If “The Matrix” had included werewolves, vampires and more fantasy instead of sci-fi, it would have become “Underworld.”

In the trailer for the movie, the character of Selene, played by Kate Beckinsale, tells the story of an age-old battle — vampires versus lycans, or werewolves. Somehow, a human, Michael, played by Scott Speedman, has gotten in the middle of the war. Oh, but it looks like it gets more messy. Michael is really a lycan.

In all reality, the trailer depicts the movie as a “Blade” and “Matrix” rip-off. And it is, kind of.

The plot actually is deeper than that, as Selene discovers the real reason for the war between the two clans of immortals. War, as always, is a lot more simple than it seems.

The movie had so much potential, really. Vampire movies can be as good as “Interview with the Vampire” and as horrible as “Queen of the Damned,” depending on the actors and director. “Underworld” sits in the middle and might have been near the more positive side of the continuum if director Len Wiseman hadn’t tried so hard to make it a good movie.

Eerily, Selene wears full leather throughout the movie, which isn’t a huge part of the plot, but it’s far too reminiscent of “The Matrix.” The poor cows that died so Beckinsdale can look more like Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and the lack of depth of characters really hurts this movie. The deep plot and a few other things took too much of Wiseman’s time, causing him to forget a few essential things in any movie.

Beckinsale’s character seemed like a loner who lives for her job. She barely mentions in the beginning that her job will become useless and she will have nothing to live for. She never mentions that little fact again, and Selene goes on shooting people down, no other thoughts in her head.

Inexplicably, she falls in love with Michael, the human who is not a human at all. Why can’t a violent movie just be a violent movie anymore?

The movie also fails in following up on the plot and character background. Parts of the movie don’t seem to be explained well, like the history and hierarchy of the vampire clan. Discussed in detail are the elders of the clan and the great awakening, but it is not until almost 3/4 of the way into the movie that viewers discover exactly who the elders are.

Vampires and the underworld are always mysterious to those on the outside, but this is taking it too far. Background is slightly necessary in order for anyone to understand why Selene hates Lucian, played by Michael Sheen. There was too much focus on the rivalry and love story and not enough on everything else Wiseman needed to include.

Although “Underworld” lacks in background on characters and plot, Wiseman did remember to do something — the atmosphere and setting of “Underworld” are perfect for a goth gun battle between the immortals.

Someone was thinking when they put a dark cast over the whole film, using light only when people were indoors. The dark colors of the clothing also complement the atmosphere of the movie, enhancing it.

“Underworld” has a very gothic feel, for a very gothic movie. And of course, the film is set somewhere in Europe, making the architecture stand out in the gothic churches and dark hallways used extensively. The house in which the vampire clan lives is also perfect for the movie — large and grandiose, a house any wealthy family would live in.

“Underworld” certainly has the feel of a gothic vampire and werewolf rivalry flick, but Wiseman had a fatal case of amnesia when it came to a well-rounded and thorough plot.