Fresh from Russia comes the first film in a horror triology inspired by the visuals of the TV hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Night Watch (aka Nochnoy Dozor) is a fantastic low budget depiction of the classic ancient battle between Good and Evil. Most films that choose to use the Good vs Evil theme usually follow a predictable story ending with Good defeating Evil victorious, but Night Watch leaves you tense with anticipation as the credits roll and you find yourself eager for the next film as the fate of the two sides is left hanging in the balance.
The story, as previously mentioned, centers around the classic theme of the battle between Good and Evil, and opens in the distant past with the Warriors of Light and Darkness at war with one another. For years blood is shed and there is no sign of victory, so the leaders of the sides come to a truce and end the devastating war. The sides decide to ensure the balance between Good and Evil is kept through what could be described as 'supernatural law enforcements' known as the Night Watch (Good), who roam
the streets of present day Moscow in order to control and contain the evil that threatens to break the ancient truce. There is also the Day Watch (Evil), who follow the same rules of the truce as the Night Watch, but work to contain the acts of the Night Watch. However, this first film focuses on the NIght Watch and the protagonist of the Night Watch, named Anton. The truce also allows new 'Others' (people who have entered the world of the supernatural with powers) to choose which side they will stand with.
Anton is introduced as an everyday, almost geeky man who selfishly steps towards the supernatural to end the life of his ex-wifes' unborn child, in anger at her leaving him for someone else he approaches a woman who, through use of the supernatural can kill the unborn child. However, this evil deed alerts the attention of the Night Watch, a group of 'Others' possessing a variety of supernatural powers, and Night Watch fight to stop the 'witch' before the ritual is finished. This scene is gripping and fatastically filmed, combining great film shots and CGI to create an eerie scene that makes you believe the possibility of such incidents to be a reality.
Anton bewildered by the struggle in front on him as he cannot see the Night Watch fighting in front of him, and is witnessing the woman agressively fighting with herself, but, with a physical jolt of shock he is crossed over and becomes an 'Other', bearing the supernatural power of a 'seer' and becomes a central member of the Night Watch who fights against the evil within the dark. With a indication of time passing, we see Anton transform from geek to Russia's answer to Matrix's Neo.
The story continues and witnesses a chain of events that could lead to an apocalyse, unless Anton solves the disjointed clues presented to him through his 'seer' intuition. The film is dark and imaginative, entering superstition and classical characters of horror such as bitter, dark vampires into an ancient war.
Anton continues to dig himself in a hole to save the world, and learns that the fate of the truce lies in young boy, a prophecy in the supernatural world, who can determine which side is victorious depending on which side he will choose to join. Although the actions of Anton at times make you want to knock him into reality so to speak, you do feel for him and the unfortunate events that occur to him.
Night Watch is fierce and dark, paying close attention to detail throughout the film, even making the subtitles stand out by having them enter and exit the screen on occasion in the style of blood stirred in water, and placing them wildly on different areas of the screen. If like me, you notice and appreciate the difference quality Cinematography has in a film then you will love what this film has to offer; the light changes to suit the characters and mood of the scene, with intense dark colours that compliment the narrative impressively.
An unknown cast adds positive points to this film as the audience have no prior knowledge of the actors roles and they therefore cannot be stereotyped according to their past performances. The cast deliver a good performance, the only member of the cast I would question is the young boy, who seem a little too bland in some ways, but it most areas of the film it works.
As mentioned briefly the special effects are fantastic for such a small budget, an impressive effect showing a human 'Other' morph into an animal and also the beginning fight sequence where the leaders of the Light and Darkness walk through the motionless warriors.
This film must not be missed, sadly it is not widely recognised outside of Russia but those who have seen it can speak of the creative success that the film provides for its audience. The fact that it is subtitled does not bring the film down, rather, I would say that the Russian language adds a further dark, raw feel to it. For example, say the Russian film title aloud: 'Nochnoy Dozor', how dark and fantastic does that sound?!
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I've seen this and although sub titles don't normally bother me, by the time you'd read them on this film you'd missed sometthing important on screen. Was enjoyable though. x
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very helpful by (92%):
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