Review: Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

Introduction

Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) is the fifth installment in the long-running Underworld franchise, continuing the saga of the centuries-old war between vampires and Lycans. Directed by Anna Foerster, the film sees the return of Kate Beckinsale as Selene, the iconic Death Dealer, as she fights to survive against both factions while seeking redemption and a new purpose.

Following Underworld: Awakening (2012), Blood Wars attempts to expand the lore of the series, introducing new characters and power struggles within the vampire hierarchy. However, despite its stylish action sequences and dark gothic aesthetic, the film struggles with a lackluster script, underdeveloped characters, and a sense of repetition that makes it feel like more of the same rather than a fresh evolution of the franchise.

影評：《決戰異世界：弒血之戰》（2016）

前言

《決戰異世界：弒血之戰》（Underworld: Blood Wars，2016）是長壽系列電影《決戰異世界》的第五部作品，延續了吸血鬼與狼人之間長達數世紀的戰爭。由安娜·福斯特（Anna Foerster）執導，本片迎來凱特·貝琴薩（Kate Beckinsale）再度回歸，飾演經典的死亡行者（Death Dealer）賽琳娜（Selene）。在敵對陣營的圍剿下，她不僅要為生存而戰，還要尋求救贖與新的使命。

作為 2012 年《決戰異世界4：未來復甦》（Underworld: Awakening）的延續，《弒血之戰》試圖拓展世界觀，引入新的角色與吸血鬼內部的權力鬥爭。然而，儘管影片擁有風格化的動作場面與標誌性的哥德式黑暗美學，卻受制於薄弱的劇本、不夠深入的角色塑造，以及缺乏新意的敘事，最終讓這部作品更像是對舊有元素的重複，而非一次成功的系列革新。

Plot Overview

The story picks up after the events of Underworld: Awakening, with Selene being hunted by both the vampires and Lycans. The Lycans, now led by the ruthless and cunning Marius (Tobias Menzies), are growing stronger and seek Selene’s hybrid daughter, Eve, whose blood could grant them ultimate power. Meanwhile, the vampire covens are fractured, with some factions wishing to use Selene’s combat prowess while others want her dead for betraying their kind.

Selene, along with her ally David (Theo James), finds refuge in the Nordic vampire coven, where she uncovers new secrets about her lineage and gains newfound powers. As war looms, Selene must embrace her destiny, leading to an explosive final battle between the vampires and Lycans.

While the premise is engaging, the execution feels rushed, with character motivations often feeling underdeveloped. The film also fails to deliver significant twists or emotional stakes, making it predictable for long-time fans of the series.

劇情概述

故事承接《決戰異世界4：未來復甦》的事件發展，賽琳娜（Selene）成為吸血鬼與狼人的共同獵物。狼人一族在**殘暴且狡猾的領袖馬瑞斯（Marius，由托比亞斯·曼齊斯 Tobias Menzies 飾）**的帶領下勢力日漸壯大，他們試圖尋找賽琳娜的混血女兒伊芙（Eve），因為她的血擁有賦予狼人最強力量的潛能。另一方面，吸血鬼家族則四分五裂，部分吸血鬼想利用賽琳娜的戰鬥能力來對抗狼人，而另一些人則認為她曾背叛族群，因此想將她除掉。

在逃亡的過程中，賽琳娜與她的盟友大衛（David，由提奧·詹姆斯 Theo James 飾）來到北歐吸血鬼家族尋求庇護。在這裡，賽琳娜發現了自己血統的神秘秘密，並獲得了前所未有的新能力。隨著戰爭一觸即發，賽琳娜不得不直面自己的命運，最終引發了一場吸血鬼與狼人之間的終極對決。

儘管這個故事設定表面上引人入勝，但執行上卻顯得過於倉促。角色動機往往顯得缺乏深度，許多劇情發展流於表面，無法產生足夠的情感張力。此外，影片幾乎沒有帶來任何出乎意料的劇情轉折，對於長期關注這個系列的影迷來說，故事走向顯得過於可預測，缺乏驚喜與創新。

Themes and Tone

Underworld: Blood Wars continues the franchise’s exploration of betrayal, survival, and the nature of power. The film attempts to showcase Selene’s journey from an outcast to a legendary warrior, yet it lacks the emotional depth that previous films (especially Underworld: Evolution) provided.

The gothic horror aesthetic remains intact, with dark castles, blood-soaked rituals, and an eternal war that emphasizes the tragic nature of both vampires and Lycans. However, the film struggles to introduce new ideas, instead relying on familiar tropes that make it feel like a rehash rather than a meaningful continuation.

