Night Watch (2004)

Also known as Nochnoy Dozor.
Here's a film so absolutely bursting with story ideas that the entire thing feels like one big setup for the sequel. Thankfully, it's also bursting with visual ideas, so if nothing else you get a eye full of impressive effects concepts. The story's central conceit about a shaky truce between conflicting sides of blood-drinking supermen (not necessarily vampires, though there are some here) is needlessly elaborate and told in such a way that feels both obtuse and pointlessly obscure. It still all makes sense when you look back at it, but getting to that point can be a chore. Couple that with a poorly explained set of apparently complex rules for the truce itself, and all you'll get here is a headache. But the visual side of this tale is remarkably inventive, enough so that the film is mostly redeemed. There are some really nifty effects sequences and action bits in place, and even some really cool ways to depict some of the more mundane details. The rest ranges from inoffensive to strangely spastic, such as the jarring editing that manages to keep a consistent pace despite itself. Calling it style-over-substance isn't quite accurate, since there's plenty of substance going on, but the style is just much more compelling. Either way it's an interesting, if troubled, ride.

6 out of 10.