|
The picture is superb with not a single glitch to be found on the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image.
Sadly, there's no DTS soundtrack this time, leaving just a Dolby Digital 5.1 option which could've been
avoided if they'd released it as a 2-disc set like the first film's special edition. No doubt EIV will
pull that trick again later on. While the sound effects are good in the opening scene, there's a
number of other occasions, such as towards the end when it involves a helicopter, where it's really
lacking which is a great shame.
The film was, again, shot in Super 35 so the 16:9 and 4:3 clips on many of the extras show extra screen
height top and bottom with little or no cropping for non-CGI scenes.
There are no chapters in the extras at all, most of which you can predict the content inside, and they
total 77 minutes - not including the commentary, starting with:
- Bloodlines: From Script To Screen (13:23) which sets the tone for all six featurettes where
chat from the cast and crew, filmed in 4:3, is mixed in with 2.35:1 letterboxed film clips. Here
we're told that all concerned felt there was more of a story to be told (and more money to be made, as
a result) so cue the inevitable sequel. Of course, these additions should only be watched once you've
seen the movie itself so you don't encounter spoilers.
- The Hybrid Theory (12:58), I was expecting would've gone into more detail about Michael's
predicament, instead just concentrates on the visual effects used in several scenes through the film
and how CGI wasn't always relied upon exclusively to get the job done, to get a better overall effect.
- Making Monsters Roar (11:54) is subtitled 'Creature Effects' and you can guess which aspect
of the movie this one is about.
- The War Rages On (9:52) is about the stunts and stunt coordinator Brad Martin confirms
what we could see in that there's more action in this sequel, when compared to the original.
- Building a Saga (12:54) features production design with a scale that's 2-3 times larger than
the first one and a budget to match that allows them to do things they didn't get chance to do back then.
- Music and Mayhem (11:48) is, as you'd expect, about the music score and the sound design
throughout the movie.
- Music Video (3:52): This one's for Her Portrait in Black by Atreyu and grunges along
loudly.
- Audio Commentary: The last extra on this DVD is a feature-length commentary courtesy of
director Len Wiseman, Editor Nick De Toth, production designer Patrick Tatopoulous
and stunt coordinator Brad Martin.
The DVD menu has subtle animation to reflect the look of Marcus' tomb with some great DD5.1 sound,
but there's a pitiful 12 chapters to the film - half the number the original had - and the subtitles
are in English only.
My only complaint about the presentation is that EIV have stuck a trailer at the start of the disc
for Slither, prior to when the main menu appears. Just what do you think the 'extras' section
is for, EIV? We've grown out of the procedures once exploited from the days of video rental.
|
Underworld: Evolution: 
Underworld: Evolution
starts off in 1202 AD where the two sons of Alexander Corvinus (Derek Jacobi),
Marcus (Tony Curran) and William (Brian Steele) are having rather a to-do, as
sibling rivalry can often exhibit.
There are lots of flashbacks to the first film to remind you of what happened, and also as Marcus, now
awoken, sets about to have his vengeance and track down Michael, the method of which will become clear
as you watch the film. Derek Jacobi does a good turn as Alexander Corvinus, the father of all the vampires,
and Steven Mackintosh hams it up nicely as Andreas Tanis, a man who's been in exile for the past
300 years for reasons I'll also leave you to discover, but he's essential for helping Selene and Michael
piece everything together.
