Watchmen film review

[mr.jameswoods]

I read the graphic novel before seeing the film so I was a fan of Watchmen before seeing the movie. However, if you are not a comic book fan, I would say wait until it comes out on DVD. It was really long and they didn't do a very good job explaining some of the backstory and detail. I know that if I didn't read the graphic novel, I would have been confused at times. They also left out some details like failing to explain the intrinsic field concept during Dr. Manhattan's origin. And of course, they changed the ending but they didn't alter it in such a way as to take away the main premise or theme of the ending in the graphic novel. Also, the acting is mixed. Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan were amazing. Ozymandias was horribly cast and the actor speaks with such a thick accent and wasn't displayed as the liberal pacifist that he is depicted in the comic. Nonetheless, I think most people didn't take the warnings seriously when they said it wasn't a typical comic book film and peopel expected Iron Man or the Dark Knight and realized this film is on a different level.

 

[tomson75]

That's pretty much on par with what a friend of mine said. He was mildly disappointed....but mostly due to high expectations. I still might go check it out though.

 

[Jon88]

It looks like a cheesey movie from the previews.

 

[mr.jameswoods]

It looks like a cheesey movie from the previews.

If you actually watched and understand the film, cheesy is about the furthest thing Watchmen is. There are so many different powerful themes in the film but again, it requires patience. This isn't a typical popcorn comic book film and if you don't know anything about it, you will think it's incredibly lame because you won't understand it's themes.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

are the themes that really hard to understand?

 

[lewpac]

What's the difference between a novel and a "graphic" novel?

 

[tomson75]

are the themes that really hard to understand?

I think don't so.

 

[kmp77]

I thought it was pretty awesome. Rorschach was perfect. Even at over 2hrs long...it could have been longer to set explain things further.

And no, it's not your typical superhero movie. It pushes the boundaries. The movie is really gory too and and has the most blue "wang" footage of any movie to date.

 

[peplaw06]

What's the difference between a novel and a "graphic" novel?

Graphic novel = Long comic book

or a novel with lots and lots of pictures..... my kind of novel.

 

[DemonBlood]

Can't wait for the director cut. Almost 4 hours long and with the Black Freighter inserted. More Hollis and news stand dude.

 

[lewpac]

Graphic novel = Long comic book

or a novel with lots and lots of pictures..... my kind of novel.

OH............

I took it as more like "I'm a big fan, so ANYTHING story written about that which I like is not "just a story" or a novel. Because it's a big deal to ME, then it's a GRAPHIC novel....."

I think that most Pulitzer Prize winning Novelist's would be a little disappointed in any comic book being described as a "graphic novel". I've read everything and anything having to do with Batman. My wife bought me the COMPLETE Batman Collection going back to 1938, but I never considered this collection as a anything more than great DC comic stuff.

Anyway, from what I gather since it came out, the reviews of WatchMen has been a little less than what most expected. Especially from those who know something about it. I never heard of WatchMen until I started seeing the trailers @ the movies over the summer. It looked like something I'd want to see for sure. But most of the folks who have read the "graphic novel" and were fans of WatchMen are not very happy about the movie, again, from what I gather...................

I'm STILL going to go see it though.

 

[Doomsday]

I thought it was kind of boring, almost like a documentary or something.

 

[SultanOfSix]

I thought it wasn't that good at all. Yes, it was very aesthetically appealing, but it was a snooze fest, with moments of soft-core porn.

I only liked Rorschach and the fight sequences. Otherwise, it was just an abysmal nihilistic social commentary. It was so anti-climactic in how supposedly the smartest, most powerful person in the universe finds an epiphany of meaning in the consequence of a rape.

 

[vta]

I thought it was kind of boring, almost like a documentary or something.

I thought it wasn't that good at all. Yes, it was very aesthetically appealing, but it was a snooze fest, with moments of soft-core porn.

I only liked Rorschach and the fight sequences. Otherwise, it was just an abysmal nihilistic social commentary. It was so anti-climactic in how supposedly the smartest, most powerful person in the universe finds an epiphany of meaning in the consequence of a rape.

Wow. I'm surprised at some of these comments, especially yours Sultan.
I haven't seen it yet, but I read the novel about 20 years ago and remember really liking it. Rorschach is the most memorable thing about it for me, so I'm not surprised to hear you say that.

I honestly don't remember if the novel is the way you described the movie, (nihilistic social commentary). Maybe when I read it, my head was in a different place socially. Did you read the novel?

