Azazel

the book might be good, but the movie is quite disappointing.

the acting is really bad. especially the main character is really annoying. since the movie was too long, there was almost no suspense for a detective story. sometimes it looks like a comedy, but unfortunately a bad one. the story is quite predictable. all in all, it is a waste of time. if you want to see a well done russian detective story, watch the old episodes of "adventures of sherlock homes".

this film is really fantastic! Firstfully I have to say that the novel is written by Georgian writer not Russian, so it is the main reason ,why this film is so fascinating. this is very good story about Masons, and it is really interesting. I like acting in this film, especially the actor Basilashvili, he acts professionally , and of course he is Georgian not Russian. I think it's a good drama combined with detective plot. the end of the film is amazing, maybe the film is a bit long to see it ,when i saw it , I was really excited.So I want to add that this is the best Russian film, I have ever seen, and advise all film fans to see it ,they will enjoy it very much, but when they will see, they must foresee that without Georgian writer and actors this film would'Nat exist.

The book is excellent, no question, but, unfortunately, the movie is not as good. Noskov's (Fandorin) acting is not convincing and his voice sounds really strange at times. Brilling is a typical Andrey Mironov type, and it looks like Bezrukov tries to imitate his acting. The best of all is Neelova (Lady Ester): her acting is way above everybody else's. Overall, the movie feels a little bit raw, as if made in a hurry: some parts are good, some are bad. So it's not like old-time classics, but still worth seeing.

There is a usual disappointment when someone reads an ingenious work of a writer and watches the film of it after even though the screenplay is written by the writer. You feel it in this one too. Mise-en-scene and cinematography is proper, however acting of some of the actors might be much better especially the main interesting character Fandorin had to have the best acting but unfortunately he has not. The music was missing in some parts of the movie. There should have been less cuts. And the important moments should have been emphasized. Overall it is a very interesting detective to watch, but it could have been done better by Aleksandr Abadashyan.

Investigating a trivial suicide, young detective runs into a worldwide conspiracy... The plot unfolds steadily during the whole movie, and you would never guess who pulls the strings. The cast is top notch. Non an Oscar class, but still a very entertaining and well directed movie.

I would just like to invite visitors to see pictures from the movie and watch a detailed trailer at RussArt.com.

Pictures: http://russart.com/?moviepictures&mid=38

Trailer: http://russart.com/?movietrailer&mid=38

Those who read Russian can find more materials useful: press articles, reviews, etc.