6
ntertainment
The
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006
Clackamas
‘Underworld: Evolution’ unevolvec
Jadon Triplett
A&E Editor
“Underworld: Evolution” is
a disappointing follow up to its
smarter predecessor.
“Evolution”
starts
by
showing us the first vampire
(Marcus, who in the pres
ent day is one of the ruling
elders of the vampire clan) and
first werewolf (William, twin
brother of Marcus). The open
ing sequence is set about 1000
years ago, when Marcus and
the vampires are hunting the
lycans (a term for werewolves),
specifically William, who is
unable to revert to human form
(like most vampires and lycans)
and is very dangerous. At the
end of the scene William is
captured and imprisoned, but
not killed because Marcus will
not allow him to die.
Fast forward to present
day: Marcus is awakened from
Dracula-style hibernation and
decides he wants to free William
from his prison, although the
movie doesn’t quite explain
why Marcus decides to wait
1000 years to do it. We’re
just supposed to accept that he
wants to free , him, and that is
going to be the conflict.
This brings the viewer to
the next unexplained event in
the movie. The vampire hero-
ine Selene (Kate Beckinsale)
decides to stop Marcus and
“save thè world.”
This
doesn’t make a whole lot of
sense because Selene is on
the run with Michael (Scott
Speedman), the hybrid lycan/
vampire that she’s in love with
and helped create in the original
“Underworld.” He resembles a
smaller Incredible Hulk, with
the same dilated-looking black
eyes, but without the purple
pants.
She doesn’t really have a
good reason to go after Marcus
and William, other than it is the
“right thing to do.” The viewer
is of course expected to accept
this and keep watching.
Despite its shortcomings
“Evolution” does have a few
things going for it.
There
is no shortage of action in
“Evolution,” just a shortage of
clever writing. The twists in
the' story are at times com
pletely predictable, and other
times sacrifice plot consistency
(or any semblance of reason)
for action.
I am aware that I just used
the word “reason” in connection
with an action/horror flick, and
how contradictory that notion
is. However, after the surpris
ingly smart and engaging plot
of the first “Underworld” I had
a reason to believe this movie
wouldn’t be so bad
Some of the creative ways
to kill somebody this movie
makes use of are enjoyable in
a “Kill Bill” meets James Bond
fashion, creating the ultimate
cheesy violence smoothie.
The best part is when a heli
copter crashes nose-first into
William’s prison, where Selene
makes use of the still-spinning
blades to chop one of the vil
lains to pieces.
As far as the villains go,
they are one of the better
things “Evolution” has to offer.
William as the very first were
wolf is awesome, although the
movie fails to explain how he
survives in his prison without
blood for a thousand years.
Marcus, the first vam
pire, is also well done, and
like the lycans, not something
one would want to meet in a
dark alley. He looks like a
cross between a gargoyle and
a demonic bat. He’s the only
vampire in either movie to have
wings.
The other saving grace of
this film is Beckinsale’s acting.
When she should be giggling
at the material she is working
with she keeps a straight a face.
She also makes a convincing
and attractive vampire.
But Beckinsale isn’t enough
to save this film. Don’t bother
with the high prices and sub
par service of your local the
ater; wait until this one comes
out on video.
Internet
Like most action-packed sequels, “Underworld: Evolutl
favors rediculously predictable action over a decent st
Local group Electric Melanoma have potential, but need wo
Tayo Stalnaker
The Clackamas Print
The Portland area has been
home to many great local bands.
Jollymon gave us their amazing
live shows with pyrotechnics and
deep bass grooves. Grindstone
gave us their raw energy and
powerful vocals. Now a new
band is appearing in the local
club scene, Electric Melanoma.
They’re young, but they do have
potential.
Electric Melanoma started up
over the summer. They’re most
ly doing shows in Sandy, their
hometown, but they just start
ed getting gigs in the Portland
area.
Listening to their demo songs
one can tell they’re new to
recording. However, musically
they have a lot of talent.
As far as their lyrics and
music are concerned, they could
use some help. Their lyrics are
pretty juvenile and could use
some touching up, and their lead
singer Robert does need some
practice. But he’s not as bad
as the ill-fated Implement lead
vocalist was.
With indie-rock becoming
more and more popular, it’s
no surprise Electric Melanoma
chose this route with their music.
At least they’re trying to make
their own indie-rock sound and
aren’t trying to emulate another
band’s sound.
“You know, I can’t honestly
say any band directly contrib
utes to the sounds we’ve cre
ated,” lead singer Robert said. “I
mean, you can find certain styles
from certain genres, metal and
punk overtones in Kris’s drum
ming, grungy and dragged out
singing, unclean guitar sounds,
and total punk bass.”
At first listen it may seem that
Electric Melanoma isn’t really
taking their music seriously. A
lot of their songs are written to
be funny, but it’s mostly sopho
moric humor. If this band wants
to be taken seriously they really
need. to come up with better
lyrics. However, at least one of
them may be starting to realize
that.
“In the beginning, I think
we wanted to get somewhere.
Then [we] kind of lost it for
awhile and [we] were just mess
ing around, but nov
it serious. I take it
like any other thing I do
cally. I love what we’ve c
no matter how ridiculous]
Robert said.
Electric Melanoma u
nately doesn’t have a dem
out yet, but if you want to
to a few of their songs yo
go to there website at:
myspace.com/electricmeli
They just finished p
their first show in Portlari
are gearing up for a shi
Feb. 4. It will be at the
Community Center at 7 p.
Oregon residents: Take 8 credits or less and pay1
same in-state tuition rate as Washington residen
Call 360-546-9779 for detail
W ashington S tate U niversity
Contact Us Toda
www. vancouver .wsue