6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Ancient prophecy foretells that one day a "Great One" will arrive who can end the apocalyptic battle between Light and Dark conclusively. That time has arrived in Moscow - but which side will the Great One choose? The first installment of a trilogy based on the best-selling Russian sci-fi novels of Sergei Lukyanenko (which also include Day Watch and Dusk Watch).
Starring: Konstantin Khabenskiy, Vladimir Menshov, Valeriy Zolotukhin, Mariya Poroshina, Galina TyuninaThriller | 100% |
Horror | 57% |
Action | 56% |
Foreign | 9% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional)
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
D-Box
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
So long as there are those among us who believe in light, there will be hope.
Nochnoy Dozor? What in the world is that? A Russian-language fantasy/horror film?
Subtitles?
Why would anyone be interested in that? The answer is simple. Other than making for a very
good Blu-ray disc, Nochnoy Dozor, subsequently referred to as Night Watch, is a
very well-done horror/action/fantasy/drama film, one that definitely has a very odd vibe about it,
but one that is ultimately worth the effort of watching. Indeed, Night Watch features an
involved plot with some wonderful twists and turns along the way, but the film takes its time
settling into a groove, and may leave some viewers squirming in their seats while they try to get
a
grasp on exactly what's going on. The story is not an overly-complicated one, but this is the sort
of film where past secrets and earlier scenes seemed to have an insignificant bearing on the plot,
or made no sense at the time, and are only revealed later in the film. Night
Watch is a film that will make significantly more sense upon repeated viewings. As the story
picks up steam, as the intrigue builds, as we become accustomed to the characters, and as we
enjoy
some bloody and well-done action sequences, Night Watch pulls in its viewers and
establishes itself as a good movie, and will likely engender a desire to watch the sequel, Day
Watch, especially considering the number of significant, eye-opening revelations in the final
act of the film, not to mention an excellent ending that comes as quite the shock.
The next Terminator?
Presented in 1080p high definition and framed at 1.85:1, Night Watch looks very good on Blu-ray. Colors are rich and natural throughout the movie, perhaps a bit subdued, thanks in large part to the nature of the movie. It's a somewhat dark movie, but not overly so. It's actually brighter and more alive than I would have expected from a film entitled Night Watch, but the transfer remains strong between the darkest scenes and those most awash in light, and everything in between. Black levels are solid, and shadow detail is strong. Detail in general is acceptable. The somewhat obscure nature of many scenes and drab color schemes found in many shots of the movie don't lend to an eye-popping, incredibly detailed world, but the transfer is a success in the context of the intended look. Grain is also present over the film, lending an even grittier feel to already dark and foreboding proceedings. Flesh tones appear accurate throughout, and there is a solid depth to the film. Night Watch is simply a fine looking disc. It won't wow audiences accustomed to Blu-ray presentations, but it will definitely not disappoint, either. Overall, this is another fine effort from Fox.
As always, Fox offers viewers a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack, this time in the film's original Russian language. A 768 kbps dubbed English language DTS track is also available, as are English subtitles. The original language lossless track is the only way to go, and it sounds great. The movie features a loud, active soundtrack awash in effects and music. Surrounds are used to fine effect throughout, for atmospherics, action, and music. There is oftentimes a very good, foreboding atmosphere that features just the slightest rumble of deep lows and creepy effects all around the soundstage, creating a nearly perfect horror movie environment that comes alive in your living room. A scene in chapter 6 as Yegor arrives in the abandoned building at the beckoning of the Vampires is an excellent example. A pulse-pounding, hard-hitting rock soundtrack accompanies many scenes, a good example being during Anton's fight with the Vampire in chapter seven. An audible theme heard in parts of the film is the persistent buzzing of mosquitoes in "The Gloom," the effect of which moves effortlessly around the soundstage. Dialogue is presented with no discernible flaws. Night Watch features a soundtrack worthy of the nature of the film and is the prefect compliment to the experience.
Night Watch comes to Blu-ray as a fully-featured special edition. A commentary track
with
director Timur Bekmambetov is first. The director discusses this film's place in Russian cinema
history, the themes that run throughout the picture, and the differing genres that come into play
throughout the film. The track is slow and deliberate, with some minimal gaps in the
commentary,
but fans should get a lot out of what is presented here. Another commentary track is available,
this
one a subtitled commentary by novelist Sergei Lukyaneko (available with English, French, and
Spanish subtitles). Lukyaneko discusses a broad range of topics, from Vampire mythos, the
origins
of his stories and how they don't necessarily fit in the genres the author generally works in, and
how his
characters are portrayed in the film. The text moves along quickly with only a few brief pauses.
Seven deleted scenes (480p, 28:42) with optional commentary by Timur Bekmambetov are next.
Making of 'Night Watch' (480p, 39:03) is a Russian language feature with English
subtitles. The piece features interviews with Sergei Lukyaneko, Konstantin Khabensky, Timur
Bekmambetov, and others. The piece delves further into the themes and mythos of the story,
contains a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage, and features many clips from the film.
Characters, Story and Subtitles (480p, 5:06) is a brief feature that looks at the impact of
the film on Russian culture and the themes of the film. Also discussed are the film's subtitles,
although what we see in the feature does not match the subtitles shown and discussed in this
feature. There, subtitles are shown in red and slowly dissolve. On the Blu-ray, we are only
presented
with standard subtitles. Night Watch Trilogy (480p, 3:27) is a piece that discusses the
origins of the
ideas and the styles behind each movie. Comic Book Still Gallery (480p, 8:44) is a
portion of the comic book, subtitled. Rounding out the features is a poster gallery (480p, 1:20),
the film's theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:26), and additional 1080p trailers for Day Watch, Alien Vs. Predator,
From Hell, The Fly, Man on Fire, and Sunshine. This
feature is also D-Box enabled.
Night Watch is an amalgamation of horror, drama, and fantasy, a film that revels in kinetically-filmed action and plenty of blood and guts, but also remembers there is a story to be told, and a good one at that. The film offers just the right mix of horror action and good storytelling, and the result is one of the more unique pictures of the decade. It's slow to build but quick to crescendo, a film that slowly unravels its secrets and finishes with a barrage of revelations that will leave you on the edge of your seat and yearning to pop the sequel, Day Watch, into your Blu-ray player. 20th Century Fox presents Night Watch on Blu-ray in a quality package that makes the set worth your while. With an excellent lossless soundtrack in the original Russian language, a fine 1080p video presentation, and a good selection of supplements, the disc is another winner from Fox, and the surprisingly good movie contained thereon is well worth watching. Recommended.
Unrated | Dnevnoy Dozor
2006
2010
1999
2006
Unrated
2003
Director's Cut
1997
2005
2011
Collector's Edition | + Theatrical Cut on BD
2004
2016
2016
2012
2009
2012
2006
2013
2016
2007
2005
2004