Watchmen – Movie Review
Over the years of 1986 and 1987 two comic stories were published that completely changed the face of the industry. These books were unlike anything that had been seen before them, they were unflinchingly dark, unashamedly adult and most importantly they both transcended their Funny-book origins. Those comics were Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s Watchmen. Both were initially published as mini series’ with Watchmen running for 12 issues and The Dark Knight Returns running over four larger graphic novels. Both were subsequently collected into larger editions and became the Must-read books of that generation of comic fans.
Now 22 years later two films have done the same thing for superhero movies that their namesakes did for their sequential-art forbears. Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight continues to be applauded by both hardcore fans and the general public alike as a proper grown up movie that just happens to have a superhero in it. And with a final bank balance that staggered the imagination it certainly appears that finally superheroes are being taken seriously. It has, however, been largely ignored by the folks who dole out awards; proof that even the incredible amount of cash it has made still isn’t enough yet to buy it legitimacy.
And then there is Watchmen. The film is Zack Snyder’s translation of the un-filmable comic and a piece of cinema that will be, for many, a turning point in the understanding of what constitutes literature. In much the same way that the original comic subverted expectations of what super heroes and super villains did and were, the film subverts the expectation of what a super hero movie is. From the opening montage of super heroic imagery which gradually becomes more seedy and perverted to the ending, which is so morally ambiguous it leaves you unsure of who even won, this is not your average film. This is Art.
Is this the hyperbolic ramblings of a long-time comic book fan? Quite possibly, but this is a film which constantly avoids meeting expectation and goes far beyond what we have experienced in super-hero cinema to date. The super hero movie tropes are all on show here, the latex costumes and cool weaponry all make an appearance, but with each comes an aspect of their meaning. The fetish-like aspects of the costumes are explored, as is the deeply questionable sanity of the people who choose to wear them. The violence we take for granted with superheroes is also brought into stark clarity in the first major fighting set piece of the film. Gone is the cartoon style combat of the Spiderman films, or even the gritty messy style of The Dark Knight. Here a gang of muggers are greeted with arm bones broken through the skin, gutting and shattered necks all in Snyder’s ever so slightly stylised view.
Snyder has given us as faithful a translation of the comic book as is possible. The characters are as broken, unhinged, despicable and aloof as they are on the page and in some cases even more disturbing. Rorschach (played by Jackie Earle Haley from Little Children) is probably the most clearly defined character in both the book and the movie, yet even he is obviously sociopathic at the very least. Dr Manhattan, the films only truly super-powered individual (Billy Crudup from Almost Famous) is becoming progressively more detached from humanity, a problem compounded by his ability to see both past and future events at once. The film’s central love story is a prime example of the adult tone, in that while Patrick Wilson’s character Dan Dreiberg is sexually impotent, his costumed alter ego The Night Owl is capable of a protracted and explicit sex scene.
It was during said scene that it finally became clear that this was not your average super-hero story: there was no cutting away, no avoiding the uncomfortable awkwardness, this was two adults having sex and the only way they could do so was by wearing their rubber costumes. Later horrendous scenes in the prison with an unmasked Rorschach only served to crystallize that. He is at once darkly humorous and in the next second terrifying in his coldly calculating blood-soaked escape plan.
The film looks stunning and manages to maintain the feel of its comic book roots. It uses a similar colour palette and a visual style that is distinctly Zack Snyder yet reminiscent of Dave Gibbon’s original art. Snyder has thus far been seen as a mainly visual director, yet in Watchmen he is given excellent textual material and he rises to the challenge. What is said and heard as well as what is written on the walls, in books and delivered through voice-overs is all essential material to the understanding of the story. There is no wasted space in these shots and no piece of sound or dialogue that is unnecessary.
One aspect that was a constant pleasant surprise was the music that provides a base to many of the films scenes. Bob Dylan’s The Times They are a Changing perfectly captures the feeling of the opening montage and is the start of a musical journey through a turbulent period in history. Iconic songs are used throughout, and though occasionally at odds with the visuals, they provide a counterpoint to the central themes of the scenes. The lack of music in some scenes is also artfully done, with the horrendous violence of some sequences underscored far more effectively with silence than overblown musical stabs.
The film even manages to do some things that many would consider impossible; It makes Dan’s “Owl-ship” totally cool! By the end you really love “Archie” and can’t wait to see him in action again. You’ll feel sympathy for The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) even though he is the most reprehensible character in the film and by the end you may even have a deeper understanding of the central themes of the original graphic novel! Some fans of the book may find the slightly changed ending to be distasteful, but it is in keeping with the tone of the piece and does not change any characters core motivations.
There are admittedly some minor quibbles with the portrayal of Nixon, or more specifically his prosthetic nose, and it is by no means a short film. But Watchmen is something truly special. Is the mainstream audience ready for it? Who can tell? It may prove to be too confronting for many viewers. But then, being forced to grow up is never an easy path to take. Watchmen asks us hard questions about ourselves and gives no easy answers. One thing is certain. It is worth the wait.
An unrestrained Cool Plus.
Many thanks to Rob and Lesley from Network PR, Dan from Supanova and Paramount for the chance to see the film and keep checking back here for more Watchmen exclusive content!
You can see Interviews with the cast and director of Watchmen on the site.
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This comes out a week on friday here in the UK, can’t wait now. They could have screwed it up but after a good review from you guys I’m feeling pretty positive about it, changes to the ending don’t bother me too much since SPOILER WARNING a giant doom squid always seemed a little silly to me and really let the book down so it’d be interesting to see a different take on it.
