Underworld: Evolution

Underworld films are a highly specialized taste, and those who've acquired it know who they are. Everyone else should give this one a wide berth.

The plot is so convoluted that missing even five minutes at a stretch won't make any difference in your comprehension of the story.

The digital critters look much better than in the first film, it's fun seeing Derek Jacobi and Bill Nighy vamp it up, and the sight of Kate in that suit makes it worth squinting through all the murk.

I can't even begin to divulge the storyline because it's mostly unfathomable.

Evolution's action sequences are as horribly bungled as its plot, resulting in a string of repetitive confrontations that feel toothless even by the last movie's standards.

The murkily atmospheric sets resemble the ruins and prisons of Piranesi.

With more sloppy computer graphics rendering more fantastical movie monsters, the sequel boasts a lot of digital fakery directed without much grace. The result is dark and noisy and sorta fun to chuckle at, not with.

The plot remains a rambling nonsense of ancient evil, clan rivalries, and hidden history.

While it is still plagued by many of the same problems of the first film, Underworld: Evolution is generally an improvement over the original and an entertaining diversion.

Yes, I'll admit, it's better than the first film, but really not by much.