Watchmen (2009)
I'm a reader of comic books since I was a kid, but it wasn't until about 7 or 8 years ago that I actually sat down and read Watchmen for a graphic novel class. I didn't know what I was going to get into to, but I was hooked after the first chapter.
The story takes place in an alternate 1985 in which super-heros are real. Nixon, in his third term, has outlawed them. The Cold War with the Russians has everyone on edge over the seemingly inevitable nuclear holocaust. The ex-masked hero, The Comedian, is murdered. Fellow masked avenger Rorschach, a neo-conservative nutjob, think there's much more to it. Maybe someone's attempting to take out all of the heroes so they can't stop the end of the world.
Meanwhile, the superhuman Dr. Manhattan struggles to understand human nature as he becomes complete disconnected from the rest of the world. Other ex-team members, Night Owl and Silk Spectre are reminense on the "good 'ol days." All of their lives intertwine in this mystery that could lead to the end of mankind.
I haven't read the graphic novel for a couple of years and purposely stayed away from it before watching the film. I know some changes had to be made since it's a retelling in a different medium and I welcomed it. I didn't go into biased as I am a fan of Zack Snyder's work (300 and Dawn of the Dead remake) and I don't believe anythings "unfilmable."
A lot is missing from the graphic novel obviously (the Watchmen Motion Comic clocks in at 6 hours) most notably The Black Freighter segments which is set for release later this month as a seperate animated movie.
So what I'd think of it?
I really, really liked it. I thought adaption was fantastic. Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) was the perfect choice for Rorschach and he is portrayed exactly how I imagined him. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Grey's Anatomy) as Eddie Blake A.K.A. The Comedian was also very good. Everyone was great for the exception of Malin Akerman who was by far the weakest link in the cast.
I'm interested in how many parents this film pissed off. I'm fully aware of parents in the world that have no clue what a rating system is; movies or videogames. Why have so many 7 year-olds played the Grand Theft Auto series? Watchmen contains a "thrusting" sex scene and some very graphic violence (there's nothing like Dr. Manhattan splattering a gangster leaving only their guts and skeletal remains hanging from the ceiling.)
Yes, the movie has a "new" ending. It's pretty much the same as the graphic novel with only a slight change which I didn't mind at all. In fact, I thought it worked much better in the film than the original ending would have. I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with it unless they are just competely narrow-minded.
It's quite an experience. It's the single most overwhelming film experience I've ever had. Not just the visuals, but the entire logic behind it. That's how I felt the first time I read the graphic novel. I need to watch it a few more times for it to really sink in.
It's a very deep, complex film just as the graphic novel is. It may not be what a lot of people expect (I call it the Gone, Baby, Gone of comic book films.) I only had problems with some of the acting and odd musical choices, but as an adaption or a stand-alone films, it's fantastic. I can't wait to see the director's cut.
The story takes place in an alternate 1985 in which super-heros are real. Nixon, in his third term, has outlawed them. The Cold War with the Russians has everyone on edge over the seemingly inevitable nuclear holocaust. The ex-masked hero, The Comedian, is murdered. Fellow masked avenger Rorschach, a neo-conservative nutjob, think there's much more to it. Maybe someone's attempting to take out all of the heroes so they can't stop the end of the world.
Meanwhile, the superhuman Dr. Manhattan struggles to understand human nature as he becomes complete disconnected from the rest of the world. Other ex-team members, Night Owl and Silk Spectre are reminense on the "good 'ol days." All of their lives intertwine in this mystery that could lead to the end of mankind.
I haven't read the graphic novel for a couple of years and purposely stayed away from it before watching the film. I know some changes had to be made since it's a retelling in a different medium and I welcomed it. I didn't go into biased as I am a fan of Zack Snyder's work (300 and Dawn of the Dead remake) and I don't believe anythings "unfilmable."
A lot is missing from the graphic novel obviously (the Watchmen Motion Comic clocks in at 6 hours) most notably The Black Freighter segments which is set for release later this month as a seperate animated movie.
So what I'd think of it?
I really, really liked it. I thought adaption was fantastic. Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) was the perfect choice for Rorschach and he is portrayed exactly how I imagined him. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Grey's Anatomy) as Eddie Blake A.K.A. The Comedian was also very good. Everyone was great for the exception of Malin Akerman who was by far the weakest link in the cast.
I'm interested in how many parents this film pissed off. I'm fully aware of parents in the world that have no clue what a rating system is; movies or videogames. Why have so many 7 year-olds played the Grand Theft Auto series? Watchmen contains a "thrusting" sex scene and some very graphic violence (there's nothing like Dr. Manhattan splattering a gangster leaving only their guts and skeletal remains hanging from the ceiling.)
Yes, the movie has a "new" ending. It's pretty much the same as the graphic novel with only a slight change which I didn't mind at all. In fact, I thought it worked much better in the film than the original ending would have. I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with it unless they are just competely narrow-minded.
It's quite an experience. It's the single most overwhelming film experience I've ever had. Not just the visuals, but the entire logic behind it. That's how I felt the first time I read the graphic novel. I need to watch it a few more times for it to really sink in.
It's a very deep, complex film just as the graphic novel is. It may not be what a lot of people expect (I call it the Gone, Baby, Gone of comic book films.) I only had problems with some of the acting and odd musical choices, but as an adaption or a stand-alone films, it's fantastic. I can't wait to see the director's cut.
Overall Grade:
A
The Good: Fantastic adaption, one of the best comic books films, amazing visuals, Jackie Earle Haley as Rorshach.
The Bad: Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre, odd musical choices, fanboys in general.
The Ugly: Blue penis... actually, all the reviewers who mention blue penis. It's shocking the number of people who are immature or just flat-out insecure. According to reviews, it's 5 foot long and swinging around like a propeller. It's not that noticeable, but if it bothers you: grow the fuck up.
The Bad: Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre, odd musical choices, fanboys in general.
The Ugly: Blue penis... actually, all the reviewers who mention blue penis. It's shocking the number of people who are immature or just flat-out insecure. According to reviews, it's 5 foot long and swinging around like a propeller. It's not that noticeable, but if it bothers you: grow the fuck up.
2 comments:
Personally, I loved the music choice. So much so that I immediately bought the OST (and I never buy CDs anymore). I thought they accurately reflected the time period of the film and some were deeply ironic (esp the ones you barely hear, like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"). The best was Bob Dylan during the opening montage. That was perfect.
Yeah, I loved the music, but some of it felt a bit too much like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." But it's a pretty minor complaint.
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