Underworld (2003) Analysis

Underworld

The main settings used in the film are things like an old fashioned mansion, a grungy flat, a city and underground train tunnels. These all have connotations of being dark and eerie places. The setting itself evokes fear in the audience since they are not warm and friendly places to be meaning we recognise the danger straight away.

From the facial expressions we can see that the characters in the film are not happy or light-hearted people that we can warm to. They are cold and aggressive which reflects the tone of the film. However the stoic expressions leave the audience much more detached from them, unable to relate as much, which is effective because the majority of the characters are not actually human.

Again the main props are guns and knives, which have connotations of danger and death with the damage that they can cause. They add a new element to them by introducing the supernatural element that the bullets were designed especially to kill the lycans/werewolves.

This also links to the fact that there are a lot of fight scenes throughout the film. One in particular is scene is a massive fight in the underground train tunnels. The fact that this is a public place adds an element of danger and thrill to it for the audience. Furthermore it is used early on in the film therefore creating an enigma, as we want to know the reasons behind this violent outburst. It keeps the audience interested and wanting more.

Again the close ups used are of things of extreme significance to the film. They are usually something that the producers don’t want us to miss therefore close the screen on it so it is harder to miss. For example there is an important necklace around a characters neck with a symbol that is significant therefore we get a close up of it in order to notice it more clearly.

STOCK CHARACTERS;

The woman fits the role of being the GOOD GUY. She is one vampire that is different and seems to have morals compared to the rest. This makes her more human and she is someone that the audience can relate to even though she is a vampire. This is anchored by the fact that she talks about her human memories.

The TRAITOR is also important as he works for the vampires but has a secret allegiance with the lycans/werewolves. This is an essential role as it gives a sense of inevitability and the audience know something that the characters don’t which makes the feelings more desperate.

NARRATIVE THEORIES APPLIED TO UNDERWORLD;

Todrov…

EQULIBRIUM – At the beginning the woman is standing above the street below looking down on people walking through the streets, living their everyday normal lives.

DISRUPTION – The fight in the underground train station, when we see vampires and lycans/werewolves fighting in a public transport area.

REALISTATION – The woman realises the lycans/werewolves are after a human.

QUEST – She saves him, tries to get evidence to prove that the one of the main vampires had been a traitor and she also saves the man from turning into a complete lycan/werewolf by biting him.

NEW EQUILIBRIUM – The current fight is over (battle has been won but the war isn’t over) and the restored normality is different as the woman has left the vampire coven she was with realising it was evil and the man is no longer human but half vampire, half lycan/werewolf.

Propp…

HERO – FEMALE VAMPIRE (MAIN)           

VILLAIN – VAMPIRE COVEN

PRINCESS – THE HUMAN MAN          

DONOR/MENTOR – BOOKS/MAIN COVEN LEADER

HELPER – HE MAN ONCE HE IS HALF LYCAN/WEREWOLF AND HALF VAMPIRE