Day Watch (Dnevnoĭ Dozor), 2007

I had been wanting to watch this again ever since reading the books. I am still waiting for the first one, Night Watch, to come in from the library, but I think it got stuck (lost?).

Anyway, the DVD really sucks in comparison to the film I saw at Boardman's Art Theater. And it's not just the quality of the medium (which is significant, just not alone in the list). Right off, I was hugely disappointed in the old-style, blocking subtitles. What happened to the artsy, tasteful, really cool subtitles?!? Another thing, I did not remember the soundtrack being so bland (in fact, muted in most cases); was the original film like that?

In and of itself, the flick was not as great as I remembered it. I am going to have to chalk it up to being 2 years later and my memory emphasized the more catchy aspects. And I really subconciously buried how much the movie differed from the book. In fact, how can they even think of doing Twilight Watch on the silver screen?!?

One good think about the DVD was the extra features. Watching the "making of" really reminded me what an awesome job the actors did, especially Galina Tyunina who had to act as Anton. Interesting views from the actors themselves, and we got a glimpse at the awesome reception this work received in the homeland. Good stuff.

I still really appreciate how the movie brings the book to life. I still want to see the others.