The Good:
Fantastic overall cast.
Brilliant effects.
The subtitles were done in an amazingly artsy way that made them BECOME part of the film, instead of just running along the bottom and making you miss things. I wish more movies could pull this off.
Konstantin Khabensky was very, very good. He was totally believable as this formerly normal person who is just sucked into a world of weird one day and expected to deal.
Zavulon is deliciously evil - while still eliciting sympathy. A perfectly crafted villain.
Olga's transformation sequence is wonderfully done. Again - whoever does their effects is very good at what they do.
The execution of the stark contrast between the light and the dark was masterful - and yet the film still managed to allow you to see that everything was rooted in the same gray mire.
The Bad:
Svetlana. I understand she has a part to play but she was so boring and trite and a predictable mire in what was otherwise a standout film.
That disturbing little doll/spider thing that was reminiscent of the freak kids creations in Toy Story. It was upsetting - but it was probably supposed to be.
All in all:
Five Stars. See it - love it - then see the sequel and love it a bit less.
