Review of Watchmen (2009) by Brad H — 09 May 2013

Watchmen's spectacle, depth and quality is only matched by its inaccessibility (as it follows its strict and unforgiving source material very closely), probably explaining its undeservedly low ratings.

Without hesitation it raises lots of big questions about human nature and its tendancy to be violent, sadistic, destructive and ultimately hopeless without some kind of major intervention, as well as raising ideas of morality, war and religion.

It takes the heady graphic novel's source material and creates a very accurate and yet satisfying film experience. One which demands that you put the effort in to open your mind, absorb, and think. I've never been able to grasp what it is that stops me enjoying super hero films as much as others, now I know; they are fundamentally childish. Watchmen is not, it is a Super Hero film for adults. This is not a brain dead summer blockbuster, its intelligent, tough and demands you put the effort in to not only understand it but enjoy it.

Carefully altered for cinematic viewing, it keeps the majority of its huge story without compromising on time (or its trademark violence), meaning it rolls in at nearly 3 hours. I barely notice the time go by. A few minor cuts of plot and a major change to the ending keep the film as appealing as its going to get for Joe Public. It seems to be common opinion that if you are not already familiar with the graphic novel you won't enjoy this, but I only got around to the novel after seeing Watchmen several times- its a lie, you do not need to know the graphic novel to get this film, although you may find yourself flicking through it at the bookstore afterwards.

This is simply the greatest Super Hero movie ever made, pure and simple. I don't normally gush over a film, Super Hero films especially, but this one really has to be seen to be believed.