CORPORATE LINE: The first part of a trilogy, NIGHT WATCH is an old-fashioned good vs. evil parable that relies on some thoroughly modern special effects to ensnare its audience. Set in present-day Moscow, the movie begins with a quick skip back through the centuries to inform us how a delicate truce was struck between the forces of Light and Dark. These forces still exist in Moscow, with both sides keeping a close eye on each other as they attempt to disguise themselves from the earth’s mere mortals. NIGHT WATCH’s central character is Anton Gorodetsky (Konstantin Khabensky), who is defined as an “Other” by the legions of Light and Dark. Anton and his cohorts live as vampires, and await the arrival of a virgin who will announce the resumption of hostilities between the forces of Light and Dark; as the film progresses, it becomes apparent that an epic battle is just around the corner.
One of the biggest films of all time in its native Russia, director Timur Bekmambetov’s NIGHT WATCH positions itself somewhere in between THE MATRIX and BLADE in the pantheon of CGI-fueled sci-fi flicks. Although the plot is mind-boggling and occasionally verges on the incomprehensible, Bekmambetov is presumably using this first part of the trilogy to lure viewers into his wild cinematic world. Impressively, Bekmambetov’s film was shot on a tiny budget, but it belies its meager origins. Even the English subtitles are integrated into several scenes, with words zipping across the screen and melting into the action as a heavy-metal soundtrack thumps away. Knowing he is set to film two sequels, Bekmambetov leaves his audience hanging as NIGHT WATCH nears its climax, with his second installment (DAY WATCH) promising further FX-laden feuding, and, in an intriguing twist, an English-language climax to the trilogy with DUSK WATCH.
THE REVIEW: Night Watch is the Russian version of Underworld. Both are full of vampires and chockfull of special effects. Neither thrives on their storyline. Night Watch has all the makings of a fantastic movie. The difference between Night Watch and The Matrix is a great script. The storylines aren’t entirely different—however The Matrix leaves a lot of the dialogue behind and moves the movie along with great action. Night Watch is too much talking and too little interesting things to say. If Keanu Reeves talked as much as Konstantin Khabensky than The Matrix would have flopped.
THE EXTRAS:
The first extras start with an Extended Ending with optional commentary (option to view in English or Russian audio).
“Night Watch Trilogy” – This is nothing more than a way to let viewers know there are supposed to be two more versions.
On the Russian side there is a commentary by Timur Bekmambetov (subtitled in English, Spanish, French) – Thankfully there are English subtitles—then again it forced me to sit through the viewing—which was less than interesting. There is also a commentary by Novelist Sergei Lukianenko (subtitled in English, Spanish, French).
FRANKLY: Night Watch has cool moments—but the movie could have been better. It is amazing that the movie’s budget is only $5 million—then again everything was recycled. So there is nothing fresh and new about anything in Night Watch.
+ Charlie Craine
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