By the way are you guys planning an audio review or only a text one?
Same release date her in Aus, glad I could help put your mind at ease. It really is worth the wait. as to an Audio review, i would imagine we’ll be giving it the (Cool) shite treatment as soon as it has hit the big screens and more than one of us has seen it. I know i’m certainly keen to expound even further on the virtues of the film in voice!
also don’t forget to check back in in a couple of hours for some more goodness!
Getting more and more excited with every review I read, though some complain the film felt rushed.
And how did you feel about the absence of a certain alien entity? Did the new method of uniting the world work for you?
At two hours and forty minutes, the film does in NO WAY feel rushed. it is measured and well paced throughout. i can’t quite wrap my head around that complaint… as to the absence of the Squid… and lets call it that shall we…
it makes perfect sense… so many people are getting up in arms about its deletion but in essence the final effect is perhaps even more profound. ok it might have been interesting to have seen that ending. but honestly this ending is set up better and pays off in a less esoteric way.
i notice you’re a Jeffrey Dean Morgan fan… hope you enjoy the interview!
Wonderful review Q-Dog. I cannot wait for this movie.
Quick question though (and this might sound a bit strange but my curiosity sometimes gets the better of me) does Dr. Manhattan’s penis get any screen time? I’ve been wondering how they would handle his almost constant nudity throughout the movie.
Not a question i expected, but yeah, there is indeed blue wang. a fairly serious amount of screen time really… no more blurred pixel as in the trailers. he’s little blue superman is there for ya.
ok, now, some more deep questions? anyone? ok i’ll just make do with boob and wang related inquiries.
Ok, how about a more serious question
.
The entire chapter in the graphic novel when Rorshach is arrested and put in jail is a fairly major moment. Does the movie delve into his childhood a fair amount and what about the therapist. Is he in it that much?
Rorschach’s past and motivations get a fair bit of screen time. his past is spoken about and shown for sure and his relationship wiht his therapist gets its time in the sun.
the ink blots are all there…. its ok.
so what do YOU see in the ink blots? hmmm?
I’m so hyped up for this. I was looking forward to the movie anyways, but after seeing this review, and Nate’s on YouTube, I can’t hold in my excitement!
Nicely done Quinny.
A well written piece which shows the restraint, yet fervour that i am actually expecting from the movie. This review, above all others (except perhaps my brother’s when he sees it) is all the reviews that i need for this movie. I must say, for a guy who hadn’t read the graphic novel until a few short months ago, i am so looking forward to this movie.
And i simply cannot believe how closely you kept your cards to your chest. Had no idea that you’d already seen this. Well played, Sir, Well played.
Having seen some of the released footage, i have noticed a tendancy for some of the events that occur later in the film to be “foreshadowed” in subtle asides and glances. My one great wish for this film is that, like myself, the “new” audience member is unaware of what will happen at the end, until it is too late. I know that i had no frelling idea how it was going to end until i got to the last chapter and was completely blown away.
I’d love to leave the cinema and hear the punters talking about this movie, disecting it, being suprised by it, being challenged by it, and scrutinising it, just like my brother and I (and i guess, you guys) do.
man, i just can’t believe how jealous i am right now….
Thanks Bro! glad you got something out of it. And i am also a little flattered that this is all you need in the way of reviews. feel free read a few more! the more the merrier!
Trust me the journey is so encompassing you will probably forget where its all going.i know i did. you kinda know whats coming but by the end ther eare still things that will shock you.
As a hint, don’t read the comic again until you see it. take the film for what it is and enjoy that experience.
thanks for the feedback man!!! and Don’t be jealous, we’ll get there soon enough.
Q-dog
Top class review Q-Dog. Really enjoyed the vidcasts as well. I really need to get off my backside and sort my tickets out to see this next week. I have some gold class passes stuck to my fridge that I decided I would try and use for this, but I don’t know if they are even in date now, I’ll have to check.
I have yet to see a bad review, but admittedly all of the reviews I have seen are by the geek press. I would be interested to see what the mainstream tabloids and broadsheets make of the film.
i hope your gold class passes are still valid, this is the kind of film that deserves the gold class treatment.
as far as the “Normal” press, and possibly the normal audiences i can honestly say that one of the first things i said after coming out of the movie was “i don’t know how it will play to the every day audience” i really hope it catches people’s minds, but i am afraid it may be too impenetrable.
i believe the Sydney Morning Herald’s review was pretty abysmal, missing the point at every turn. but then are we surprised that a high-falutin’ “Cinema-reviewer” would not be able to get on board with a bunch of superheroes. or as i think he said “Batman in sunglasses”
irony is a bit lost on these folks…
Just came out today in France and it was awesome!!!!!
I haven’t read the graphic novel so I had no real expectations before the movie came out but your enthuisasm as well as Nate’s made me want to go check it out. I really enjoyed it and it made me want to read the original source to find out what the hell that giant squid is all about.
V for Vendetta The Dark Knight Returns and now Watchmen!
All turned it into top class movies. Cant wait to see it!
Good review as always Q dog. Very much cant wait to see it. I always thought if Watchmen was made into something they would have to make a Mini series because of all the stuff! Glad they kept it faithful and I have heard apart from the squid its pretty much all in there!
Just opened in the UK, and it was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. Loved the hell out of it, an excellent adaptation and an excellent film in its own right, bring on the director’s cut.
I loved they way they bridged different generations throughout Watchmen, both with props (like the floppy discs) and with music