Night Watch (Nochnoi Dozor)

[Foxbat]

Region 2 DVD
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov
Starring Konstantin Khabensky

For hundreds of years, an uneasy truce has existed between the forces of Light and Darkness. These forces consist of Humans that are, in some way, greater and more powerful than the majority of Mankind. They call themselves The Others – and they must choose which side they belong to (and, therefore, which side of the truce they adhere to).

These individuals tend to have a power of some nature (Witchcraft, Vampires, Divination, Shapeshifting) and can exist, for a while at least, in a mosquito ridden shadow world known simply as The Gloom.

The truce is policed by forces from both sides – The Daywatch (protecting the interests of the forces of Darkness) and The Nightwatch reciprocating security for the for the forces of Light. There is, however, a prophecy (isn’t there always?) that one will come – an Other greater than any before – and the choice made by this individual will determine the outcome of the final battle between Light and Dark. We enter this world and watch it unfold through the eyes of Anton Grodetsky (Khabensky) as he stumbles on to the fact that he is an Other and must make his choice.

The double disc set and its packaging can be a bit confusing – touting as it does, three different versions of this movie (Russian, English dubbed, Theatrical). I chose to watch the theatrical version. Apparently this movie started life as a TV series which perhaps explains the different versions available. Film quality is very good (as is the sound). Acting is sound and the setting of Moscow and some of its unique vistas makes a refreshing change from the normal western cities used for movie such as this. All in all, a competently shot and executed film.

Where this movie falls down is in two places – first – the storyline is fairly straightforward but much of the world in which it is set is not very well explained. A good example is the insect ridden Gloom and the consequences of staying too long here (you’ll see what I mean if you watch the movie).

The second (at least for me) is the editing of this movie. We have the stock ‘Bullet Time’ effects with much fast film suddenly halting to freeze frame, too many close-ups (and I mean far too many!!). Using close up and texture can really hammer home a point but do it too often and it just gets tedious. Sound, although well executed, consists of the usual high volume, high reverberating, low frequency transients at moments of tension. Again overdone to the nth degree.

It might seem a lot of criticism but I did enjoy this film. I just felt that I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn’t felt like I was watching The Matrix for the umpteenth time.

This film is part of a trilogy and I suppose the acid test is – would I buy the next two movies? Yes, I probably will. It’s not a bad movie – it just could have been a whole lot better.
6 out of 10

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The double disc set and its packaging can be a bit confusing – touting as it does, three different versions of this movie (Russian, English dubbed, Theatrical). I chose to watch the theatrical version. Apparently this movie started life as a TV series which perhaps explains the different versions available.

Actually no. There's no difference in the footage in the 3 versions. Apart from the dubbed and subtitled versions (which should be on the same disc, since it only calls for a change of audio track), there's an international version with unique form of subtitles which are generated as subliminal messages within the movie.

[Foxbat]

Actually no. There's no difference in the footage in the 3 versions. Apart from the dubbed and subtitled versions (which should be on the same disc, since it only calls for a change of audio track), there's an international version with unique form of subtitles which are generated as subliminal messages within the movie.

At least I didn't miss any footage.

As for the subtitles, I don't know about subliminal but I found them very pop-video-ish with some unnecessary colouring and positioning.