主題與氛圍

《決戰異世界：血戰》延續了該系列對背叛、生存與權力本質的探討，並試圖刻畫賽琳娜如何從一名被族群驅逐的流亡者，蛻變為傳奇戰士的歷程。然而，相較於先前的作品（特別是《決戰異世界2：進化》），本片缺乏足夠的情感深度，使賽琳娜的個人成長顯得較為平淡。

電影仍然保留了哥德式恐怖風格，以黑暗的古堡、血腥的儀式，以及吸血鬼與狼人在永恆戰爭中的悲劇命運為核心。然而，本片未能帶來新的概念或深刻的世界觀拓展，反而過度依賴過往作品已使用的老套劇情與既有元素，讓整體氛圍更像是對前作的翻版，而非一次真正有意義的故事延續。

Action and Visuals

One of the Underworld franchise’s biggest strengths has always been its stylized action sequences, and Blood Wars delivers plenty of fast-paced combat. Selene’s fights against both vampires and Lycans showcase her deadly agility and expert marksmanship, while the large-scale battles between the two factions provide some thrilling moments.

However, the action feels less impactful than in previous films. Many sequences rely on quick cuts and CGI-heavy choreography, making them less engaging compared to the practical stunts and wirework seen in Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006).

The cinematography and visual effects maintain the franchise’s signature blue-tinted color palette, reinforcing the cold and eerie atmosphere. The introduction of the Nordic vampire coven offers a new aesthetic, with icy landscapes and ethereal elements that help differentiate it from previous settings. Unfortunately, these new elements are not fully explored, leaving them feeling underutilized.

動作與視覺效果

《決戰異世界》系列的一大亮點向來是其風格化的動作場面，而《血戰》同樣帶來了大量緊湊的戰鬥。賽琳娜與吸血鬼和狼人的交戰充分展現了她靈活致命的身手與精準槍法，而吸血鬼與狼人的大規模戰爭場面也提供了一些令人熱血沸騰的時刻。

然而，與前幾部作品相比，本片的動作場面衝擊力稍顯不足。許多戰鬥場景過度依賴快速剪輯與大量電腦特效，導致打鬥顯得較為凌亂且缺乏真實感。這與《決戰異世界》（2003）和《決戰異世界2：進化》（2006）中以實景特技與威亞動作為主的動作風格相比，少了幾分震撼力。

在視覺呈現方面，電影延續了系列作標誌性的冷藍色調，營造出一種冰冷而詭異的氛圍。此外，北歐吸血鬼族群的引入帶來了截然不同的視覺風格，例如冰雪覆蓋的景色與帶有神秘感的靈異元素，這些新設定在視覺上頗具吸引力。然而，電影未能深入挖掘這些元素，使其顯得潛力未被充分發揮，稍顯可惜。

Performances

Kate Beckinsale as Selene

Kate Beckinsale once again proves why she is the face of the Underworld franchise. She delivers a strong performance as Selene, balancing her character’s ferocity and vulnerability. However, the script gives her little emotional depth to explore, making her arc feel somewhat stagnant despite hints at personal growth.

Theo James as David

Theo James reprises his role as David, a vampire warrior determined to protect Selene and reshape the vampire world. While he has more screen time and a larger role in the plot, his character still lacks the charisma or complexity to make him a compelling protagonist.

Tobias Menzies as Marius

Tobias Menzies plays Marius, the new Lycan leader. While Menzies is a talented actor (known for Game of Thrones and Outlander), his villainous role feels underwritten. Marius lacks the presence and menace of previous Lycan leaders like Lucian (Michael Sheen), making him one of the franchise’s weaker antagonists.

Lara Pulver as Semira

Lara Pulver plays Semira, a power-hungry vampire who seeks control over the covens. While she delivers an entertainingly manipulative performance, her character feels one-dimensional, relying on predictable betrayals and political scheming that do little to elevate the story.

演出表現

凱特·貝金塞（Kate Beckinsale）飾 賽琳娜（Selene）

凱特·貝金塞再次證明了她是《決戰異世界》系列的靈魂人物，她成功展現出賽琳娜的剛強戰鬥力與內心脆弱間的微妙平衡。然而，劇本並未給予她足夠的情感深度來發揮，使得她的角色成長顯得停滯不前，即便劇情暗示她正在經歷某種轉變，也未能讓觀眾真正感受到這種演變的影響。

席歐·詹姆斯（Theo James）飾 大衛（David）

席歐·詹姆斯再次回歸飾演大衛，一名致力於保護賽琳娜並改革吸血鬼世界的戰士。雖然這一集給了他更多戲份與更重要的劇情任務，但他的角色仍然缺乏足夠的魅力與深度，難以成為一個真正有吸引力的主角。相比賽琳娜，他的角色塑造顯得較為扁平，缺少記憶點。

托比亞斯·曼齊司（Tobias Menzies）飾 馬留斯（Marius）

托比亞斯·曼齊司在片中飾演新一代狼人首領馬留斯。雖然曼齊司憑藉《權力遊戲》（Game of Thrones）與《異鄉人》（Outlander）展現過他的精湛演技，但在本片中，他的反派角色顯得過於單薄，缺乏真正的威脅感。與系列中最經典的狼人領袖路西恩（Lucian，麥可·辛 飾）相比，馬留斯不僅缺乏個人魅力與說服力，也沒有足夠的背景故事來讓觀眾理解他的動機，使他成為系列中最乏力的反派之一。

