Underworld: Blood Wars Blu-ray Review

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.

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.

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.

"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.

“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.