Watchmen

Rating:  

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Matthew Goode

Plot Synopsis:

A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.

As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen? (Trailer Addict)

Review:

With the sort of reputation and scope of Alan Moore‘s epic graphic novel, Watchmen, one can imagine the strong reaction and expectation fans have given Zack Snyder‘s film adaptation.  In fact, there was such hype that I believe there was no way Zack Snyder could deliver on everyone’s expectations with the film version of Watchmen.  Just look at the reviews.  Main criticisms included: confusing plot, strange song selection for key scenes, superhero sex and a blue penis.  Granted, this is a complex plot.  But song choice, sex and a blue penis are not what I was focused on.  Critics are a strange breed.

I am not a critic.  Nor am I a uber-geek when it comes to the graphic novel.  I’ve read it and enjoyed it immensly.  But, it’s not the end-all-be-all graphic novel for me.  So I was able to go into this movie and appreciate it as a seperate form of entertainment.  A beautiful, engaging, exciting and complex film that turns the superhero movie on it’s head.  This is not The Dark Knight nor Spiderman.  Watchmen is a truly unique vision that asks important questions and tries our patience at times, however this is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time.

Zack Snyder had a unique balancing act to perform when taking on this movie.  He had to balance cinematic vision with the expectations and the weight that comes along with a project like this.  Aiming to please the fans, non-fans and a cynical author.  However, you can’t please them all.  And that’s where I feel Zack Snyder has succeeded.  Watchmen is a movie that can stand on it’s own, but is definitely more enjoyable as a whole for someone who has read the graphic novel.

The performances are really strong.  A lot of critics were brutal when it came to the acting.  Maybe I’m not as jaded or educated as these critics, but I thought every actor brought what was needed to the table.  There were a few stand outs, though.

Jackie Earle Haley was perfect as Rorschach.  His performance was so pitch perfect, he is easily the most memorable character of the movie.  Acting through a mask for 90% of the movie, you totally get the angst and determination of the character.  Pretty astounding when you think that Jackie Earle Haley had to convey all his emotion through body language.

Other notable performances were Patrick Wilson as Night Owl II, Billy Crudup as the god-like Dr. Manhatten and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian.  These performances went above any expectation I had.  Other performances in the movie were good as well, just not as memorable as these stand outs.  I think certain characters suffered as the results of cuts that had to be made.  Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II and Matthew Goode as Ozymandias were good, but I had the feeling there were pieces to their characters that were missing.  We’ll have to see how the Director’s Cut plays out.

Overall, Watchmen is the first great movie of 2009.  It’s not a movie that’s made for mass consumption.  Those expecting The Dark Knight or Spiderman will probably be disappointed.  There are a lot of ideas and layers to this movie that will take multiple viewings to fully understand.  If you want to get the most out of Watchmen, read the graphic novel first and watch the film as a “companion piece.” There are things that had to be changed or left out to bring this to the screen, but all that is a non issue for me.

Zack Snyder has brought us a movie that will only get better with time, a visually stunning and memorable film that honors the graphic novel.  Truly one of the best adaptations from book to film I’ve ever seen.  Highly recommended.

Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.