Underworld: Blood Wars Blu-ray Review
Score: 64
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Underworld: Blood Wars continues the saga with convoluted plot and bland action, appealing mainly to franchise fans, yet shines with excellent picture and sound quality.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 83
Underworld: Blood Wars delivers an exceptional 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, with deep black levels, vibrant blues, and striking reds against the film's dark gothic aesthetic. The 2.40:1 aspect ratio reveals intricate details, maintaining clarity in shadowy scenes, while varied color splashes enhance the visual experience.
Audio: 88
Underworld: Blood Wars' Blu-ray features a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, delivering dynamic sound with full-bodied bass, impressive depth, spatial clarity, and immersive atmospherics. While lacking an Atmos track, its gunfire, explosions, and nuanced audio elements create an engaging and expansive auditory experience.
Extra: 58
The Blu-ray extras of *Underworld: Blood Wars* provide comprehensive insights into character evolution, production design, and visual effects across four featurettes, a digital graphic novel, and multiple trailers, offering a well-rounded deep dive for fans and newcomers alike.
Movie: 56
Underworld: Blood Wars attempts to revive a fatigued franchise with its fifth installment, offering more of the same stylized gunfights and convoluted lore. Despite its visually appealing Nordic Coven setting, the film's repetitive plot and shallow character development fail to engage, making it a forgettable entry in the vampire-werewolf saga.
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Video: 83
The 1080p AVC MPEG-4 presentation of "Underworld: Blood Wars" on Blu-ray is an impressive visual feat that unleashes a near-reference quality experience for viewers. The film, sourced from a digital shoot, maintains a clean, detailed image without losing its signature dark and gothic atmosphere. Black levels are particularly well-handled, offering excellent distinction between the black attire and shadowy backgrounds—key elements for the film's aesthetic. While the styling favors a blue-heavy filter, the blacks never collapse into a single indistinguishable element, allowing details in clothing and settings to stand out starkly. The occasional presence of slight macroblocking and banding do not detract significantly from an otherwise superb transfer.
Presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, the film delivers razor-sharp lines and an engaging visual texture. Semira's baroque house showcases elaborate gothic furniture with intricate details, contrasted by the encrusted, moist stone walls of the Nordic coven, which effectively feel grimy and dank. The stylized photography ensures that even in these contrasting environments, visibility remains excellent. Bright yet sparsely used colors, such as electrifying blues and scarlet reds, punctuate the otherwise subdued palette, enhancing the vividly dark aesthetic with bold highlights of gunfire and explosions.
Character details are meticulously rendered; facial complexions appear revealing and natural, and both ornate costumes and tight latex outfits maintain their fine details under various lighting conditions. The cold steel blues blend seamlessly with the deep blacks throughout the movie, making the CGI elements almost imperceptible against the dark gothic canvas. Altogether, this Blu-ray release offers a visually stunning experience, making it arguably one of the best presentations in the franchise.
Audio: 88
The audio presentation of "Underworld: Blood Wars" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless track, is a treat for audiophiles. Despite not offering the immersive Dolby Atmos format available on the UHD version, the 5.1 track stands out for its dynamic and robust soundscape. The presentation delivers full-bodied bass, excellent depth, and range, ensuring a rich auditory experience. Action scenes are expansive and thoroughly engaging, with gunfire and explosions resonating with impressive bottom-end depth. The soundstage is effectively utilized, with chaos and discrete effects emanating from every speaker, creating an enveloping environment during large-scale action sequences as well as more intimate confrontations.
Significantly, the sound design captures the atmospheric nuances of the movie exceptionally well. From the cold, blustery winds sweeping through the Nordic Coven to the subtle noises in the background, such as wind blowing through caves and growling Lycans, every element is meticulously implemented. The surrounds and subwoofer are consistently engaged, ensuring that music spills into the stage with lifelike clarity. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized, maintaining focus in the center channel with light reverberation that adds dimension. The low-end capabilities provide a thunderous feel to gunshots, explosions, and other impactful moments, truly rattling walls with their intensity.
Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track excels in creating an immersive 360° soundfield. The mix is particularly notable for its extensive mid-range dynamic, crisp detailing during chaotic sequences, and a wall-rattling low-end that resonates powerfully throughout. Elements such as the echoing growls of Lycans, thunderclaps, and bullets flying in various directions offer an expansive and gratifying audio experience deserving of high praise.
Extra: 58
The Blu-ray release of Underworld: Blood Wars offers a robust collection of extras that provide both insightful behind-the-scenes details and deeper explorations of character development. The featurettes cover a range of topics from a retrospective on the main character Selene’s evolution to intricate examinations of supporting and new characters. There is also a comprehensive look at the film’s production under the direction of Anna Foerster. Additionally, viewers can delve into a digital graphic novel adaptation of the movie. The extra features are well-produced in HD and offer viewer-friendly navigation with clear subtitles and comprehensive chapter menus.
Extras included in this disc:
- The Evolution of Selene: A retrospective on Selene’s character throughout the series.
- Old & New Blood: Detailed look at characters like Thomas, David, Vidar, and Lena.
- The Evil Evolved: Exploration of the villains including Cassius, Semira, Varga, Alexia, and Marius.
- Building a Blood War: Overview of the film’s production, direction by Anna Foerster, visual effects, and more.
- Underworld: Blood Wars Graphic Novel: Interactive digital graphic novel adaptation with musical background.
- Previews: Trailers for additional Sony titles.
Movie: 56
"Underworld: Blood Wars" continues the franchise's legacy of stylized, slow-motion gunfights between vampires and Lycans, though it brings little new to the table. The movie follows protagonist Selene, played by Kate Beckinsale, as she navigates betrayal and violence in a perpetually blue-filtered world. Betrayed by Vampire Semira and targeted by Lycans for her daughter's location, Selene must rely on David (Theo James) and the refuge of the Nordic Coven to survive. Although the shift to a snowy white environment offers a visual respite from the franchise's typical aesthetics, it does little to invigorate a series that appears to be treading water.
Despite attempts to iterate on its predecessors by introducing new plot elements such as the Nordic Coven, "Blood Wars" fails to escape the pitfalls of repetitive storytelling and underwhelming action. The film is laden with portentous dialogue and self-important posturing, barely disguised by CGI effects and copious bloodletting. Characters remain shallow stereotypes, and the narrative complexity could alienate newcomers while leaving long-time fans craving deeper engagement. The plot feels like a recycled medley of past entries, focusing again on Selene being hunted by both vampires and Lycans. With an uninspired script and lackluster direction, the movie seems designed solely to meet the bloodthirsty expectations of its niche audience rather than to break any new ground.
Under Anna Foerster's direction, notable primarily for her work as a second-unit director and cinematographer, the film manages to maintain a polished surface but lacks depth in story or character development. While die-hard fans may find some satisfaction in familiar elements and establishing moments, the overall experience is likely to induce more eye rolls than gasps. Far from reviving the franchise, "Blood Wars" feels more like a retread of old ground, punctuated by occasional bursts of action that fail to elevate the material beyond its well-worn tropes.
Total: 64
“Underworld: Blood Wars” represents the fifth installment in this long-running horror-fantasy saga, focusing on the ageless battle between the aristocratic vampires and savage werewolves. While the film seeks to further the chronicle of Kate Beckinsale's tenacious Selene, it largely fails to infuse new life into the series. Instead, it sticks rigidly to its well-established formula, delivering predictable action sequences and a convoluted plot that only die-hard fans are likely to follow or appreciate. For casual viewers, it’s laden with intricate lore that may be difficult to digest, offering little incentive beyond its aesthetic design.
