and fifty minutes will be spent figuring out how to bring these star-crossed lovers together. Apparently, the whole Romeo and Juliet attraction doesn't just apply to humans anymore.

While sitting in her black-interior study, Selene discovers that the lycans are after Michael, and sets off in her black sedan, wearing an overly tight, black leather body suite, to discover why. Michael, however, is bitten by a lycan before Selene arrives, meaning her cute, human love interest will soon be transformed into one of her sworn enemies instead. Selene continues to defy her vampire contingent in order to secure the survival of Michael, who is now terrified that that he will now have to trade in his boyish good looks for scraggly, wolf-hair and an abnormally huge jaw.

The movie becomes more intriguing in the second half, as Selene discovers that the interim leader of vampires has made a deal with leader of lycans, Lucien. In desperate need of guidance, Selene performs the awakening ritual that is used to bring back from the dead a sovereign lord of the vampires. Having awakened her mentor and lord, Viktor, Selene sets out to foil the traitorous alliance formed between Lucien and the vampire's second in command. Only then does she learn the real circumstances behind the death of her parents as well as the real reason why the lycans are so eager to capture Michael. Selene must decide at the end of the movie if her loyalties are with Viktor and her fellow vampires or with her lycan lover, Michael. Yet "Underworld" doesn't really come to a conclusion. It is just another one of those films that leaves you hanging so the movie company can reap a huge profit off a sequel.

The movie adds some great, unexpected plot twists and excellently depicts the two different underworld lifestyles. "I thought "Underworld" was very interesting because the movie shows that creatures typically labeled as purely evil have both good and bad sides," concluded Ross Reitman '06. However, I felt the film could not overcome its unoriginal, dull fight scenes or Beckinsale's inability to portray an action heroine. With the exception of the final battle scene, most of the fatal clashes within "Underworld" half bored me to death as all Beckinsale seemed able to do was shoot round after round of bullets rather than engaging in more thrilling, Matrix-like combat with her lycan enemies. Moreover, Beckinsale appeared quite comical as she ran in a dainty, model-like manner while being chased by werewolves through the grungy subway tunnels. Overall, I felt her performance in "Pearl Harbor" better showcased her potential as a Hollywood actress.

Despite its shortcomings, I am glad I saw "Underworld," as the film's plot is definitely a nice break from the array of street racing flicks or movies of the super-hero genre that are overloading the box office today. Still, the action in this supernatural thriller was too staged and Beckinsale's only success in this movie was establishing herself as a poster girl for teenage boys across America. My friends' responses in general to the movie were lukewarm as well. "There was lots of action and plot twists, but I wouldn't want to see it a second time," said Justin Drake '06. Ben Reed '06 agrees, "The action and effects were excellent, but I felt the acting in the whole movie was a little sub par." In lieu of my feelings, I encourage everyone to go see "Underworld" and judge for yourself whether this epic clash between vampires and werewolves deserves a sequel.