Beckinsale as Selene in 'Underworld'

Finally! A sequel to my favorite super hero franchise. Yes, Selene, the vampire/hybrid hero portrayed by Kate Beckinsale in the 'Underworld' films.  The fifth installment of Selene's macabe world was released on Friday, 'Underworld - Blood Wars', and I am anticipating that the storyline, acting, and visual and sound effects will be over-the-top and equal to the prior films in this horror cum high-impact, action drama.

If you are looking for strong women roles, Beckinsale's Selene fills the bill. Battling vampires, werewolves, and humans in a skin-tight, black spandex one-piece and out-fitted with twin automatic pistols Selene out-fights and slays all comers. The characters are clad in what can be described as Gothic attire and utilize very conceivable hand weapon coupled with high-tech explosives.

Started in 2003 with a release of the same name, the 'Underworld' franchise has done very well at the box office in spite of its ultra-violence and graphic effects..  The five films in the series have grossed over $513m with 'Blood Wars' still in release, which compare against combined production budgets of $212m. A sixth film is in development and will star Beckinsale.

Great set design, costumes, and acting all add to 'Underworld's'  success. Not only Beckinsale but first-rate actors like Derrick Jacoby, Bill Nigly, Scott Speedman, Micheal Sheen, and Stephen Rea have played major roles. Critics have always been harsh but public opinion B+ or better for each episode.

At 43, Beckinsale is unique in Hollywood.  She attended Oxford University and has been in films since 1993. Starring roles in 'Pearl Harbor' and 'The Aviator' spring-boarded her to the action movie niche she now commands. In addition to 'Underworld' she starred in 'Van Helsing', 'Whiteout', 'Contraband', and 'Total Recall'.