When the Internet started buzzing about a film adaptation of the famed graphic novel Watchmen, I wasn’t totally excited because I’ve never even heard of it. But after seeing the official teaser trailer, I was immediately hooked. Not because of the cool looking blue guy or the Batman looking wannabe, but it was the line spoken at the end ” the world will look up and shout save us, and I’ll whisper no.”
My curiosity led me to an alternate reality set in the year 1985, where President Nixon has served multiple consecutive terms, the U.S. has won the Vietnam war and superheroes exist. The Cold War turns real bitter as the U.S.S.R races to stockpile as much nuclear weapons for an inevitable showdown with the U.S. The Doomsday Clock is set at 5 minutes to midnight, inching closer to worldwide destruction. After reading the closing lines of Alan Moore’s masterpiece, I became an immediate fan. My expectations were at an all time high entering the theater, and based on the numerous TV spots and trailers I was optimistic of the end result. Did Zack Snyder’s film live up to the hype?
The story begins with the brutal murder of Eddie Blake a.k.a. the Comedian, a former Watchmen. Walter Kovacs a.k.a. Rorschach, a former comrade of the Comedian investigates his murder and believes to have uncovered a plot to kill “masks” or former superheroes. Rorschach sets about warning his former colleagues, who assist him with finding the “mask killer”.
I have to commend Zack Snyder for practically putting his career on the line with this adaptation. While Snyder did indeed stay true to the source material with a little bit of tweaking of the finale, which by the way does not affect the outcome of the story, I was disappointed. It’s no easy task to take a story with so much detail and cram it into a 2 hour 45 min movie hoping the audience and fans of the graphic novel will walk away astounded. Newbies will no doubt be a little lost and confused with some of the sequences as Snyder cut out some moments that I felt should’ve been included, which would help the audience follow the story easier. Throw in the horrible soundtrack and you have the makings of a bad movie, right? Not entirely.
While Watchmen fails to deliver it’s message as well as the source material did, there are a number of reasons to spend your hard earned $8.25. First, it is a visual feast. Zack Snyder has certainly established his trademark “slow-mo” action to perfection with his ultra-violent fight sequences. While it’s nothing new to see bones breaking through flesh, it’s the way Snyder angles his shots that make the sequences so beautiful. Strong performances by Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the Comedian, should also be reason enough to see Watchmen. If you thought the late Heath Ledger was awesome as the Joker, wait till you see what Haley brings to the table.
Watchmen is good, but not perfect. While it definitely has its pros and cons, the movie is enjoyable enough to spark further interest for those wanting a better explanation of the plot and more back story of the characters as the movie is seriously lacking character development and major details integral to the story that was left out of the movie. In closing, Watchmen is a movie for the ages as it focuses on various political themes and moral ambiguity. So whether you’ve been a super fan or just curious to see some superheroes, Watchmen delivers. Just be sure to leave the kids at home, unless you’re comfortable with a blue penis in constant display.
Great review Choco. I’ve heard alot of mixed reactions on this film, but I think I may just have to see it for myself. You still need to do a review on Street Fighter! Lousy movies need to be reviewed to save others from misery! I’d like to hear your perspective!!!
Wow Trench, I’m surprised you haven’t seen it yet.
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work has been killing me man. I haven’t been in the theaters in almost two months! I plan to catch up alot over the summer break though. Just a couple more months away!
Thanks Trench, I’ll get started on the SF review soon. Work’s been real hectic lately. But you should give Watchmen a try. I honestly think it’s a win-win situation. You may not like the movie, but the story itself is reason enough to read the graphic novel. There are a million things I want to say about the movie but it involves *SPOILERS* and that wouldn’t be cool. I think CRS is gonna do a write up also and he’ll touch base on some things I might’ve left out.
yeah, that will be cool. I’ll do one myself if I get the chance to see it this weekend.
Not sure if I’ll ever be able to make myself watch Street Fighter, but Watchmen comes to VN next week. I’m ready to see it- I did like the comic a lot, though I haven’t been super excited to see the moviet.
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Great review choco. I agree with everything said except for the part about the ending. I’ve actually read the graphic novel countless times so I’ve had alot of time to mull over the original ending and its implications. Also I agree that this movie is not very noob friendly at all and if this is your first exposure to the Watchmen, it can be a bit overwhelming and almost a turn off. Ill try to get a review of my own up on this one too. Nice work.
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@CRS, thanks man can’t wait to hear your input. The ending was okay, but it was the experience as a whole that I was disappointed in. I was really curious to see how they’ll incorporate the Black Freighter but…ya you know where I’m getting at. I have to see it again because I was being too much of a critic than a fan the first time. X’ing my fingers for the DC release in July!
I’ve watched it over here in Malaysia and I did not get to see any blue penis on the big screen. -_-
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blue what? LOL?
A blue penis in constant display? Really . . . That makes me wanna go and see it! LOL
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I watched this again last night on DVD and it is much better the second time through. I picked up so many clues I didn’t notice the first time. There are so many little details thrown in there, for instance picking out Rorshach in a crowd without his mask. For some reason the movie is a lot more enjoyable the more you watch it. Can’t wait for the blu ray to come out.
picked this one up today as well as push. I’ll see what I think of it later tonight.
Can’t wait to hear your input Trench. Waiting for the Blu-Ray DR to come out so I can have my 2nd go around.
Wish I had a Blue Ray Player… Im cool though with my DVDs until they go obsolete though. Prices are nice now too… haha. Yeah, I’ll post some input soon on this. Haven’t had time to sit down through it.
THIS WAS THE LONGEST………………….MOST HORRIBLE………….MOVIE……………..DRAWN……………OUT………….DUMB………………WAIST OF 2HOURS AND 45 MIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
@Becky. I’m curious, what exactly did you find horrible about it?
I’m wondering this too. I get that the movie isn’t for everyone, but at the very least you should be able to appreciate the incredible imagery and special effects.
I watched it on DVD today. I thought it was decent. It dragged alot but you can appreciate the effort they put into making the film. Big blue chili was ALL OUT! haha