In the 2009 hit movie, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Michael Sheen reprises his role as Lucian, leader of the Lycan clan in their centuries-old war against the Vampire coven. This movie, however, is a "prequel", that shows the truth of how the war started. This particular scene features Lucian in a cell after defying Viktor's (leader of the vampires played by Bill Nighy) orders. This scene is the turning point in the movie, as Lucian realizes that things will never change for him or the other lycans unless they do something. Like revolting against the vampires.
The scene features cross-cutting camera shots going from Lucian to some of the other lycans, inculding his future second-in-command, Raze. It truly adds to Lucian's speech which, though short and simple, spoke deeply to the others who saw him as their leader; the oldest and strongest of their kind. The scene also features camera angles showing the extent of the Lycan quarters in Viktor's castle, so as to show the audience just how many werewolves are listening to Lucian's speech.
It also ends with a camera angle that puts the viewer at a slightly lower level from Lucian as he concludes his speech, arms held in the air with his memorable line "We can be slaves... or we can be Lycans!" While perhaps a bit chliched, this particular Hollywood trick is still used in films today and probably always will be due to it's ability to add drama to any scene it is used in.
I enjoyed all the, “Underworld”, movies. The story line and special effects were awesome. Who would ever have thought, Vampire and Werewolf? The scene in which you described where the attention was focused on the lycan called Lucian, did in fact single him out to be the leader and organizer of the lycan pack. Not only was the shots created to show Lucians status in the pack but the lighten in which the shots were taken in, gave Lucian’s facial expressions a dark and ominous appearance, that radiated with a power and emotion which command the attention of all of the lycan pack. Nevertheless, on the part of Lucian’s role in organizing the pack to gain their freedom from the Vampires, his reason for this uprising is justifiable by the way the lycans are being treated by the vampires, namely, “the Death Dealers”.
ReplyDeleteI have watched some of the "Under World" films and I have enjoyed them. This is one that I haven't seen. The saging ofthis movie and the shots tat where taken brought fire to the film. As he gave his speech, it gave him a sense of autority and power. It also gave the feel of giving someone thepower to choose what they wantted to become.
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