When you think cinema, probably one of the last places that you’d think of a fantastic film coming from is Russia. Japan, China, and Hong Kong for example have thrilled American audiences for decades with tales of samurai, ghostly horror stories, and martial arts epics that have become influential and the subject of remakes. But . . . Russia? Could they even have the means to make a movie especially now that the former Soviet Union has collapsed and the country has fallen on hard times? The answer, remarkably enough, is yes, and Night Watch is certain to make a lasting impact across the world.

Night Watch is the first part of a trilogy (everyone loves doing films in threes) loosely based on the novel of the same name (and also is making its way to North America very soon.) The world of Night Watch begins centuries ago with a climatic battle between the forces of Light and Dark, known as Others, but this battle has been met with a truce. Gesser, the Lord of the Light and Zavulon, the general of the Dark Others agreed that the two sides where no one could be forced to either side, but the truce went one step further. The Light and Dark have been keeping a watch on one another to make sure the truce is not broken, and for those that follow the Light, they are known as Night Watch.

The film then trusts the audience to Moscow circa 1992 where we find a young man, Anton Gorodetsky (Konstantin Khabensky) who seems to have lost his wife to another man. He visits and old woman who promises to get her back, but the problem is that she is pregnant and he will be required to agree to take the life of the unborn child. Their pact is made, but before she can complete her ceremony, Night Watch stops her and this is when they discover that Anton can actually see them, meaning that he isn’t human but in fact an Other.

This sets the stage for present day Russia where Night Watch continues its duties and Anton is now a part of their elite group. We find him hunting a vampire who has recently forced a young woman onto the side of Darkness and part of the truce requires that violators are arrested and tried, but Anton kills the vampire. This death is merely the start of things to come and Anton must now try and find the young boy, Yeagor, before the vampires locate him again and there is another threat as a deadly vortex of dark energy threatens to destroy mankind all because of one woman.

Night Watch really is an outstanding piece of work and director Timur Bekmambetov has a keen key, but there is much more to be found here than simply a stylish film. The premise of the movie, and the books, really draws from some of the best things that cinema has had to offer over the years. The vampire hunting aspect isn’t too far removed from the films in the Blade trilogy, but there is much more going on that simply hunting for creatures of the night. As we learn and see more of the Others, we see they have a variety of skills. Two of Night Watch’s members, Tiger Cub and Bear, and shape-shifters, and we are treated to a very brief moment where Tiger Cub transforms into her name sake. The computer animation and transition here is outstanding and actually comes as quite a surprise if you’re not expecting it. The film later introduces another shape-shifter, Olga, who begins as what seems to be a stuffed owl, then a living creature, and finally a woman, though she says that this form is all punishment.

While the film may be dealing with Dark and Light, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are outright enemies, at least not always. Anton has a neighbor who he is somewhat friendly with even though he is a Dark Other and coincidentally happens to be a vampire. Amidst all of this, we have a legend that there will be one Other who will arise and the fate of the world is dependant upon which side he freely chooses. Yeagor, the young boy that Anton is trying to protect, is that Other, but there is a little more to him than Night Watch or Anton even realizes, though the clues slowly fall into place.

The story itself is very good, but it's the effects however that make the film even more impressive, and Night Watch undoubtedly is going to have the same impact as what the original Matrix film did. Night Watch is filled with great moments such as the first epic battle which is suddenly frozen in place while the representatives of Light and Dark walk through a maze of hovering weapons shards and soldiers ready to continue with their battle. Anton’s fight with the vampires is also a great sequence, and this gives us an introduction into the Gloom, a place that exists parallel to Earth where only others can enter. The effects become even more jaw dropping when a very important aspect of the movie sinks in, and not that it’s Russian, but that Night Watch was filmed for a mere $4.2 million, an amount that really shows what you can get for your money.

If you want an even better understanding at how some of these shots were achieved, you will find that available with the director commentary, which interestingly enough is in Russia with subtitles. There is also an extended version of the ending and a look at the upcoming Night Watch sequels, and you can look forward to yet another trilogy with this series. Hopefully though this won’t become a Matrix type affair where the other two movies lack the impact that the original did, but I don’t think that Russian film making is going to be quite like what we find here in the States.

Night Watch is the Russia counterpart to Blade and The Matrix with all the style and flair of big Hollywood feature films. I guess Russia does have something else to offer besides T.A.T.U, though they already have fallen out of the limelight after only one domestic release. But, with vampires, vodka, and eye-popping effects, you really couldn’t want much more, and Night Watch shows that Russian directors can easily make themselves contenders in the vast world of cinema.