6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The epic struggle between the Lycan werewolf clan and the Vampire clan that has vowed to eradicate them continues in this stylish and moody fifth installment.
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Charles DanceAction | 100% |
Fantasy | 56% |
Thriller | 33% |
Horror | 30% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
One of the most common reactions to learning of Underworld: Blood Wars isn't excitement, it's "they're making another one of those movies?" The longstanding franchise, previously four films strong and now with a fifth under its belt, has been a mainstay of the 21st century Action/Horror movie scene, right up there with another Sony property of some longevity, Resident Evil. The Underworld universe, which tells the story of the battle between vampires and werewolves that's not fought with fangs and claws but rather slow-motion stylized gunfights, has grown a bit long in the tooth, but so long as Kate Beckinsale is game for donning the black leather cat suit there seems to be no end in sight; a sixth film has been confirmed by series Producer Len Wiseman.
Underworld: Blood Wars comes sourced from a digital shoot, and the image is expectedly spectacular. It's clean but never feels glossy or flat. Detail proves excellent even under the film's darker, blue-heavy filtering. Black levels, critical to the film's visual success, are terrific; there's always excellent distinction between black attire and shadowy backdrops. Rarely do foreground clothes and background blacks merge into one indistinguishable element, and when they do, scene structure and darkness seem to dictate that be the case. Black leathery garments are wonderfully detailed when visible at an appropriately close-up level and in enough light to please. Skin details are naturally and finely complex, and skin tones are always the contrast to the black-and-blue visual stylings, presenting a bit pale, as expected of the vampires, but finding a sense of flush and fullness to some characters and particularly just standing apart from the background. Bright red blood is vibrant, too, and smaller examples of deeply saturated blues -- eyes, bullet tips -- are excellent. Very light macroblocking and banding are evident in a couple of shots, but generally speaking Sony's 1080p transfer is superb.
Underworld: Blood Wars marks yet another Sony title where the UHD earns an Atmos soundtrack while the Blu-ray receives only a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless presentation. It's also another case where the 5.1 track is terrific in its own right. Indeed, the sound presentation is dynamic, featuring full-bodied bass, excellent depth and range, and no shortage of exciting sound elements scattered all over the listening area. Action scenes are appropriately large in scale, filling the stage and pushing its boundaries along both axes. Gunfire pops and erupts from all over the stage with impressive bottom-end depth. Pops and crashes and various bits of chaos spring up from every speaker, effortlessly enveloping the listener in some of the film's larger-scale action sequences. But even the smaller-scale clashes, or fights between two or three characters, offer plenty of range, discrete effects, and effortless transitioning from one speaker to the next. Music follows suit, playing with plenty of width and depth; surrounds and the subwoofer are engaged throughout as notes spill into the stage with lifelike clarity. Atmospherics are impressively implemented, particularly some of the cold, blustery winds that rush through the stage as Selene and David approach the Nordic Coven. Clear, well prioritized, and center-focused dialogue, with light reverberation as environments permit, rounds a reference track into form.
Underworld: Blood Wars contains several featurettes and a digital graphic novel. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.
Underworld: Blood Wars amounts to little more than franchise filler, a movie that's a step away from DTV fodder. It never sparks the imagination or tries to do anything different; even the Nordic Vampires offer little real reprieve from the series' trademark visual style. Action is bland, story mechanics are convoluted, the movie gives no real reason for the audience to care, particularly the casual crowd. This is a movie made strictly for the franchise's fanbase; anyone else is going to feel lost, and likely bored. Sony's Blu-ray does at least come with the expectedly excellent picture and sound qualities. Extras include three character-focused pieces, a catch-all featurette, and a digital graphic novel. For franchise fans only.
2016
2016
5-Movie Collection
2016
2006
2012
Unrated
2003
2009
2014
2012
2004
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2016
1998
2016
2019
2017
An Animated Epic
2009
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2019
2008
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+ Unrated cut on the Blu-ray
2013
Icons
2009