Ever since Underworld first hit the big screen in 2003, I have devoured every movie in the franchise. If you have been following my blog for any time, you will know that I have a soft spot for strong female lead characters. Kate Beckinsale more than fits the bill with her performance as Selene; and it's her strength and protective nature that drives each film (not to mention her sleek, black clad outfit that lures in the fanboys).
Released in 2012, Underworld: Awakening is the fourth installment in the franchise and harkens to another soft spot of mine: revenge movies. The movie begins some time after the second movie with vampires and lycans alike hiding from the humans as the first 'purge' begins. Separated after an explosion, Selene wakes up twelve years later to discover a strange new world. Plagued with strange visions, Selene escapes where she was held captive and searches for her true love: Michael. When she comes across a young girl instead, Selene has more questions than answers and seeks to kill anyone in her path to find Michael and protect the girl.
Though not the strongest movie in the line, Awakening did have some solid scenes while introducing a new character. Having read some interviews with the creators, I do understand the logic with not having Scott Speedman return, but I disagree as well. The two were an unstoppable force together and having their forces combined to protect the girl could have opened up even stronger opponents for them to battle, and taken the stakes up several notches. Though it was heartening to have Selene continue to search for Michael, it was also heart breaking to have the movie end the way it did.