Tue 10 Mar 2009
My workplace offered me free tickets to the Watchmen movie on opening night. I have been avoiding the graphic novel ever since the movie was announced simply because everyone I know who’s read it kept harping about how it’s impossible to adapt it to the big screen. I decided that I’d rather watch the movie without reading the comics before hand so that I can evaluate it as a stand-alone product and not as a movie adaptation.
Early reviews started pouring into metacritic and I was disappointed to see all of the low scores the movie was getting. I went in expecting a colossal flop and was pleasantly surprised by a movie that does the comic/super hero genre justice! If you’re looking for cheap thrills and a typically spoon-fed plot like the Spider-Man or Fantastic Four movies then look elsewhere.
I’m by no means saying that the movie wasn’t flawed. It’s true that the acting left much to be desired during some scenes, but most of the time it was adequate. Still, this was without a doubt the film’s worst part. Other criticisms include the over-abundance of Mr Manhattan’s privates appearing on screen. It’s true that this movie has a lot of mature subject matter but I would have been way more inclined to take my little brother to it (for example) had it been more censored. The nudity was largely un-needed anyway.
Once I accepted those flaws I fell in love with the dialog, characters, and overall plot. The movie is extremely entertaining due to it’s dialog with characters spewing out quote-worthy one-liners throughout! The amount of dialog did not make the movie long for nothing, in fact when the movie was over I couldn’t believe 2 hours and 40 minutes had gone by so quickly! I didn’t feel there was ‘not enough action’ as some had stated. I think most super hero movies have a lot of action because that’s their only selling point and their over-compensating for weak plots and shallow characters. Watchmen has just the right amount of fights and explosions thank you very much.
The characters did not fall into cookie cutter “good guy” or “bad guy” molds either, everyone was really a different shade of gray. Like everyone else, my favorite character was Rorschach for his quick wit and unshakable belief in his ideals. Doctor Manhattan’s mental evolution and correlated emotional devolution, the Comedian’s near complete apathy to everything but his own desires, and Ozymandias’ bitter-sweet plans for saving the world really make you switch from loving to hating the characters in a blink of an eye. Most importantly, the plot forces you to see things from the characters’ point of views and you can’t help but question your own ideals in the process.
Overall, although I did love the movie, I have a hard time recommending it. The plot is a little too cerebral for some, especially self-proclaimed action junkies (dumb jocks).This is not your mom and dad’s superhero movie so beware. If you love deep characters, great plots, and have the ability to temporarily suspend your disbelief then Watchmen is for you!
Related posts:
- Movie Review: Bee Movie
- Movie Review: 3:10 to Yuma
- Movie Review: Grumpy Old Men
- Movie Review: Ratatouille
- The Punisher: War Zone movie trailer
March 10th, 2009 at 09:33
Agreed!
March 10th, 2009 at 17:52
As a true Watchmen comic fan, I didn’t even dislike Snyder’s movie. I was captivated, waiting to see how he would pull off many of the things that made Watchmen a transcendent comic. I must say, aside from certain aspects that were clearly “Hollywooded” up, he remained faithful, dropping or altering a few scenes to make the story more palatable for the big screen.
A true fan
March 23rd, 2009 at 13:18
If they only gave the blue dude some clothes it woulda been a lot better. Not sure what kind of fetish that is but I’m not buyin.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:27
The acting was sooooooooooooooooo bad though. Honestly, couldn’t they find another hot chick who can act?
March 26th, 2009 at 09:42
Personally I didnt think the acting was so bad. I have seen worse in a lot of recent movie. The costumes were better than the ones in the books though, that was the best part.
March 31st, 2009 at 16:41
It was an amazing movie. I haven’t read the comic, because everyone who did and saw the movie told me it was soo bad and everything, so to have a clear mind like the blogger, I just went without knowing anything
The story was really good, I think it was a bit on fast foward toward the end as if they wanted to finish the movie, but I was captivated for the whole movie, I barely finished my drink!
The blogger covered mostly everything I liked and that movie really made me think of what would’ve I had done if I was them.
However I don’t suggest this movie to childens as there was a lot of very ‘crude’ scenes
It was awesome.