Day Watch (Unrated)In 2004, the Russian film industry decided it was time to create their own big budget Hollywood-style blockbusters, and the result was Night Watch, a horror/fantasy film about The Others, beings with special powers. There are Dark Others and Light Others, who after a millennium of war decided they were too evenly matched and are now navigating an uneasy truce. But not for long. Prophecy foretells of The Great One, who will appear and pick a side, Light or Dark, and then that side will be extra powerful and will win the war. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), Night Watch was bizarre and confusing, but just as visually inventive and intriguing. And it made oodles of cash in Russia, where it was an even bigger hit than Lord of the Rings. There was no doubt that the story of the Others was going to continue.
Also directed by Bekmambetov, Day Watch, is not really a sequel so much as a direct continuation - almost as if the first movie never ended. Day Watch throws you right into the action, without re-introducing characters or situations. Some people may applaud this lack of exposition, but I found it jarring. There are SO many characters to keep track of that it is inevitable that you will be pausing the film and asking, "who the heck is that guy again??" The film's visual style is also so bizarre, with crazy cuts and camera angles, and a shifting tone that bounces from horror to slapstick comedy to drama often within the same scene, that you are not able to get your bearings for a good twenty minutes or so.
The film settles down after awhile and you start to realize there is actually a plot - Anton (Konstantin Khabenskiy), our hero from the first film, is framed for a murder that could destroy the truce between the Light and the Dark. For a good chunk of the movie, he is in theory on the run, trying to either hide or run away from the Darks. I say in theory because even though in some scenes the Darks are chasing him, in other scenes he is having casual conversations with these same villains, and even accepts an invitation to his son's birthday party - his son being a pupil of the Dark Lord. So why are they hunting him in some scenes and all buddy-buddy in other scenes? I have no clue. Maybe if I knew Russian it would make more sense, but I somehow doubt it. So much of this movie makes no sense.
I digress. Anton is in this little pickle so he decides to try and find the mythical Chalk of Fate, which allows its user to rewrite past mistakes. He also is trying to resist his romantic urges towards Svetlana, who is the Great One. Or is his son, Yeger, the Great One? Wait, they are both Great Ones? The prophecy says the Great One will tip the balance in favor of either Light or Dark. If there are two Great Ones, one good and one bad, then doesn't that just maintain the same balance and defeat the whole point of the prophecy and therefore the movie? Huh? I am confused just writing this review - clearly this script was not very well thought out before they committed it to film.
Not to say the film is all bad. For a time, Anton switches bodies with Olga, the stoic second-in command of the forces of Light. This allows for some cute gender reversal jokes, as well as some great acting from Khabenskiy and Galina Tyunina. Tyunina, in particular, has great fun mocking Anton's slouching, slobby gait and horrible manners. Also, as the film powers towards its climactic birthday party battle, I couldn't help but be swept along with the ride as the momentum builds and builds. Shame the climactic fight itself doesn't live up to this effective buildup. Why are some people fighting and other people still dancing and drinking as if nothing is happening? Why are some of the warriors wearing medieval helmets and iron chestplates on their upper bodies, but boxer shorts and sandles below the belt?
Sigh. Day Watch has its fans. I think they are won over by the outlandish special effects and director Timur Bekmambetov's visual style. He certainly has an exciting, over-the-top technique that puts Michael Bay to shame. But its all too much - too loud, too fast, too strange - and the style does not always service the story. In fact, it often makes a confusing story even more confusing. He's got something, though. I'll give him that. If he takes a step back, hammers out a strong narrative and exerts control over his excesses, he probably will end up making some kickbutt action films in his future. He's a director to watch, I think, but I do not suggest you watch Day Watch.
MVP: I have to give it to Galina Tyunina as Olga. Her performance as Anton in Olga's body is the film's highlight performance. Olga is normally cold, humorless, with a rigid ballerina ice queen posture and demeanor. To watch Olga turn into a dirty, unhealthy slouch is a funny and remarkable turn. She clearly studied Khabenskiy's performance carefully because she mimics his way of walking, talking and even facial expressions perfectly. The sequence turns the movie around and refocused me after the jarring first act. The second act up to the climax is the film's strongest section and it may not be a coincidence that Olga is a major player during these scenes.
TRIVIA: A massive hit in Russia, Day Watch was the first film to surpass the $30 million mark. The producers had a feeling this movie would smash all records and even made a joke about it in the film itself. At one point, Anton leaps through and destroys a poster for the movie 9 rota which was the previous box office champ.
