Some aspects will remain consistent within the lengthy and continuing sci-fi/horror saga, the **Underworld** film franchise. The vampires will still have sharp fangs capable of piercing a sturdy leather sofa with a single bite, and the werewolves will be exceptionally hairy. Predictably, the female lead of this Gothic action movie—Kate Beckinsale, who previously starred in _Love & Friendship’s_—will wear skin-tight leather clothing that clings to her figure as tightly as a young child holds onto their mother's leg when entering a classroom for the first time. What is also expected is the sluggish plot, over-the-top supernatural creatures behaving more irritatingly than your drunk Uncle Jake wearing a bra at a family cookout, and Beckinsale’s warrior character Selene acting as a tough, bloodthirsty figure trying to mediate between opposing forces. Yes folks…you heard correctly that this is the fifth installment of the **Underworld** universe, which asserts itself with all the impact and relevance of unwanted luggage left at an airport. First-time feature director Anna Foerster (from TV’s “Outlander”) attempts to inject some freshness into the stale, cheesy **Underworld: Blood Wars**—a shallow B-movie offering that even Dracula would decline to watch, even if it were free at a blood bank. Relentlessly bland, uninspired and heavily recycled, **Blood Wars** offers nothing compelling or challenging for viewers after its fifth outing and should have stopped development long before the 2003 release directed by Len Wiseman, nearly fourteen years ago. Nevertheless, dedicated fans gave Beckinsale a theatrical movie role (along with the popularity of vampires/werewolves in cinema) that has lasted an impressive amount of time, which is hard to explain. However, longevity doesn't necessarily mean much regarding the simple idea of a former orphaned vampire transforming into a brutal, butt-kicking force as the conflict between the Lycans (a.k.a. “lycanthrope” or werewolves) and vampires escalates to a new level of chaos. Sure, Selene isn’t exactly as clever or calculating as Aliens’ Ripley (though who is, right?) but she shares a similar generic quality with _Resident Evil’s_ Alice, which had a longer run of sequels before **Underworld**. Foerster ensures that **Underworld: Blood Wars** quickly moves into its silly action sequences—some are purely for amusement while others feel drawn out and monotonous. Screenwriters Cory Goodman and Kyle Ward fill the film with predictable clichés in this toothless fable, as the plot wanders aimlessly more than Beckinsale’s golden hair during a fight scene. The dialogue is simplistic, confrontations are familiar, and the dullness of opposing factions aside, **Blood Wars** does make reasonable use of Selene/Beckinsale in combat situations, and the CGI visuals are engaging when they aren't choppy. The fact that Selene has to find some kind of compromise for either side does introduce a slight sense of tension amid the chaotic warfare, and Beckinsale portrays this adequately. However, **Blood Wars** will provide comfort entertainment for those familiar with Selene’s journey as she navigates the wild mess involving her species battling the defiant Lycans. For viewers new to **Underworld**, or casual moviegoers, they will witness a poorly developed, ridiculously trite horror film that is sure to leave **Blood Wars** feeling like a pointless distraction. A generic exercise in filmmaking, Foerster’s intense character Beckinsale's Selene is adequate for her fifth appearance, but that isn’t saying much considering the story never seems to move her beyond some of her past adventures from the previous four **Underworld** films. The supporting actors—such as Charles Dance’s elder vampire Thomas, Theo James’s David (a possible romantic interest for Selene), Lara Pulver’s Semira and Tobias Menzies’s Marius—are skilled performers but they don't add much atmosphere to the superficial indulgence within this supernatural story. There’s no need to end these vampires and werewolves permanently because they have repeatedly shown that Selene and her creature buddies are not going anywhere soon after almost fifteen years of creating strange nonsense. It makes you want to put a stake through your own chest, doesn't it? **Underworld: Blood Wars** (2017) Lakeshore Entertainment 1 hr. 31 mins. Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Charles Dance, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, James Faulkner, Clementine Nicholson, Peter Andersson Directed by: Anna Foerster MPAA Rating: R Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Action & Adventure/Fantasy Critic’s rating: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) (c) **Frank Ochieng** (2016)

Source on TMDB