|
07
Mar|09
|
|
Let me start by saying this “There is no way to get a graphic novel or comic book film perfect.” – Me. People will always rant and rave about something that was changed. They will say “Oh good lord, did you see what they did to the car?! It looks like a tank now!” or “Why does the suit have nipples? The batsuit isn’t supposed to have nipples!” That being said, I think that Zach Snyder got the feel as close as he possibly could have for the first 3/4 of the film. This statement comes from a die-hard “Watchmen
I have decided not to base my review upon the nature of the graphic novel due to the above realization and simply write it as if I were walking into this as a “Watchmen Virgin”. If that were the case, I would be blown away by it. Zach Snyder has re-created the world of vigilante heroes and villains so well that it is in motion just like a great graphic novel should read. It doesn’t leave the viewer bored or unentertained because like the graphic novel, it is full of information about these heroes and villains, all of which have fatal flaws.
What is so great about “Watchmen” is that it poses ethical questions about the actions of villains. It makes us wonder as viewers if in any way, their actions can be justified. The simple answer is no, the more profound answer is yes. It also questions why often we turn on the people that want to help us grow as a nation, finding any fault possible just to turn these people into an enemy. The heroes live as normal people live. We see what happens when the masks come off and how truly susceptible anyone is to pain, guilt, anguish and mental suffering. They inhabit a fictitious 1985, one in which Nixon is President of the United States for his fifth term. The world has turned on them due to a clause that he passed called the Keane Act which made it illegal to be a masked hero.
The “Doomsday Clock”, which is an indicator of the U.S.’ nuclear tension with Russia is permanently stuck at five minutes to midnight. When one of the original heroes gets killed, Rorshach, the only hero that never gave up looks into things and discovers a conspiracy that affects every hero that ever put on a suit to fight crime. He tells the former heroes about this and they join in his mission and from their on out, it’s a race against time to solve the conspiracy and save not only themselves but the people that gave up on them.
The music for the film was very well done. It had an excellent score for each character and the songs during some of the fight scenes were well done. I also appreciated that when they used mainstream music in the film they opted for music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. No current music in this movie to spoil the time. It helped to add to the overall feel of when it took place.
The cast was amazing. They didn’t go for well known actors. The most notable actor in this film is Billy Crudup in the role of Dr. Manhattan and throughout most of the film, he’s computer animated. The actor that stole the film played Rorshach and is none other than Jackie Earle Haley. Don’t remember him? Don’t worry, I didn’t expect you to. He hasn’t been in much since the original “Bad News Bears” films in which he played the motorbike riding Kelly Leak.
The biggest shocker of the night was seeing a film in which Zach Snyder didn’t rely entirely upon slow motion. “300” bothered me. There, I said it. “Watchmen” had subtle hints of slow motion, aside from an epic prison fight where the effect was ridiculously over-used. I understand the use of it to a point, but when you use it too much it often becomes redundant and takes away from the film itself. Sometimes it even makes people laugh because it becomes overly dramatic.
If I had never read the graphic novel, I would walk out of the theater and recommend this to the world. 3 1/2 stars for those not familiar with the source material.
SOME SPOILERS FOR GRAPHIC NOVEL READERS
If you are a fan of the graphic novel, it has earned 2 1/2 stars. Like I said…you’ve created the world of “Watchmen” so very well. But you messed it up right at the end. I don’t agree with what Zach Snyder said about modern audiences not being able to connect with the original ending. Last gripe…how can you not show “that guy’s” death? His murder is important. Maybe when the Blu-ray director’s cut comes out and he adds in the things that he cut out due to time restraints, my opinion will change.
Last edited: May 30, 2009 @ 03:27 PM, 292 days ago |
|
advertisement
Comment
|
Tom,
Well said. I might just have to go and check it out now. I actually liked the slow motion in 300, but if he had placed a ton of it into this one it would be too much.
~A
Left by Amy on Saturday, March 14 @ 10:23 AM / Permlink