Review of Watchmen (2001) by Magnus G — 03 Oct 2014

Watchmen is one of the most severely underrated films I've seen and is one of my top 10 favourite films ever. Adapting Alan Moore's revered cult graphic novel wouldn't have been an easy task considering the seeming 'unfilmable' nature of the story.

However, Zack Snyder amazingly delivered with it. The film is longer than most superhero films (though it's the same length as The Dark Knight Rises) but that's acceptable because of the lengthy story and each of the central characters are fully realised and the actors all fit their roles.

Jackie Earle Haley is the standout as Rorschach with his menacing growl and subtle tenderness underneath the threatening persona. However, the other actors all do phenomenal work like Billy Crudup as the mystical Dr Manhattan and Matthew Goode as Ozymandias.

The visuals compliment the tone greatly and feel like the comic book has come to life fully on the big screen. As this was the first big budget superhero film to be given an 18 rating, there is tonnes of violence and gritty subject matter which makes it stand out from most comic book films and feels like something innovative for our time.

Even The Dark Knight feels tame by comparison. You may either love or hate this film but you sure can't deny that it's ambitious and definitely brings something new to the world of costumed heroes.