Night Watch (15)

Directed by Timur Bekhambetov
Screenplay by Timur Bekhambetov & Sergei Lukyanenko
Showing at FACT from 7th - 27th October 2005

Reviewed by Colin Serjent

Unusual Russian horror/fantasy film, which is an adaptation of an acclaimed novel by Sergei Lukyanenko. Some critics compare the movie to the work of maestro Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky...I think not!

However it is a fascinating film, directed by Timur Bekhambetov, although the plot is often unfathomable at times.

Apparently it is a battle between the forces of light (i.e. good) and dark (i.e. evil), with the struggle taking place in modern day Moscow including in the metro and on dark rainsodden streets.

Cinematographer Sergei Trofimov excels with stunning visuals - remarkably Night Watch only cost £4 million to make, which is chicken feed compared to the production costs of most Hollywood films of similar ilk - but as is often the case with so-called blockbusters it offers far more style than substance.

Nevertheless it is an entertaining way to spend two hours if you have nothing else better to do.