Day Watch

“Day Watch” movie (aka Night Watch 2 aka Dnevnoy Dozor) made US$ 26 mln in just 15 days of January. 6 mln Russians watched it in 480 cinemas around the country. This is an absolutely record in the history of Russian (and Soviet) cinematography. What’s really amazing – the movie’s budget was only US$ 4,2 mln. Although ORT – the major Russian TV network – spent probably twice as much on advertising and promoting the movie. Incidentally ORT is also the producer of the movie.

In comparison with Night Watch the sequel is not so gloomy and one doesn’t need to read Lukyanenko’s novels in order to understand the plot. Cuttings between scenes are not so annoying and abrupt as in Night Watch but still it’s very well paced and all in all logical.
There are some original novelties I never saw before, like credits displayed on billboards and neon signs along the road as the Gorsvet bus drives by. Also a huge Ferris wheel rolling along the night streets and running over screaming Muscovites was terrific.

I was pleasantly surprised that product placement in the movie became quite subtle. At least not so much obtrusive as in Night Watch.

I’m looking forward to see Twilight Watch that is due to come at the end of 2006.

Click here to watch the trailer.

Related Tags: Russia, movie, Day Watch, Night Watch 2, Dnevnoy Dozor