In 2003 a new movie series began that, some would say, paved the way for the next generation's interest in a feud between vampires and werewolves. On Jan. 20, the sequels continued for "Underworld" fans when the fourth film, "Underworld: Awakening," hit box offices nationwide. "Awakening" brought in over 25 million dollars of revenue during its opening weekend, surpassing the several other movies that came out that weekend by almost 10 million dollars.
Kate Beckinsale ('Contraband,' 'Pearl Harbor') returned to the "Underworld" saga as the werewolf-slaying vampire, Selene, this time fighting to protect her species from extinction after humans have discovered the existence of vampires. Stephen Rea ("V for Vendetta," "The Good Shepherd") stars as Dr. Jacob Lane, a new kind of mad scientist who is trying to create a new and stronger breed of lycans, which are werewolf-like monsters.
The series itself is focused around the longtime battle between vampires and lycans, a vicious and deadly breed of werewolf. The species collide, however, when Selene and werewolf Michael fall in love and Michael is turned into a lycan-vampire hybrid.
"Awakening" begins at a time when vampires and lycans are being hunted down one by one by humans, killed for being "infected" by a disease, as the police force and doctors refer to the species. After Michael and Selene are caught by the humans, they are separated, and the next time Selene opens her eyes, she is awakening from a cryonic state.
As Selene fights for her life, she realizes she now has to care for someone new, her twelve-year-old daughter (played by "Secret Life of the American Teenager" star India Eisley) who has survived living under the torture and experiments of the doctors since she was born. As a hybrid, the child, who is known only as "Subject 2," is of great wealth to Dr. Lane, who plans to use her as a basis for his experiments.
With the help of a cop whose wife perished due to the vampire hunts, Selene struggles to keep her daughter safe while still desperately searching for Michael, who is believed to be dead since his capture. Selene is also reluctantly welcomed into a new coven by David (Theo James), one of the only vampires left in his coven who believes in fighting back for his freedom. As the extinction of her own species inches closer, Selene must make the decision between finding Michael and saving her daughter.
"I actually liked the first three ["Underworld" movies] better just because they had the other characters from the previous movies, but "Awakening" was still really well made," said freshman Brittney Baker. "It was definitely a twist in the story to have Selene have a daughter."
"Underworld: Awakening" does not let down fans who have followed the series for the past nine years. On the contrary, it develops a new chapter in the "Underworld" saga. While the storyline is easier to understand if the viewers have knowledge of the previous movies, the interests in the genre could reach anyone who likes science fiction, action or thriller films.
"Awakening" incorporates all of those interests; however, those interested in "Twilight" would find the movie to be quite different from the usual sparkling, sensual characteristics of vampires.
The ending of the movie leaves the next chapter still to be unfolded, described perfectly by Selene's words: "This is a new war."
