(2004/RUSSIA)
REVIEW BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV CAST-KONSTANTIN KHABENSKY, VLADIMIR MENSHOV, VALERI ZOLOTUKHIN, MARIYA POROSHINA, GALINA TYUNINA, YURI KUTSENKO and ALEKSEI CHADOV. SOURCE-20TH CENTURY FOX DVD (NTSC REGION 1 / 114MINS / 2006)
From the land that brought us Vodka, now brings us films that stir our interests. Once restricted, now flourishing like a crazed decease. Timur Bekmambetov’s NIGHT WATCH is only one of many fine examples coming out of Russia and surely one of the more mainstream offerings to date. The first of a trilogy with the sequel DAY WATCH soon to be hitting the theaters here in North America. The third, DUSK WATCH quickly shooting the final cap to this new twist on the whole Good Vs. Evil scenario. Yes, look out America, just when you thought THE MATRIX or LORD OF THE RINGS stirred the pot with eye candy and Biblical slurs. If you missed NIGHT WATCH in the theaters, it’s time to grab yourself this newly released DVD, though if you were smart not to get ripped off by this big Hollywood company who loves to pull our chains with teaser discs, you’ll wait for the special edition which I can almost promise will come soon after. Still, either why this is a must see indeed.
NIGHT WATCH follows the weary formula, yet pretty much the only why of thinking GOOD VS. EVIL only in the form of Light Vs. Darkness. The choice is yours, you either choose one or the other, but don’t step over the truce forged many years ago to stop the complete slaughter of both sides. With both sides come vampires, shape shifters and of course humans known as Others. The ability to foresee the future and given the task to hunt those who brake the truce from the dark side. Bekmambetov brilliantly forges many elements such as action, horror , dark humor and most of all it’s computer generated eye candy into a formula that fully entertains the viewer. Though one may get lost from time to time during the story’s jumbled direction and storyline. Well, this is mainly do to the poor translation of the story from Russian to English I suppose, but that’s why you should watch the original Russian version with English subtitles. The English version let many other foreign films become a victim of poor dubbing hence letting the sideshow begin.
NIGHT WATCH’S character development is short though, only playing the right card with it’s main characters and living the supporting cast in the lurch. Ah, but don’t dismay, characters such as the lead of Anton who is an Other, the character is solid as you really start to develop a sense of comradery, no pun intended. Throughout the film and especially when the story’s twist involves his background, you really start to root for this guy to complete his task or mission. Most of the other cast is just there, though all playing crucial pieces to the over puzzle that brings us the importance of NIGHT WATCH as a whole.
Visually NIGHT WATCH is very stunning, not just the CGI either, but the complete cinematography at hand. Emulating a darkness about to engulf whatever light is left to fight back. Bekmambetov’s eye for detail, angles and transitions are incredible to the point of near flawlessness. Ok, maybe I’m pouring it on a bit too much, but folks it’s a ride in a half. Along with the stunning technical aspects visually, the film’s score provided by Yuri Poteyenko fit like a perfect glove. Darkness and despair with a glimmer of hope unfolds in sync with the film.
As mentioned above, you are getting ripped off by those folks in Hollywood who scream at you for ripping their flicks. Though I don’t support those who rip, but these guys in Hollywood are only doing it to themselves. Throwing us a bone without the meat for the tease. Letting us stew in shinny format debt, then throwing us the meaty portions after the fact. Yes folks, the debt never ends. To top this the damn disc is double sided, I hate that, why not give us a double disc special edition right off the bat. No, they have to see the reaction to a plain release in order to insure they don’t lose money. Well, I for one I’m a sucker on this one account, why..I don’t know. The only special features they point out are some pretty darn boring audio commentaries. Most of the time, I really enjoy this stuff, but here it’s a total yawn-fest.
The two sides to this disc are both the original Russian version of the film with English subtitles among others. The version I would highly recommend you watch to get the full just of the film. The other is an English version which I found terrible as hell, but that just might be me. Though both versions visually are excellent in being presented in an anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1. Bottom line is, I would totally avoid this version purchase wise as I’m almost certain there will be a special edition on it’s way in the future. Just rent it or if you really must have a version of this DVD and are region free, go with the Fox UK PAL 2 disc special edition just ripe with extras. So, you can almost be sure that we will get a similar edition in the future.
STORY/FILM-3/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4.5/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-4/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-1/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-3/5 BITCH SLAPS -or-
© 2006 cinema-nocturna.com
