I differ from most of the opinions here. I think this is an intelligent, sophisticated thriller that doesn't bow to the usual Hollywood formula. The setting is of course the battle between good and evil, but this is completely personalized, and instantiated in a simple act of human (or inhuman?) nature. There is a definitely moral viewpoint here, which, if not terribly original, is nonetheless unique within the usual Vampire lore. Watch is for the visuals, but take away the unexpected message.… Expand

A very entertaining flick with a very intriguing story behind it. The "F" grade given by Entertainment Weekly mystifies me and is the most undeserving review of any movie I've ever seen (I usually love EW's reviewers for their intelligence and taste). A little strange at times, but a great atmospheric look at modern-day Moscow from a slightly tilted angle. Anyone who has read Bulgakov's great novel "Master and Margarita" will recognize a certain similiarity in the sensibility of this film. Definitely worth checking out.… Expand

The fact that Entertainment Weekly gave it a 0 should automatically let any intelligent person know that this is an unbelievable film. Metacritic, don't let ET rate films for us...PLEASE!

Very nice film actually, part 2 of the series is already filmed and had big success here, in Russia. CGI is much better, story is getting clear and you'll see much more of picturesque details. Of both post-Soviet Russia and Asia (Timur Bekmambetov is actully of Kazakh origin, don't mix up it with Cossack). Although many reviews here stated it is a three-part saga, it is not. Second film is the last one, actual ending differs from the novel series (4 books right now). Reviews are quite funny, judging from a Ruissian standpoint. Personally I like the film very much. Lukianenko (novel author) worked on script, Bekmambetov is a nice director, so it's a nice film with a nice story. Nothing is related to Matrix, really ;). Furthermore you'll get a grip of contemporary Russia. Without ununderstandable national conotations.… Expand

Waste of time. Must appeal only to Russian Vampire nerds. I walked out of the theatre becuase it's so corny.

not a classic but better than Van Helsing or Underworld 2.

This is an excellent film if you have the brains to understand what's going on. A perfect blend between hi-tech, trickery (the subtitles are excellent) and character development (how anyone could say the character of Anton is shallow is insane). Definitely watch this excellent film. And then go see 'Day Watch'.

Yeah its weird, but not in a David Lynch type of way. More like in a Vanilla Sky type of way. Its not that all the random unexplained occurrences of this movie don't have a point. They do, it is an allegory after all. The problem is that all the random events don't tie together into anything even resembling a story. And for just stringing together a bunch of special FX scenes without being bound by them having to make any sense as a whole none of them really are that impressive. Some of them flat out cheesy.… Expand

I loved this movie. It was just a cool film. and even tho it was a low budget film, it takes that to its advantage. I swear, I have never wanted a flashlight more than when I saw this movie. This movie was good, the director was good, and the books and author were good.

I found that to fully appreciate the movie you need to have either, read the book, (FYI the book is much better than the movie) or watched the movie more than once. Fun and absorbing to watch, but the product placement gets in the way a bit though. My suggestion is read the book if you have the time, then watch the movie. Overall, it seems to have been done very intelligently, with the added bonus of not having to hear an American accent throughout the course of the film.… Expand

I loved this movie. i am learning russian, it was kinda a distraction to learning because it was so awesome. but i love this movie and the book as also good.

This film is appalling, nonsensical, purile, inane and pointless. Wait for the Hollywood remake - the first in history to be better than the original.

Brilliant. Great break from high budget dumbed down Hollywood fare typically available in this genre.

An absolutely excellent piece of cinema. A unique storyline that keeps the viewer thinking throughout. Instead of being hindered by subtitles, this movie uses them as an art form itself, making it easier to read the subtitles and also catch the action on the screen. A beautiful ending, a brilliant cliffhanger, and I can not wait for the next two installments. P.S: I do not give out 10s very easily at all, I am VERY critical of what I watch, so kudos to Night Watch.… Expand

Dark, edgy, fun, orginal, done in great style, and not as hard to follow as some have it out to be.

Awful film - it kills you to have to sit through such rubbish - all the critics who say it's good are very very wrong. The only thing worth watching about it are the cute little subtitles which do weird things that they don't usually do. The rest of the film is cheesy and boring as hell.

Nice little horror fantasy movie, with elements of the matrix. Deep and from Russia. The subtitles are a character in itself.

Wow, i suppose the 10's and the 0's shouldn't surprise me. You're either onboard with this film's absurd sense of style or you're not. Think alot of people don't understand that this is the first chapter of what is intended to be a trilogy. As such, there a alot of storylines that are introduced, but very little is actually resolved here. By the end of the film, i was DYING to see the next chapter, DAY WATCH.… Expand

Night Watch doesn't make much sense. Often during the film, I admit I had trouble understanding what exactly was going on. There are just too many subplots, unexplained resolutions, confusing character motives (or lack of them). Unfortunately, the movie can't make up for those weaknesses with genuinely scary scenes. The director's nervous and jumpy camera style may have been the most interesting thing about the movie.… Expand

This is the firs part of a trilogy and the movie just works as a presentation of a lot of characters and a definition of style. This is just the first effort to take some people to the cinemas to watch an ambitious mix of science fiction, horror and indie filmmaking, so the audience must get this film as that. "Night Watch" must not be taken seriously as a film, but as a part, a fragment of a whole. Because the film has the looks of a simple sequence and its reaches don´t jump more high.… Expand

I really liked this. Not sure why people found it so hard to follow. Okay, so its hardly original, but very well done and the effects and imagination are excellent, clearly done by a mind unconditioned by hollywood.

If you don't understand why this is a great movie, it's probably because you resent having to ever think or be presented with anything new and prever to be spoonfed chewed up hollywood garbage.

Russian film where the the Forces of Light battle the Forces of Dark in a nutshell. Vampires, decent effects & general all round mayhem. Borrowing from Star Wars, LOTR & the Matrix to name a few, it is very slick & well directed. I can see why it is considered a "cult" classic but really not my thing at all.