Watching Nightwatch
When was the last time you saw a Russian film? Those that reach our fair shores are pretty rare, except for the occasional odd/acclaimed one during the SIFF. But here's your opportunity for some of that vodka-rusky goodness - Nightwatch. This movie supposedly was a huge hit in Russia, setting box office records in VodkaLand and shaming Hollywood in the process, and the trailer keeps playing on TVMobile, which kind of made me feel like I should watch it so that I can have some reprieve from my own collection of tired Vodka jokes.
And the story goes...
Once upon a time, there were two sides, good and evil who met on a bridge and neither side were willing to let the other pass. A bloody battle ensued, but hold! The good dude cannot tolerate the wanton loss of lives and called for a truce - a truce that lasted all the time from then til now between the Light and Dark side. And all this while, people who are born with supernatural powers - called "Others" - have to choose either side (now it's really sounding like a Star Wars movie - there's even a scene that the hero uses a Flourescent Light Tube to fight the evil powers!).
Our hero Anton chose the Light side - these are called the Nightwatch, and has keep the other side, the Daywatch, under control through issuing bureaucratic licenses for them to commit certain acts (this part I don't get - maybe it's something meaningful in Russia?) such as converting a person into a vampire, killing someone etc. Anyway he, together with a few amusing companions, including a very cute owl, has to fight to keep a very special boy alive and away from the evil Daywatch.
Nightwatch is an extremely slick film, full of special effects, bloody fight sequences and supernatural images but the plot went right over my head, leaving me completely befuddled. It has some humour, lots of gore and pretty good action and stylish moves but the story isn't too consistent and sort of grew too self important and tried to be too ambitiously epic. Camera-work was really impressive and creative, there was a nice scene that followed a screw that fell from a plane down a chimney teeming with roaches and into a Nescafe mug. Speaking of which, there were also very clear product placements for Nescafe, Nokia and Absolut (no no I'm kidding about the last one, I just need to get the vodka out of my system), which makes one realise what a very commercialised movie it is and the masses (like me) that it panders to. Not to mention that it's virtually screaming " sequel" to the tune of "Luke, I am your father".
And the verdict...
Watch it if
- all you know about Russia is vodka
- you like stylised action, generous gore, the supernatural and a plot too big for its boots
- if you like to scrutinise and debate on the intricacies of the Nightwatch, Daywatch and the Others
FYI...
Sin City remains as my favourite movie this year so far.
When was the last time you saw a Russian film? Those that reach our fair shores are pretty rare, except for the occasional odd/acclaimed one during the SIFF. But here's your opportunity for some of that vodka-rusky goodness - Nightwatch. This movie supposedly was a huge hit in Russia, setting box office records in VodkaLand and shaming Hollywood in the process, and the trailer keeps playing on TVMobile, which kind of made me feel like I should watch it so that I can have some reprieve from my own collection of tired Vodka jokes.
And the story goes...
Once upon a time, there were two sides, good and evil who met on a bridge and neither side were willing to let the other pass. A bloody battle ensued, but hold! The good dude cannot tolerate the wanton loss of lives and called for a truce - a truce that lasted all the time from then til now between the Light and Dark side. And all this while, people who are born with supernatural powers - called "Others" - have to choose either side (now it's really sounding like a Star Wars movie - there's even a scene that the hero uses a Flourescent Light Tube to fight the evil powers!).
Our hero Anton chose the Light side - these are called the Nightwatch, and has keep the other side, the Daywatch, under control through issuing bureaucratic licenses for them to commit certain acts (this part I don't get - maybe it's something meaningful in Russia?) such as converting a person into a vampire, killing someone etc. Anyway he, together with a few amusing companions, including a very cute owl, has to fight to keep a very special boy alive and away from the evil Daywatch.
Nightwatch is an extremely slick film, full of special effects, bloody fight sequences and supernatural images but the plot went right over my head, leaving me completely befuddled. It has some humour, lots of gore and pretty good action and stylish moves but the story isn't too consistent and sort of grew too self important and tried to be too ambitiously epic. Camera-work was really impressive and creative, there was a nice scene that followed a screw that fell from a plane down a chimney teeming with roaches and into a Nescafe mug. Speaking of which, there were also very clear product placements for Nescafe, Nokia and Absolut (no no I'm kidding about the last one, I just need to get the vodka out of my system), which makes one realise what a very commercialised movie it is and the masses (like me) that it panders to. Not to mention that it's virtually screaming " sequel" to the tune of "Luke, I am your father".
And the verdict...
Watch it if
- all you know about Russia is vodka
- you like stylised action, generous gore, the supernatural and a plot too big for its boots
- if you like to scrutinise and debate on the intricacies of the Nightwatch, Daywatch and the Others
FYI...
Sin City remains as my favourite movie this year so far.
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