Heavy on the gothic atmosphere, and even more so on the blood, 'Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans', is certainly ambitious, but with a touch too much Uwe Boll, you could be left feeling a little drained.

The third in the Underworld series sees the return of Michael Sheen (Lucian) and Bill Nighy (Victor), which is a boon for 'Lycans', but the absence of Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman — the protagonists from the first two in the series — will leave fans feeling short-changed.

Rhona Mitra takes on the role of Sonja (ancestor to Beckinsale's character) and while she does not disappoint in what she is charged to do, the role itself just doesn’t carry all that much weight. What is effectively a Romeo and Juliet story — garbed in Gothic gear and vampire mythology — you never get more than the usual clichés.

Sonja’s a vampire, Lucian’s a Lycan (werewolf). Vampires are the ruling class and the Lycans are their watchdogs (literally). The fact that Sonja and Lucian are sneaking out every night for a late-night bonk is obviously not going to sit well with dad.

When Lucian gets tired of being treated like a pet he decides to lead a rebellion forcing Sonja to choose between her family and the man/werewolf that she loves.

How does it turn out? Come on…

But while 'Underworld' does not score on storyline it picks up points on its lead actors (Sheen and Nighy in particular immerse themselves in their roles) and the unadulterated violence. When you pit vampires against werewolves you expect the blood to flow and that is exactly what you get here.

So, Shakespeare it may not be, and the absence of Beckinsale and Speedman is a loss, but while 'Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans' may not live up to its two predecessors, it does have its merits and fans of the series will undoubtedly manage to enjoy it for what it is.