I went into this one completely blind - without viewing the trailer or reading a synopsis; that was a good thing.
The first few scenes cry "Facility Shooter" with depictions of a heavily armed military squad entering an underground structure to engage some kind of genetic experiment gone haywire. When done properly - as in this film - a true fan of science fiction/horror requires little more to wet his appetite.
We fast forward a couple of years and the script introduces us to a pair of Marine Corps buddies just back from a combat tour, a lifelong buddy of one of them and, two girls he apparently grew up with. The final of the main characters is also a Marine - I presume. She is introduced as a doctor the Caucasian Marine met while in theater.
Just after the friends' reunion at a crowded rave held on an old military base is completed, one of the Marines gets into a brawl with a gangbanger, swiftly incapacitates his foe and wins the wrath of the rest of the banger's crew. I enjoyed this scene as, it is far too often in horror or thriller genre films these days that male leads and supporting protagonists are portrayed as wimps.
The two Marine buddies put up an impressive fight against multiple gang members until the bad guys rally their numbers and pull out the guns. Our party of heroes and supporting cast make a run for it and manage to shut out their pursuers on the other side of a steel door, but at the cost of finding themselves locked in and trapped deeper inside the facility. Yes, it is the same facility from the beginning of the movie, and thus begins the horror and campy sci-fi as the premise runs its course.
As a rabid horror and science fiction fan, I thoroughly enjoy the concept of forgotten or decommissioned unconventional military weaponry locked away in some claustrophobic underground bunker just waiting for a trespassing civilian to unleash. Hence the premise of 'Underground' and in my opinion, a premise rich with possibility.
As the aforementioned premise is explored by the quite capable cinematography, script and acting, we get to know our characters and I for one, began to care about them even though a few of them are immediately snatched away from us. The story unfolding as I had expected, I really began to wish these two Marines had decided on different way, or rather place, to celebrate their return from the war.
Once again, if you are a fan of the combination of horror, science fiction and thriller with some action added for spice, you will definitely appreciate where 'Underground' is coming from and where it takes you. As do many other films of the genre, 'Underground' asks you "What if?" "What if you unexpectedly found yourself trapped a few stories below ground, pursued by a lethal opposing force?" "What would you do different?"
I love it. Opens the mind and makes one think and experience fear right along with the characters on screen.
Some have complained about the lighting in this film. I suspect they must have watched bad internet versions, as the lighting on the Blue Ray is just adequate enough to thoroughly reveal the goings on - start to finish.
Special effects are great. A minimum of GGI was used, thus younger viewers may not appreciate the skill of the effects crew as much as one such as myself who grew up before the computer generated film effects revolution.
Overall, 'Underground' is a highly entertaining entry in the horror and science fiction hybrid genre. It is a film that will most appeal to serious fans of said genre, but should be well enough received by most any horror fan.
I wholeheartedly recommend this film and subtract two stars only for the use of young people in yet another desperate survival situation. However, I give one star back for the inclusion of combat veterans as the two main characters, and the obvious use of an effective military adviser by the writer/director.
If you get a chance check this one out.
The first few scenes cry "Facility Shooter" with depictions of a heavily armed military squad entering an underground structure to engage some kind of genetic experiment gone haywire. When done properly - as in this film - a true fan of science fiction/horror requires little more to wet his appetite.
We fast forward a couple of years and the script introduces us to a pair of Marine Corps buddies just back from a combat tour, a lifelong buddy of one of them and, two girls he apparently grew up with. The final of the main characters is also a Marine - I presume. She is introduced as a doctor the Caucasian Marine met while in theater.
Just after the friends' reunion at a crowded rave held on an old military base is completed, one of the Marines gets into a brawl with a gangbanger, swiftly incapacitates his foe and wins the wrath of the rest of the banger's crew. I enjoyed this scene as, it is far too often in horror or thriller genre films these days that male leads and supporting protagonists are portrayed as wimps.
The two Marine buddies put up an impressive fight against multiple gang members until the bad guys rally their numbers and pull out the guns. Our party of heroes and supporting cast make a run for it and manage to shut out their pursuers on the other side of a steel door, but at the cost of finding themselves locked in and trapped deeper inside the facility. Yes, it is the same facility from the beginning of the movie, and thus begins the horror and campy sci-fi as the premise runs its course.
As a rabid horror and science fiction fan, I thoroughly enjoy the concept of forgotten or decommissioned unconventional military weaponry locked away in some claustrophobic underground bunker just waiting for a trespassing civilian to unleash. Hence the premise of 'Underground' and in my opinion, a premise rich with possibility.
As the aforementioned premise is explored by the quite capable cinematography, script and acting, we get to know our characters and I for one, began to care about them even though a few of them are immediately snatched away from us. The story unfolding as I had expected, I really began to wish these two Marines had decided on different way, or rather place, to celebrate their return from the war.
Once again, if you are a fan of the combination of horror, science fiction and thriller with some action added for spice, you will definitely appreciate where 'Underground' is coming from and where it takes you. As do many other films of the genre, 'Underground' asks you "What if?" "What if you unexpectedly found yourself trapped a few stories below ground, pursued by a lethal opposing force?" "What would you do different?"
I love it. Opens the mind and makes one think and experience fear right along with the characters on screen.
Some have complained about the lighting in this film. I suspect they must have watched bad internet versions, as the lighting on the Blue Ray is just adequate enough to thoroughly reveal the goings on - start to finish.
Special effects are great. A minimum of GGI was used, thus younger viewers may not appreciate the skill of the effects crew as much as one such as myself who grew up before the computer generated film effects revolution.
Overall, 'Underground' is a highly entertaining entry in the horror and science fiction hybrid genre. It is a film that will most appeal to serious fans of said genre, but should be well enough received by most any horror fan.
I wholeheartedly recommend this film and subtract two stars only for the use of young people in yet another desperate survival situation. However, I give one star back for the inclusion of combat veterans as the two main characters, and the obvious use of an effective military adviser by the writer/director.
If you get a chance check this one out.