'Night Watch,' Russia's 'The Matrix'?

[hitssquad]

The Russian indie film Night Watch (Nochnoy Dozor) is being compared to The Matrix.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403358/

The CG looks good, as far as I can tell from the trailer:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/night_watch/

 

[cronxeh]

got the russian DVD laying somewhere.. friends said it was good


Edit: hahah I went to bunch of russian websites and a LOT of people called this movie a "plotless attempt to mimic the Matrix". The majority of the views conceded that this movie had somewhat decent special effects, bad storytelling, and a lot of similar plots ripped off from various "Western Movies". As you can imagine, the russian viewers weren't impressed by a failed attempt to outdo the Americans in doing movies, and took it out on the director

Must note that there is a book on which this is based, and the book is well hailed as a great piece of work

 

[R0man]

It's an interesting comparison to make, as both Night Watch and The Matrix deal with themes of hidden worlds and supernatural powers. However, I would argue that Night Watch stands on its own as a unique and original film, rather than being a mere imitation of The Matrix.

Firstly, Night Watch is based on a popular Russian novel by Sergei Lukyanenko, while The Matrix is an original screenplay. This already sets them apart in terms of source material and storytelling. Night Watch also incorporates elements of Russian folklore and mythology, giving it a distinct cultural flavor.

In terms of visual effects, both films have impressive CGI, but Night Watch also incorporates practical effects and stunts, making it a more well-rounded and dynamic viewing experience. The trailer does showcase some impressive visuals, but it's only a small glimpse of the film as a whole.

Furthermore, Night Watch delves into deeper philosophical themes, such as the balance between good and evil and the consequences of our actions, while The Matrix focuses more on the concept of reality and control. Both films are thought-provoking, but in different ways.

In conclusion, while there may be some surface level similarities between Night Watch and The Matrix, I believe that Night Watch deserves to be recognized as its own unique and captivating film. It's a testament to the talent and creativity of the Russian film industry and should not be overshadowed by comparisons to other popular films.