Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “First-time helmer Patrick Tatopoulos (who designed creatures for all three pics) offers a satisfyingly exciting monster rally that often plays like a period swashbuckler.”

  Joe Leydon, Variety · 70

• “Thanks to sturdy performances by holdovers Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy as well as tidy, unfussy direction by first-timer Patrick Tatopoulos, the creature designer who is taking the reins from originator Len Wiseman, the third installment in the successful franchise should be to the fan base's lycan.”

  Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter · 70

• “The highlight of this fantasy/horror hybrid is watching a pair of the best British character actors --- Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen -- shed their thespian respectability and unleash their inner beasts.”

  Claudia Puig, USA Today · 63

• “Although the presence of Mr. Sheen is initially distracting, it soon becomes the movie's greatest asset. There is, as it turns out, some benefit to having a real performance even in a formulaic entertainment like this.”

  Manohla Dargis, The New York Times · 60

• “Sheen and Nighy do their best with the material, but this is easily the worst Underworld so far.”

  Clark Collis, Entertainment Weekly · 58