Watch Day Watch
- R
- 2007
- 2 hr 12 min
-
6.4 (35,578)
Day Watch is a Russian fantasy film directed by Timur Bekmambetov, which is a sequel to the movie Night Watch, released in 2004. The movie is based on a series of novels by Sergei Lukyanenko and Vladimir Vasiliev. The film stars Konstantin Khabenskiy, Mariya Poroshina, and Vladimir Menshov in lead roles. The story picks up right where Night Watch ended. The movie takes place in a world where people with supernatural powers exist and are split into two sides, Light and Dark. They are bound by a treaty that allows them to maintain a balance of power between them. The Day Watch is an organization of Light Others that monitors the Dark Ones during daylight hours, while the Night Watch does the same during the night. But, the treaty that has kept the balance between the two sides is deteriorating, and chaos is about to ensue.
Anton (Konstantin Khabenskiy), a member of the Night Watch and a seer with the ability to see the past of any object he touches, is investigating the murder of a young boy. Meanwhile, a cursed virgin named Olga (Galina Tyunina), who is a Dark Other, is trying to get rid of the curse and save herself from eternal damnation. At the same time, Anton's son Egor (Dima Martynov) is trying to harness his powers as a Great Other, an extremely powerful individual who can change the fate of the world.
The plot twists and turns as Anton and Olga’s paths cross, leading to a series of events that could destabilize the peace between the Light and Dark factions for good. The tension between the two factions builds as the curse on Olga and the battle for power in the Light and Dark factions come to a climactic conclusion.
The storyline of Day Watch is intriguing and the visual effects are stunning. The fictional, supernatural elements of the plot are enhanced by the exquisite graphics, making for a breathtaking watch. The characters, particularly Anton, are well-developed and their arcs are a thrilling mix of action, romance, and betrayal. The pacing of the movie is fantastic, with every scene blending seamlessly into the next.
Khabenskiy’s portrayal of Anton is impressive. His character is vulnerable, yet resilient, and the audience is able to connect with his emotions quite easily. Mariya Poroshina gives a fabulous performance as Olga, bringing depth to what could have been a one-note villainous role. Vladimir Menshov is also noteworthy in his role as Zavulon, the leader of the Day Watch.
The movie also has a political undertone as it explores the notion of power and the lengths people will go to obtain it. The plot highlights how people on both sides were willing to break ties to maintain or increase their power. The metaphor of the Day Watch and Night Watch agencies serving as a sort of regulator between the Light and Dark sides provides a commentary for how real-life organizations are necessary to keep balance in society.
The filmmakers made a wise choice to make Day Watch more action-based than its predecessor, Night Watch. The action scenes are brilliantly executed and leave the audience on the edge of their seats. Even though the plot is complex, the film manages to maintain its momentum throughout, leaving no room for boredom.
In conclusion, Day Watch is an excellent continuation of the Night Watch franchise. It is a captivating, pulse-pounding film with an engaging plot and excellent performances from the cast. The themes of power, balance, and morality make for an intellectual experience. Yet, with its impeccable action scenes and stunning visual effects, Day Watch is also an enjoyable cinematic ride. It successfully combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and politics to create a unique and memorable film.
Day Watch is a 2007 fantasy movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 59.