Plot: What’s it about?
Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) remains an agent of the Night Watch, even as the truce between the Light and the Dark continues to head toward an end. Anton’s role in the situation is more complex than ever, as his son Yegor (Dimitry Martynov) has been revealed as the Great One and has chosen a side. Yegor’s decision to join the darkness puts Anton in a precarious position, as he must do his best to uphold the Night Watch’s rules, while also keeping his son’s actions unpunished. The two sides soon clash over an artifact known as the Chalk, which is said to give one the ability to rewrite history. This powerful artifact becomes the center of a ruthless race, as both sides push to gain the Chalk. As the world’s fate once again faces an uncertain future, can Anton and the Night Watch come through one more time?
I enjoyed Night Watch, so when Day Watch was released, I was optimistic. But of course, few sequels manage to equal the originals, so I was braced for a let down. Day Watch proved to be one of the exceptions however, as it is actually a better movie than Night Watch. The extended running time helps the plot seem more coherent, but this is still a complex, hard to understand story at times, thanks to the mythology involved. But then I suppose you don’t need to pick up all the information, as Day Watch is fun even if you’re not up on all the finer points. The sense of style from Night Watch returns, so the visuals are dynamic and while this isn’t as polished as most U.S. blockbusters, it looks damn good. In short, if you liked Night Watch even a little, you owe it to yourself to see Day Watch, as it is even better. For fans of this film or those who want to own all three “Watch” movies, these Blu-ray versions are the ones you’ll want to snatch up.
Video: How does it look?
Day Watch is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. A more than solid visual transfer, with a clean, sharp presence that rarely disappoints. There is some inherent grain, but it is part of the print and is never a concern. Most scenes show impressive detail, even eye popping at times, with minimal softness. I found contrast to be accurate and consistent, while colors performed well, with no errors to mention. So all in all, a great looking presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
The original Russian soundtrack is used, in an effective DTS HD 5.1 option. The surrounds have plenty to do here, which gives us a rich, expansive soundtrack. The more action driven scenes benefit the most, with remarkable bass and active rear channels, but every scene provides an immersive texture. The music adds even more life, while dialogue is clear and clean, free from any kind of technical woes. This disc also includes English, Spanish, and French language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Timbur Bekmambetov’s audio comments are well worth a listen, as the director covers a lot of ground and is never light on the insights. He is talkative throughout the duration and with a movie this long, that means a wealth of knowledge is dropped. This disc also includes a look behind the scenes, some television spots, and seven of the film’s theatrical trailers.
