Day Watch

"Day Watch" reaches Blu-ray with a presentation that embraces and enhances the film's unique visual and thematic elements. Housed in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p high definition transfer, the sequel maintains the gritty, darker aesthetic of its predecessor, "Night Watch," while making noticeable improvements in detail and color rendition. The decision to shift aspect ratios, mirroring a thematic departure, is executed well, providing a canvas that brings the sequel's broader scope into focus. Detail is robust, highlighting textures and nuances from the intricate patterns of a sweater in a key restaurant scene to the distinct features of characters' faces. The picture quality exhibits a balanced palette where colors are more pronounced and black levels deeper, offering a visual experience that is both dynamic and engaging.

The film's grainy texture remains an intentional part of its visual style, preserved effectively through the transfer. This grain adds to the film's atmosphere without overpowering the clarity of the image. However, it's not without its minor flaws; occasional softness and instances of artificial sharpening slightly mar an otherwise impressive presentation. Shadow detail is competent, though certain scenes may veer towards being overly dark, affecting the visibility of finer details in low-light conditions. Despite these few inconsistencies, the transfer avoids the pitfalls of oversaturation and brightness that affected "Night Watch," presenting colors that are fittingly drab or vibrant when necessary.

Edge ringing and digital artifacts are minimal, ensuring that the film's many action sequences and quieter moments retain their intended impact. Scenes of high action, while mostly free from compression issues, can exhibit moments where the film’s grain seems somewhat pronounced. Yet, these instances do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. Overall, "Day Watch" on Blu-ray offers a notable improvement over its predecessor, striking a fine balance between maintaining the series' stylistic essence and providing a clear, detailed, and visually striking experience that fans and newcomers alike will appreciate.

Day Watch's audio presentation on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, showcases an impressively powerful sound design that engages each speaker to create an immersive sound field meticulously. The quality of the bass stands out as both deep and tight, contributing to the palpable presence of each scene, especially highlighted in the dynamic assault experienced in sequences such as the car-in-a-building scene. Such moments boast a fidelity, dynamics, and precision that bring the action to vivid life, from the squealing tires to the revving engines, enhancing not just these intense scenes but also Yuri Poteyenko's potent hard rock music, which gains a visceral depth thanks to the soundtrack's dynamic quality.

Moreover, the soundscape benefits from seamless panning sequences and a highly atmospheric use of sound effects, ensuring a cohesive and enveloping atmosphere. The dialogue clarity is exceptional, with crystalline reproduction that captures distinct tonal variations and texture among the cast, maintaining consistency even amidst the aggressive surround action and less echo-y effects compared to its predecessor. While the English dubbed audio is available, the original Russian track in lossless format undoubtedly offers a richer, more authentic sonic experience.

However, it should be noted that despite the overall excellence in audio presentation, there are moments where the balance between quiet scenes and explosive action could be improved. Some found the dynamic range forceful, yet the transition between softer and louder moments occasionally lacks smoothness, potentially attributing this to the original production over the disc's encoding. In essence, Day Watch's Blu-ray audio excels in creating an immersive and aggressive auditory experience but is not without its minor flaws, which slightly distract from an otherwise stellar performance.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Day Watch" bring together a mix of insightful and disappointing elements that complement the main feature in this release. Leading the pack is a commentary track with director Timur Bekmambetov, though it suffers from long gaps and often feels tedious, undermining the inclusion of fascinating insights into the film's making and inspirations. The making-of featurette stands out as it dives into the production aspects with a detailed Russian perspective, supported by cast and crew interviews, albeit all delivered in standard definition (SD) with English subtitles. The disc is rounded off with a selection of 16 Russian TV spots and trailers, both in Russian and an English-dubbed American trailer, which offer little in terms of new content but may appeal to completists or fans. Notably, the Blu-ray edition uniquely includes D-Box Motion Code, a niche feature for an enhanced viewing experience through compatible furniture, though its appeal might be limited to a very specific audience. Overall, the extras seem like a mixed bag that leans more towards fan service rather than broadening the appeal or adding significant value to the viewing experience of "Day Watch."

