Underworld MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -2 1/2

In this fantasy-action film, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) is a young medical doctor caught in a thousand-year-old battle between two species of immortals: Vampires and Lycans (werewolves). The Vampires are portrayed as the aristocrats, and the Lycans as the underclass. The Lycans are after Corvin, and the Vampires, led by beautiful, expert Lycan-hunter Selene (Kate Beckinsale), want to know why. But when Selene attempts to uncover the Lycan motives, Corvin ends up saving her life and winning her heart. With a mystery remaining and time diminishing before the ritualistic awakening of an ancient, sleeping predator, Selene seeks the truth about Corvin's Lycan pursuers and discovers plots and traitors that threaten the very existence of her species. And in the midst of it, she must choose between allegiance to the Vampire coven and loyalty to Corvin as she begins to understand that the war she has been fighting is not at all what it seems.

Underworld is rated R primarily for violent content, which includes the gory mauling of an unsuspecting Vampire convoy by Lycan ambushers. The film also contains some objectionable language. The content is somewhat entertaining, though some unfortunate acting created scenes that were intended to be serious but received laughter. Some production issues, mainly sound and soundtrack, also worked to distract the viewer and detract from the overall quality of the film. While Christian viewers will undoubtedly have a variety of opinions on the acceptability of fantasies including vampires and werewolves, a few significant issues bare mentioning. The word "coven", a term associated exclusively with witchcraft, is used to describe the vampire assembly. Vampires have also been associated with demons in many legends - hence the use of the cross to ward them off. With the severe violence, objectionable language and demonic/occult references, Preview recommends that you stay away from the Underworld.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: Screen Gems (Sony)