A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Night Watch (Nochnoi dozor, 2004)

Date Viewed: 3/20/06

Details:

Konstantin Khabensky

Vladimir Menshov

Valeri Zolotukhin

Mariya Poroshina

Galina Tyunina

Yuri Kutsenko

Viktor Verzhbitsky

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Score: 0

The Review: Although advertised as avant garde Russian science fiction, the science is marginal and the fiction is essentially "immortals and vampires at war," albeit supported by some new mythology.

Sometime in the distant past, the forces of light and dark met for what would be the ultimate battle, but were persuaded by one of their captains to adopt a timeless dynamic tension: one side guarding the other -- day guarding night and vice versa -- watching to ensure the truce and agreements are maintained. The forces are generally hidden from mere mortals, who would otherwise be caught up in the fray (one of the original reasons for crafting a truce). But there is a foreboding and prophecy of someone to be born who will unbalance the tension once and for all -- his circumstances are slowly revealed against the background of a few cycles of Night Watch.

The revamped and amped storyline is strongly reminiscent of Underworld parts one and two, minus werewolves, plus shapeshifting bears (sounds like an algebra problem). The cast appears totally unknown in the west, but includes some decent acting talent. Mediocre with some occasionally interesting special effects (they make good storms!).

(25-Mar-06)

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