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: A feature with director Timur Bekmambetov.
• The Making of Day Watch: A behind-the-scenes look at the film's production.
• 16 Russian TV Spots: A collection of short commercials.
• Theatrical Trailer (HD): The American trailer for the film.
• 6 Russian Trailers: Additional trailers in Russian.
• D-Box Motion Code: An exclusive feature for D-Box equipped furniture owners.

The continuation of Timur Bekmambetov's visually striking exploration into the apocalyptic battle between forces of Light and Darkness, "Day Watch," offers an ambitious sequel to the groundbreaking "Night Watch." Carrying over the innovative storytelling and stylistic flourishes that earmarked its predecessor as a cinematic milestone in Russian film history, "Day Watch" seeks to expand the universe with greater grandeur but stumbles under the weight of its own complexity. Unlike the taut, gritty atmosphere of "Night Watch," this follow-up ventures into a more bloated narrative terrain, intertwining new characters and mystical elements, such as the Chalk of Fate, with the continuing saga of Anton and his quest to prevent Armageddon amidst an uneasy truce teetering towards war.

Despite its grander scale and the return of familiar faces, "Day Watch" suffers from a narrative congestion that muddles its core storyline. The introduction of fantastical elements like a deadly yo-yo and gender-swapping escapades injects an almost cartoonish quality that dilutes the darker, more serious tone established in the series' first chapter. Additionally, the sequel's reliance on CGI visuals and expansive subplots tends to detract from the visceral engagement and raw energy that defined "Night Watch." The film's lengthy runtime further exacerbates these issues, making it a challenging viewing experience even for avid followers of Bekmambetov's visionary tale.

Moreover, "Day Watch" culminates in an ending that feels like a narrative cop-out, unwinding much of the intrigue and character development painstakingly built up over two films. This reset button approach not only undercuts the stakes but also leaves audiences questioning the significance of their journey through this uniquely crafted world. Despite these criticisms, Bekmambetov's audacious direction and the film's undeniably creative ambitions are noteworthy. However, they are overshadowed by a screenplay that struggles to find coherence amidst its sprawling ambition, leaving "Day Watch" as a visually captivating yet ultimately unsatisfying sequel in what promised to be an innovative trilogy.

In evaluating the Blu-ray presentation of "Day Watch", the sequel to "Night Watch", it's clear that the experience can be somewhat divisive among audiences. The technical prowess of the Blu-ray itself is indisputable. The movie is showcased with exceptional audio and video transfers that honor the cinematic quality one would expect, supported by an array of high-end equipment including the JVC DLA-RS1x 1080p High Definition Front Projector and a host of other top-tier audio/video devices such as the Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray disc Player and the Denon AVR 5308CI THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor, ensuring that the technical delivery is pristine. Supplemental materials, though present, may not significantly enhance the overall viewing experience but will satisfy enthusiasts interested in the film's production nuances.

However, from a content perspective, "Day Watch" seems to fall short of expectations created by its predecessor. The narrative is perceived as lacking, described by some as "silly, predictable, meandering, and oftentimes boring", which starkly contrasts with its engaging antecedent. This sentiment is echoed across several reviews, highlighting a consensus on the film's inability to compellingly follow up "Night Watch." Despite this narrative shortfall, there remains a unique appeal in the film's exploration of themes through a Russian cultural lens, offering an intriguing divergence from Western-centric interpretations of the genre.

Conclusively, while "Day Watch" on Blu-ray triumphs in delivering a visually and auditorily rich experience, courtesy of its superior technical presentation on high-quality equipment, its story fails to resonate as powerfully as hoped. For fans of the first film or those with a keen interest in cinematic style and technical execution, this Blu-ray offers a worthwhile journey. However, for those seeking a robust and engaging storyline that builds meaningfully on its predecessor, it may fall short. Ultimately, "Day Watch" presents a polarizing but visually stunning piece that is best recommended with reservations.