Because American film studios produce an ample number of sci-fi and fantasy films, there isn't much reason to begin importing more of the genre from overseas. However, Russian-made "Night Watch" sets itself apart with detailed visuals and a rich plot that fantasy connoisseurs will devour.
"Night Watch," a record-breaking blockbuster back in the motherland, has a lot of plot and a lot of action. While the overly complex plot, which dates back to 1342, may make it difficult to follow, the engaging and detailed action compensates.
Russian director Timour Bekmambetov does a superb job of visually crafting an original piece of work in the sci-fi fantasy realm - a genre that European film studios rarely produce.
The film's refreshingly demented imagery and striking visuals will keep the audience watching and wanting more. While the plot resembles that of "Underworld" in which vampires fight werewolves with the outcome of the world at stake, "Night Watch" is more complex and more intelligent. A comparison with the end-of-the-world zombie flick "28 Days Later" may be more fitting.
"Night Watch" is the first in an epic trilogy written by Sergei Lukyanenko. Much of the movie is devoted to setting up the plot, similar to how "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" gave background and a foundation for the following films to build upon.
The movie is set in modern day Moscow where crowds of shape-shifters, vampires, and seers inhabit the city. Like most films of this sort, there is a division between the good and the bad, or in this case, the Light Others and the Dark Others.
The beginning of the film details the beginning of a war between the Light and Dark. It continues until the war is miraculously frozen and the two leaders of Light and Dark call a truce. They then form the Day Watch and the Night Watch in order to prevent one another from breaking the truce.
The film is brimming with bizarre and beautiful visuals. The cinematography resembles that of "CSI," with close-ups of car engines throwing flames and minute details like blood vessels popping out of peoples' faces. The excruciating visual detail takes goriness to a new level.
Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) becomes a member of Night Watch, which protects innocent humans from the bloodthirsty vampires of the Dark Others.
The eye-jumping experience may throw some viewers into bewilderment, because the story becomes complex and sometimes a bit vague. This movie isn't made for those people who need someone to hold their hands and tell them what's going on every five seconds.
Unfortunately, the intriguing storyline may detract from the visual aspects of the film, because most American audiences will have their eyes fixed to the subtitles instead of the visual fireworks.
The plot twists occur in the later portion of the film and shed light on why the balance of good and evil will always tips. The film moved at a pleasantly steady pace until the end when it punches the pedal and then hits the brakes leaving the viewer craving the sequels.
At a glance, "Night Watch" has the potential to be a remarkable trilogy. The next two films will be titled "Day Watch" and "Dawn Watch."
"Night Watch" establishes the impossibility of balancing good and evil, but the movie itself evenly combines action and plot.
Photo: Courtesy of Mitchell Kish
