DAYWATCH (2006)

TITLE
Daywatch (Dnevnoy dozor)

STARRING
Konstantin Khabensky, Mariya Poroshina, Vladimir Menshov, Viktor Verzhbitsky, Galina Tyunina, Dmitry Martynov

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
Following closely in timeline to where Nightwatch left off, Daywatch picks up with Anton (Khabensky) and the forces of light eagerly pursuing the enforcement of the treaty. As Svetlana (Poroshina) rises to status of a Great Other, like Yegor (Martynov), the forces of dark are seeking to frame Anton for violating the treaty, while attempting to obtain the Chalk of Fate. A battle for the life of Anton ensues between Svetlana and Yegor, which brings both Geser (Menshov) and Zavulon (Verzhbitsky) into the folds of the fight. At this moment, we realize the difficulty Anton faced in deciding to help Svetlana especape the clutches of Zavulon, while simeltaneously handing over his son to the dark others when he was not there to protect him. In a race against time, to undo the all the ensuing chaos, Anton must take the Chalk of Fate and summon its powers, impacting his decision to abort his wife's pregnancy thirteen years earlier.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
This is it. This is the big epic from Russia and its already been reported that Duskwatch, the third and final installment in the franchise, has now been changed to Twilightwatch and will be produced, in as far as possible by Hollywood. The edginess that we've come to expect in this fiercely foreign trilogy, will be all but gone. Later this year, a movie entitled Wanted will grace American theatres with a distinctly American cast, flare, and CGI, however it will have a very Russian director; in fact, it is a Timur Bekmambetov film, the same director of the Nightwatch Trilogy.

Nightwatch was a better film in many ways but it lacked the character development and special effects that Daywatch holds dear. Unfortunately, Daywatch so heavily relied on special effects that many scenes were not edited in full or part. Left in gratuitously, these scenes impacted the overall cohesiveness of the film. Still, many of the characters received good development, especially Anton, Svetlana, and Yegor. Others roles were expanded and several of the dark others, specifically the shape-shifters are pretty much absent from the second installment. CGI fans will be rewarded. Both Nightwatch and Daywatch represent the first attempt of Russia to make Hollywood-quality pictures and that certainly deserves a nod. Watch in order - no matter how hard Nightwatch is to find!

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Yes, absolutely, and if they don't you can just blame me or their bad taste.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Yes, but I only briefly checked them out, I am waiting to own them before I invest hours in watching special features.

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