Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Cast: Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir Menshov, Dmitry Martynov

Ha ha, I know a number of people on this board does not like the film. But frankly, I actually enjoy it (as a commercially entertaining film!)

PLUS the fact that I finally had the opportunity to watch it on a big screen, 
PLUS the fact that my review vanished with the "old" foreignfilms.com, 
... I have decided to write a totally new review again!

This film represented Russia in Oscar Academy Awards 2005.
see the official English website here ...
www2.foxsearchlight.com/nwnd

What I like ...
-- Technically, I thought the visuals are stylish! For its effort, I commend it ... and if I am correct, nearly the entire special effects team (or is it all?) are from Russia!

-- I do find some "messages"
(i) predictably, day and night are used to symbolize good and evil 
... what a nice philosophical line, " For it is easier to kill the Light within oneself, than to scatter the Darkness around ... "
... another line, " Ah, the Light mage with a Dark past has come " ... Doesn't everyone has some hidden past, albeit big or small? ... Can one atone for his past? ... Can the past be erased? ...
(ii) the film also highlights the *choices* in life ... and the consequences that one often has to bear ... Yup, people often like to think that they can handle the consequences ... it is only till the end that they realize the "chain of events" (and everything is intertwined) or the "dire consequences" or the "regrets" in life ... sigh ...

-- I also find several roles crafted to be rather "thought provoking" (with cryptic intentions) ... hmmm, but should I credit the original novel or movie? ha ha ha
(i) the kid ... I especially like the ending ... when the kid chose to leave the father ... sob sob ... does it have a social commentary (on abortion) as well?! ... 
(ii) the cursed woman ... (hmmm, usually we like to think that others curse her ... but guess what, she cursed herself ...) ... hmmm, thought provoking ... it is rather sad, everything she nears becomes unlucky ... well, in society, some people actually believe that they bring about bad luck, and degenerates into pessimism ... can you imagine when she wished her old female neighbor "good health", the old lady eventually died; when she called her son to inform him about it, the power plant exploded to cause the city to plunge into darkness ... 
(iii) the father ... about choices in life, about bearing consequences ... moral of the story?!

What could be better ...
-- Some who like "classic" Russian films may find this too "Hollywood" style ...
-- Some may find insufficient character development too ...

Conclusion:
If you enjoy a special effects film, or want a different taste of Russian films, go watch it! Frankly, I am anticipating the second and third series in the trilogy ... Day Watch and Dusk Watch!