Vampires sequel lacks bite

The second episode in the Underworld saga, the first of which was a sleeper hit in 2004, is as dramatically confusing and vividly imagined as the first.

Kate Beckinsale, as the hunted vampire Selene, does her best to add gravitas to a part which requires her to speak the few lines she has with conviction and fight werewolves, hybrids and other dread beasties with a velocity that must have made her ache all over.

Len Wiseman, the director, is now her partner and he has assembled a variety of special effects to aid her.

There is also a cast of ghouls that includes Bill Nighy and Derek Jacobi - both more effective than male lead Scott Speedman in suggesting that we take the whole thing seriously.

But perhaps we are not supposed to. If you like this sort of thing it works. If you don't, avoid it like the plague.

Underworld: Evolution
Cert: cert18