After the first Underworld movie, two X-Men movies, three Blade movies, the three Matrix movies, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Van Helsing, there isn't anything that is particularly new or fresh in Underworld Evolution, the sequel to the unexpected 2003 hit movie about werewolves and vampires battling it out in a centuries-long secret war . . .

This sequel follows more or less directly upon the events of the first movie and unless you've only recently seen Underworld, the chances are that all the plot exposition and flashbacks during the first fifteen minutes or so will leave you pretty much confused (it wasn't that memorable a movie).

Soon after that the film's plot finally kicks in: Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the beautiful vampire heroine, and Michael (Scott Speedman), the werewolf hybrid must prevent the first all-powerful vampire from freeing the first all-powerful werewolf, a plot device almost stolen straight from the recent Blade Trinity sequel. (Of course if you apply this sort of plot logic that the first of anything is simply the most powerful one there is to the real world, it would mean that the first car made in 1899 should outrun the latest Ferrari, but never mind.)

Despite its unoriginality, there are some plus points to Underworld Evolution. If nothing in the plot makes any sense one can always simply stare at Kate Beckinsale in that yummy S&M leather outfit of hers. The effects aren't too bad and there are some large scale property damage with plenty of gore and gunplay if you're into that sort of thing. However if you want a truly wild and inventive horror/fantasy movie, check out the delirious Russian Night Watch movie on DVD instead.

Needless to say it goes without saying that if you enjoyed the first Underworld movie that you would want to check out this sequel. The reverse is also true: if you didn't like it or it simply isn't your type of movie, then there is no particular reason to go see Evolution. However just make sure that you see Evolution at one of those cheaper Junction cinemas instead of forking out a full R38 for it.