 

[DemonBlood]

I thought it wasn't that good at all. Yes, it was very aesthetically appealing, but it was a snooze fest, with moments of soft-core porn.

I only liked Rorschach and the fight sequences. Otherwise, it was just an abysmal nihilistic social commentary. It was so anti-climactic in how supposedly the smartest, most powerful person in the universe finds an epiphany of meaning in the consequence of a rape.

Maybe you should have read up on what you were about to watch before seeing the film. Watchmen is not a popcorn superhero story and it seems you thought it was going to be one. It's not the movies fault you thought you payed to watch X-Men.

 

[MrMom]

Disappointed due to high expectations and being a fan of the GN. Very wooden acting in parts, the old age makeup was pretty horrid (especially Nixon's), everytime they cut to Nixon and his circle of trust that just really took me out of the movie, I felt no emotional oomph to anything that was going on (minus Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan's scene toward the end), lines that weren't supposed to be funny came off very campy, horrible soundtrack (yes, i know snyder used songs directly from the GN, but it just didn't fit, especially 99 luft balloons). I was bored at times and that never happened to me while reading the GN. And I definitely wasn't a fan of the revised ending.


As for the positives...I thought Patrick Wilson nailed Dreiberg, Jackie Earle Haley was Rorschach, CG Doc Manhattan was amazing and I liked how Crudup voiced him, the opening credits were excellent, I enjoyed the backstory of Dr. Manhattan.

My initial feeling was a two star movie. I'll wait to pass total judgment until the ultimate DVD comes out in Dec. It's going to incorporate the extended footage as well as the Tales of The Black Freighter story.

 

[Cochese]

I cant wait to see this, even though I know they fudged the ending.

The Watchmen is classic.

 

[MrMom]

I read the graphic novel before seeing the film so I was a fan of Watchmen before seeing the movie. However, if you are not a comic book fan, I would say wait until it comes out on DVD. It was really long and they didn't do a very good job explaining some of the backstory and detail. I know that if I didn't read the graphic novel, I would have been confused at times. They also left out some details like failing to explain the intrinsic field concept during Dr. Manhattan's origin. And of course, they changed the ending but they didn't alter it in such a way as to take away the main premise or theme of the ending in the graphic novel. Also, the acting is mixed. Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan were amazing. Ozymandias was horribly cast and the actor speaks with such a thick accent and wasn't displayed as the liberal pacifist that he is depicted in the comic. Nonetheless, I think most people didn't take the warnings seriously when they said it wasn't a typical comic book film and peopel expected Iron Man or the Dark Knight and realized this film is on a different level.

Goode stated he thought he'd give Ozy a subtle German accent, but I agree with you. It was too thick. I could've done with a different Laurie, as well. Someone with a little bit more age.

 

[DemonBlood]

Disappointed due to high expectations and being a fan of the GN. Very wooden acting in parts, the old age makeup was pretty horrid (especially Nixon's), everytime they cut to Nixon and his circle of trust that just really took me out of the movie, I felt no emotional oomph to anything that was going on (minus Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan's scene toward the end), lines that weren't supposed to be funny came off very campy, horrible soundtrack (yes, i know snyder used songs directly from the GN, but it just didn't fit, especially 99 luft balloons). I was bored at times and that never happened to me while reading the GN. And I definitely wasn't a fan of the revised ending.


As for the positives...I thought Patrick Wilson nailed Dreiberg, Jackie Earle Haley was Rorschach, CG Doc Manhattan was amazing and I liked how Crudup voiced him, the opening credits were excellent, I enjoyed the backstory of Dr. Manhattan.

My initial feeling was a two star movie. I'll wait to pass total judgment until the ultimate DVD comes out in Dec. It's going to incorporate the extended footage as well as the Tales of The Black Freighter story.

I think the makeup was intentionally bad. It was taking jabs at superhero movies makeup sort of like the GN was taking jabs at comics. I'm with you on the ultimate dvd though.

 

[Aikmaniac]

Just saw it tonight.

As with some of you, I had not heard of Watchmen until the trailers. After almost three hours, I still can't figure out how these people got their powers save Dr. Manhatten.

How was the smartest man in the world so fast? How was Rorschak's mask changing? Is this explained in the novel?

In my opinion, I really think it could've been broken down into two films. One following the 40's versions of the superheroes, and the second following the 80's versions. Of course, maybe I'm totally missing the boat anyway.

The fight scenes were excellent...and I'm really happy they didn't show the sausage of Dr. Manhatten when he was 200 ft. tall. Thanks Snyder!