Night Watch

The movie should be called Don't Watch

Don't Watch

Wow

Actin packed, edgy, excellent vampire flick with a unique and dark vision. I loved the performances, the sets, the plot, the concept, and it is all so simple, but layered in complexity. It isn't as eerie as Torchwood, but I bought it. The eidting was masterful. The DP was A+! I am awaiting book 3 and the movie!

Better if you speak Russian :)

As usual, there are certain things that are lost in translation, but I am fortunate enough to be able to ignore the subtitles and concentrate on the movie itself. Plus, there are certain hints and nods toward Russian and Soviet cultures and politics that one won't be able to understand (or perhaps to even notice) without having lived there for years (or, even better, being born there). I watched both movies (Day Watch and Night Watch) and read all 4 books in the series (Day Watch, Night Watch, Dawn Watch and Last Watch). As it is often the case, I liked books better than movies. However, I think the cast is brilliant - I couldn't ask for better Gesser or Zavulon (or Anton, or Svetlana, or the whole vampire family, or...).

Well Made, But Not for Everyone

The unique visual style is very refreshing to watch, even for someone who has to read the English subtitles since the subtitles are displayed and used very creatively whenever possible. The premise obviously does not offer the broadest demographic appeal, but it does make for a creative story. There are a few times when some of the more subtle plot points can be a little hard to pick up on, but that won't prevent anyone from enjoying the film. Solid performances by all of the actors also help make this an entertaining film. It couldn't win an Oscar, but you'll probably find yourself wanting more when the credits start to roll.

This film was Gripping for the first 10 minutes or so……

And after that it went all over the place. A lot of viewers stand correct on this film regarding its up’s and downs to this film. There are a number of movies you can describe this to. To me personally it was a blend of ‘The Matrix’ (whichever one you choose but preferable part one) with ‘Constantine,’ add a good helping of vampire lore and a dash of Christian symbolism, and to throw in a stolid, overt stance on abortion. That probably is ‘Night Watch’ done in one hour and fifty four minutes. It’s hard to believe that this film was only done with $4 million, that’s like pocket change compare to other production cost out there. To explain “Night Watch’ in its entirety would be pointless, only raising more question than answers. Then afterwards you would be looking at this review like I’m crazy. The essentials of ‘Night Watch’ go a little like this: The armies of light and dark have come to an age-old Truce. Upholding the Truce is the Night Watch and the Day Watch. Light watches during nighttime and Dark watches during daytime. Only ‘Others’ are aware of the Truce and its armies, and ‘Others’ must decide at their awakening which side to choose (sort of like Star Wars). Legend states that one day a child will be born that decides the fate of the two armies, depending on which side the child chooses. The hero being Anton Gorodetsky (Konstantin Khabensky), an alcoholic blood-sucker whose awakening came at the hands of a long-distance Dark assassin (you'll understand once you seen it). His denomination is Light, but he has secret inklings of temptation, despite his role as a Night Watchman. To continue on with this would only confuse you more. It’s been a while since I shoke my head so much with a questionable look on my face on a film. I also felt that they could have done a way better job towards the ending. The Sub-plots fizzle and the climax kind of fell short but I guess filmmakers intended it that way for the rest of the trilogy. Bekamambetov hasn’t confused me too much for me to abandon his epic, but I’ll probably have a better understanding when the rest comes if I do choose to watch it. If you’re curious about this film and into Horror/Action/ Fantasy, then by all means give it a try.

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