IN A dark Gothic future, a war is raging between the aristocratic Vampires and the violent menacing Lycans (werewolves).

Sworn enemies for many centuries, they battle fearlessly for control of the underworld, while the human race continues with its day-to-day routine, oblivious to this secret, unrelenting war.

Amidst the carnage, Vampire warrior Selene (Kate Beckinsale) discovers a Lycan plot to kidnap human doctor Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman).

She has no idea why the werewolves would want Michael, but she resolves to protect him nevertheless, fending off swarms of vicious predators.

Unfortunately, the Lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen) pounces on the human and bites him, infecting Michael with the Lycan virus which will completely consume him by the next full moon.

Despite the age old decree which forbids the union of Vampires and Lycans, upheld by the current Vampire leader Kraven (Shane Brolly), Selene continues to shelter Michael while unravelling the complex Lycan plot surrounding him.

Unable to deny their forbidden desires, Selene and Michael find themselves caught in the middle of the ancient feud, destined to fight each other to the death.

Underworld smacks of a low rent Romeo & Juliet.

Unfortunately, whereas Shakespeare's classic text hinges on a heart breaking romance, Underworld manufactures its pivotal love affair seemingly from out of the ether.

One minute Selene and Michael are looking at each other, the next moment they are kissing.

Beckinsale trots out a minimalist performance, allowing very little emotion to register on her flawless, porcelain features.

Speedman is slightly more animated, but his role is poorly written.

The action set-pieces are frenetically choreographed and doused in lashings of blood, but are needlessly drawn out by the characters' inability to shoot a stationary target.

At just over two hours, the film is overlong.

The plot is unnecessarily muddled, culminating in a hoary final image which suggests the possibility of a sequel. Let's thrust a stake through the heart of that idea right now.

Rating: 4/10.

DAMON SMITH