Watchmen: DVD Review
Comics and films have had a decent enough past. A few of these cross-overs have been brilliant, others have been average but watchable, but some have been dire (see ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’). Luckily, ‘Watchmen’ is in the first category and boy, will it weird you out!
First off, it must be said that this is a very violent movie, perhaps too violent in some cases. Most will not appreciate this, but those of us who have done some research into the comic will know that it adds to the atmosphere; dark, gritty and not at all Saturday morning cartoons in feel. This is definitely an adult film, especially when Dr. Manhattan decides to atomise people.
The story is just as different. The year is 1985 and Nixon is still in office. The Watchmen are a misfit band of heroes who have taken it upon themselves to protect New York, but none of them are the archetypal superman who do this for the greater good. All of them have ulterior motives that are revealed over the course of the film. Some are as normal as it can get in this film, but for others, their stories are almost as horrible as the people they fight.
When one of them is murdered, the Comedian (also one of the coolest anti-heroes ever), the real justice seeker, Rorschach, goes to his friend and former partner, Nite Owl. Starting with a superhero killer theory, all the Watchmen become entangled in a plot that will change the face of the world. Through a complicated set of events, deaths and betrayals, the true conspiracy at hand becomes clear and it is a satisfying conclusion at that. Everything may be be wrapped up very quickly, but the way the film is directed and the way the parts are acted, the film oozes style and flare.
Special mention goes out to Jackie Earl Haley, the actor who portrays Rorschach. He plays the role so well, especially when he is without the mask. The image of a scarred wreck of a man stays with the viewer throughout the rest of the film and his performance overall is one of the highlights of a generally excellent movie. There are so many reasons why this is one of the better comic adaptations; the complexity, the direction (Zack Snyder is on form once again), the philosophy and, of course, the sheer brutality. This is simply stunning.
Thomas Vaughan, 2/10/09
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Comments
I was blown away by the film when I saw it at the cinema. I hadn't read the original comic prior to seeing it, but immediately went away and did so. I loved how each scene within the film captured each frame of the graphic novel so well. It's a shame the film has received such mixed reviews from critics because I honestly thought it was a masterpiece. It's just a shame they ruined what would have been a perfect soundtrack by including My Chemical Romance. Nevermind.
I didnt even notice that song in the film because I was still reeling from the ending, well noticed!
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