Underworld: Evolution (2006)

Director: Len Wiseman
Notable Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, Steven Mackintosh, Shane Brolly, Bill Nighy, Zita Gorog, Brian Steele

In all honesty, my expectations were quite low for Underworld: Evolution. The first film wasn't great, but was carried over by its charm and style. Could it really work twice? Turns out Len Wiseman made it work twice. Evolution may not be quite as solidified as the original one, but it still sparks a whollup of entertainment and gothic fun with its increasingly violent and epic plot. Hey, I'm always down for a good match between vampires and werewolves no matter how outrageous it's becoming.

Underworld (2003)

Director: Len Wiseman
Notable Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder, Sophia Myles, Robbie Gee

Despite all of this Twilight hoopla that has made vampires the next big thing in the last few years and the subject matter of inter-monster relationships that has spread way too far into the melodrama category, Underworld was one of the first films (along with Blade a few years earlier) to capitalize on making vampires these super cool anti-heroes in this modern cinematic age for young film fans. Although the film is basically a rip off of The Matrix in so many ways, it does contain an extensive amount of charm to its simplified epic tale and its executions. This leaves a film that may not change your outlook on the mythos of any of the creatures involved, but entertains with enough finesse to kick start a franchise that's worth the time.