The Underworld franchise has always come across as the Resident Evil series' slightly-simpler cousin, but this fourth entry marks some slight improvement. The opening capture/escape is lively, design is effective, the action is full-blooded if - as usual - over-reliant on variably-successful CGI, the final multi-character-smackdown works and direction is well-handled and maintains interest visually. Kate Beckinsale gives 100% in a focused if one-note performance, and there is good Brit support from Charles Dance, Stephen Rea and also Theo James making a surprisingly confident move up to the big screen. The difficulty lies with the relentlessly-predictable plot trajectory, thus giving the viewer little with which to engage emotionally; there is no real sense of threat, danger or true thrills that come off the screen, and it really is a case of 'sit and watch the movie' as it unfolds. Nevertheless, this is a well-made genre offering with some ambitious ideas, some well-staged action and a clear determination to raise the bar for the franchise.
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