Released this week is the second chapter Day Watch; and having already become the first movie in post-communist Russia to surpass the $30 million mark at the box office, hopes are high for another international success as well.

The film follows Anton - a member of the Night Watch who makes sure that the forces of Dark do not break a binding truce to live in peace during the night.
But when members of the Dark Others start mysteriously dying and Anton is framed for their murders, he must not only solve the crimes to protect himself from the Day Watch, but try to stop an end to the truce which could destroy the world.

Night Watch is definitely required viewing ahead of this latest film.
Despite a brief summary of the previous instalment, it simply can't cram in all the twists and turns, subplots and character histories that Night Watch introduced in such a small space of time; which could cause a little confusion as the film progresses.

Like most successful sequels Day Watch does not seem like a 'same but more' re-hashing of the source material, but rather a necessary continuation of the original film.

Keeping the same look, the special effects are mind-blowing.
With the fantastical sub-reality of 'The Gloom', pulse-rising car chases, and even the intelligent use of subtitles, every aspect is carefully planned and choreographed for particular emphasis.

But the film really concentrates on the characters themselves, playing more like a drama than a big-budget effects laden movie and adding an essential quality.

Slight ambiguities on the rules of the Night Watch world and a runtime of over two hours aside, Day Watch is still incredibly accessible with very few obvious cultural differences that could threaten the understanding of the film for an international audience.

7/10 - A cult fantasy thriller with plenty of bite.