Review of Watchmen (2009) by Antwon B — 02 Feb 2015

The Watchmen is a 2009 superhero flick written by Allen Moore and Directed by Zack Synder of 300 and The Man of Steel fame. It's based on the successful 1987 graphic novel written by Allen Moore.

For many years several film companies attempted to make these novels into a major motion picture. All failed. The conclusion was that the Watchmen is a story that's un-filmable, leaving the project in development Hell for many years. Enter Zack Snyder. Snyder proved that he could adapt the story to film, considering that he already had a major success with the comic book adaptation of the 300 film. The 300 film was a page by page adaptation of the Frank Miller graphic novel. And with the exception of the ending to Snyder's film, the Watchmen is also a page by page adaptation of the Allen Moore novel. I think that the Watchmen movie conclusion was better than the graphic novel.

The Watchmen takes place in 1985, during the height of the cold war with the Soviet Union. It's an alternate universe because Nixon is still president. During the 1930's because of rapid crime, a superheroe team called the Minute Men were created. They kicked ass and improved society. Years later during the Vietnam war, Dr Manhattan a Superman figure helped Richard Nixon win the war giving the U.S. an advantage over the Soviet Union. Anti-vigilante sentiment starts to grow in the country causing all masked vigilantes to be outlawed. In this case, some heroes like the Comedian, who's like an wicked Captain America. And Dr Manhattan are proxies for the government. And others like the mysterious Rorschach continues to fight crime regardless. Rorschach eventually discoverers that there is a conspiracy to kill costume heroes after one of the Watchmen is assassinated.

This film is fantastic! The fight scenes are well stage and Chris Nolan from the Darknight series could've learned from Snyder how to frame a fight on film. Snyder wanted younger actors because it was easier to make them look older in the later scenes. Actor Thomas Jane from the Punisher was invited to appear in the film, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts. Snyder's son had a small roll in the film as a young Rorschach. Rorschach masked is based on the Rorschach ink blot test. And in the film just like the comics, the ink blots on Rorschachs mask are constantly in motion.

Because of the nearly 3 hour run time, stuff that was filmed but wasn't included because of time constraints went to the cutting room floor. Fortunately these clips are now added to the Watchmen ultimate edition directors cut. And it makes the film even more watchable. However it's run time now is well over 3 hours so be prepared to stay in.

The film was made with a budget of $135 million. The film opened at $55 million and it went on to gross $185 million world wide. It's a paltry amount considering that the 300 grossed $456 million. The Watchmen is considered a failure. The critical reviews were very polarizing. Some people hated the broad color palette of the visuals and the stylized violence. While others liked it for the very same reasons. Personally I think that the Watchmen ultimately will go down as one of the greatest superheroe films of all time like the graphic novel. I believe that history will be kind to this film.

Be advised, Dr Manhattan is an evolved character and he finds very little need to wear clothing. There are many scenes of Dr Manhattan's blue schlonge dangling in front of you. Some people found this very offensive. He's presented this way as well in the comics.

One of the best comic book adaption's. I enjoyed the ending in the film more than the comic.