From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release of "Underworld: Blood Wars" excels as expected. Sony delivers a high-caliber visual and audio experience, ensuring fans can enjoy every meticulously crafted scene in stunning clarity and with robust sound. Additionally, the supplementary materials, although not particularly compelling, include several character-centric featurettes and a digital graphic novel which round out the package. Unfortunately, these extras do little to broaden its appeal beyond the franchise’s existing fan base.
The movie remains entrenched in its own mythology with limited innovation, an approach that might leave newcomers and even some fans unimpressed or disengaged. Ultimately, "Underworld: Blood Wars" offers franchise enthusiasts a visually polished continuation of Selene's saga but fails to attract or retain interest from a broader audience.
In conclusion, "Underworld: Blood Wars" serves to sustain its narrative yet does little to expand or enhance it meaningfully. While technically proficient, the Blu-ray release's excellent audio-visual presentation alone does not compensate for the lack of engaging new content or appealing narrative shifts. This installment is purely for those already committed to the franchise's gothic allure.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 90
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...
Audio: 100
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....
Extras: 50
The Evil Evolved (1080p, 6:07): More character exploration, this time featuring Cassius, Semira, Varga, Alexia, and Marius....
Movie: 40
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...
Total: 70
Action is bland, story mechanics are convoluted, the movie gives no real reason for the audience to care, particularly the casual crowd....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
In fact, while Semira's coven is clean and tidy without the slightest sign of dirt, the cold stone dwellings of the Nordic coven feel grimy and dank because we can see moisture running down the pockmarked,...
Audio: 100
The action is also equally spread across all three front channels where lots of background activity and movement provides the movie with engaging, spacious presence....
Extras: 20
Building a Blood War (HD, 12 min): The standard EPK-like piece detailing the production, its design and place in the franchise, featuring cast & crew interviews with lots of BTS footage....
Movie: 40
Sadly, in spite of this mildly interesting twist to the franchise, the whole affair is more likely to put viewers into a deep slumber in the nearest grave than it is in resuscitating this pulse-challenged...
Total: 60
Continuing the saga of Kate Beckinsale's death-dealing Selene, the latest entry does not succeed in resuscitating this pulse-challenged series while also not sending it to its final grave....
Home Theater Forum review by Kevin EKRead review here
Video: 90
Again, where the design really gets interesting is in the white snow of the Nordic section, which really pops against the black and blue of the rest of the movie’s palette....
Audio: 90
It’s a solid soundtrack, with the many gunfights and booming score moments blasting through the home theater with some force....
Extras: 40
Selecting this option will open a separate area of the Blu-ray with its own menu for interacting with a digital comic book adaptation of the movie....
Movie: 20
I’ll allow that she at least tends to stage things in a clear manner, and the design of the movie is interesting to see – particularly the Nordic coven....
Total: 20
It’s the fifth movie in a series of these vampire/werewolf action jaunts, and it’s so top-heavy with its own plot accretions and its own self-importance that new viewers are likely to just be lost trying...
Director: Anna Foerster
Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies
PlotSelene, a formidable vampire death dealer, finds herself in the crossfire of a brutal war between the vampire and the lycan clans. Despite her illustrious history as one of her kind's most powerful warriors, both sides have turned against her as they pursue her blood for its unique properties – blood that can bestow enhanced strength and invulnerability. As the new lycan leader, Marius, aggressively pushes his werewolf clan's advantage, Selene must confront betrayals and seek out allies in unexpected places to protect herself and the vampire race from certain destruction.
Struggling to cope with the immense losses she has endured, Selene sets out on a quest for vengeance and redemption. Her quest leads her to seek training from an elite vampire coven unyielding in their rules and ways. Meanwhile, the lycan threat grows more powerful with each passing day as they close in on the vampires. With a deepening conflict ramping up on both sides, necessary alliances are formed, and Selene, with the help of her old ally David and his father Thomas, must brave the intense enmity that surrounds her, navigating a maze of conspiracies, treachery, and savage warfare to turn the tide in the immortals’ favor.
Writers: Cory Goodman, Kyle Ward, Kevin Grevioux
Release Date: 06 Jan 2017
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Saami