Nightwatch

Nightwatch is the first in a trilogy of films based on the fight between good and evil. It is set in modern day Moscow which is refreshing especially as it is based on a Russian novel and acted and directed by Russian actors and a director, Timur Bekmambetov.

Centuries ago the forces of light and dark battled for days until both sides realised none would be victorious. A truce was agreed upon whereby no side would attack another and Nightwatch was set up as a police force for these forces called The Others to protect and prevent any killings which might take place and arrest those who break the truce.

The style and direction is excellent with some great camera angles and CGI footage worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. However, what lets the film down is the pace and plot development which at times is unfocused and slightly amateurish. Nevertheless the acting and and action scenes are well put together and the finalé sets up the plot for the sequel.

The reason for the above may boil down to huge changes in the international version of the film where scenes have been changed or removed and conversations redubbed and entire subplots removed making it 10 minutes less than the Russian version. I would certainly like to rewatch the original for comparison purposes but unfortunately this version didn't enthuse me too much to go and see it in the cinema so like it's predecessor I will be watching it on DVD.

I would give Nightwatch 2.5 vampires out of 5.