蘿拉·普沃（Lara Pulver）飾 賽蜜拉（Semira）

蘿拉·普沃飾演的賽蜜拉是一位野心勃勃的吸血鬼貴族，她不擇手段地想掌控吸血鬼世界。她的表現確實成功詮釋了角色的狡詐與操控性，並為電影增添了一些宮廷鬥爭的陰謀感。然而，這個角色仍然過於刻板與扁平，她的算計與背叛顯得過於公式化，未能為整體故事帶來真正的驚喜與深度。

Pacing and Storytelling

At 91 minutes, Underworld: Blood Wars is the shortest film in the series, and its pacing suffers as a result. The film rushes through its setup, introducing new factions and conflicts without giving them room to develop. Key story moments feel underexplored, and some subplots—like the search for Selene’s daughter—are barely addressed, making them feel like afterthoughts rather than crucial elements of the narrative.

The climax, while visually exciting, lacks emotional weight. The resolution feels abrupt, leaving many lingering questions about the future of the vampire-Lycan war and Selene’s ultimate fate.

節奏與敘事手法

《決戰異世界：血戰》的片長僅91 分鐘，成為系列中最短的一部，但這也導致了敘事節奏的嚴重失衡。電影過於倉促地推進劇情，在短時間內塞入大量新勢力與衝突，卻沒有給它們足夠的發展空間，使得許多關鍵故事線顯得過於表面化，缺乏深入刻畫。

例如，賽琳娜女兒的尋找本應是推動劇情的核心動力之一，但在本片中卻幾乎被輕描淡寫地略過，讓這條支線看起來像是被遺忘的伏筆，而非貫穿整部電影的重要元素。

至於最終高潮部分，雖然視覺上仍然刺激壯觀，但卻缺乏真正的情感張力。大決戰結束得過於倉促，讓人感覺劇情尚未完全展開就匆忙收尾，導致關於吸血鬼與狼人的戰爭未來、賽琳娜的最終命運等重要問題都未能得到令人滿意的解答，留下了太多未解之謎。

Music and Soundtrack

The score, composed by Michael Wandmacher, stays true to the franchise’s dark and gothic tone, blending orchestral elements with industrial and electronic influences. While the music effectively enhances the action and atmosphere, it lacks memorable themes compared to Paul Haslinger’s and Marco Beltrami’s work on earlier films.

音樂與原聲帶

由邁克爾·萬德馬赫（Michael Wandmacher）創作的原聲帶，繼承了系列一貫的黑暗哥德風格，將交響樂元素與工業音樂和電子音樂的影響融為一體。雖然音樂在強化動作場面和氛圍方面發揮了作用，但與保羅·哈斯林格（Paul Haslinger）和馬可·貝爾特拉米（Marco Beltrami）早期電影的作品相比，這部電影的音樂缺少了更具辨識度的主題，因此整體上略顯平淡，未能留下強烈的音樂印象。

Conclusion

Underworld: Blood Wars attempts to expand the franchise’s mythology while delivering the stylish action fans expect. However, it falls short due to a weak script, underdeveloped characters, and rushed storytelling. While Kate Beckinsale remains a compelling lead, and the film offers some visually engaging moments, it ultimately feels like a forgettable entry in a franchise that has lost its original spark.

For die-hard Underworld fans, there is some enjoyment to be found in the film’s action and gothic atmosphere. However, for casual viewers or those hoping for a strong continuation of Selene’s story, Blood Wars is a disappointing and uninspired sequel that struggles to justify its existence.

結論

《Underworld: Blood Wars》試圖擴展系列的神話背景，並呈現粉絲所期待的時尚動作場面。然而，由於劇本薄弱、角色發展不充分及敘事節奏過快，這部電影未能達到預期效果。儘管凱特·貝金塞爾（Kate Beckinsale）依然是吸引觀眾的核心，而電影也提供了一些視覺上引人入勝的片段，但最終這部作品還是顯得像是一部容易被遺忘的續集，並未能重現系列的原始魅力。

對於鐵杆粉絲來說，電影中的動作場面和哥德式氛圍還是能提供一些娛樂。然而，對於普通觀眾或那些期待繼續看到Selene的精彩故事的人來說，《Blood Wars》是一部令人失望且缺乏靈感的續集，難以為其存在提供有力的理由。

Final Verdict

Pros:
Kate Beckinsale’s performance as Selene remains strong
Stylish action sequences with some visually striking moments
Maintains the franchise’s gothic aesthetic

Cons:
Weak villain and underdeveloped supporting characters
Rushed storytelling and lack of emotional depth
Feels repetitive and fails to introduce meaningful new ideas

Final Rating: 5.5/10

最終評價

優點：

凱特·貝金塞爾（Kate Beckinsale）在飾演Selene上的表現依然強勁
時尚的動作場面，並有一些視覺上令人驚艷的瞬間
保持了系列的哥德式美學

缺點：

反派角色薄弱，配角角色發展不足
故事敘述急促，缺乏情感深度
感覺有些重複，未能帶來有意義的新想法

最終評分：5.5/10