WATCHMEN (2009) Dir. Zack Snyder
When I first heard that they were making a movie of the most unfilmable graphic novel of all time, I thought “bull!” Till I saw DAWN OF THE DEAD remake and 300 all done by Mr. Zack Snyder. Once his name was attached, I thought “okay. I’ll bite. Thrill me.”
And was I wowed? Well, mostly.
The WATCHMEN film is very faithful to the source material, many consider to be the greatest graphic novel of all time by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. With some notable exceptions, everything is in there and follows the book very closely. As expected, the special effects are nicely done and the characters are well acted. I really do consider that this is the graphic novel come to life, with some modern edge.
In my opinion, Zack tends to overdo the slow motion in fight scenes, especially in 300. It comes back here in this film, but isn’t nearly as annoying. Like, he doesn’t always go back to the well. His angles are straight out of the comic book, but he does make it sort of his own. Unlike Rodriguez did in SIN CITY, which is panel for panel, shot for shot the comic made in motion.
In the middle of the film, I sat back confidently thinking, “Zack has done it. I’m sold. This film is great and I’m liking what I am seeing.” Especially since he kept one of my favorite lines in the film. Since if every moment in the book if filmed would make this movie 10 hours long, he kept it as bare bones as possible. Some things have been changed, notably part of the ending from the book. I guess in this film it makes sense, but I don’t see why what happens in the comic would have worked just as well. I guess it serves a couple purposes for a couple characters actions AFTER what happens, but I still think you could have done the original idea and been fine. It wasn’t a super necessary change. But not all that annoying that they did it. You will have to compare and contrast both the movie and the comic on your own and decide for yourself.
So I liked the bulk of the film. But I do have a list of nitpicks if I must find something wrong with the movie:
–Sex Scenes. A tad over the top. Perhaps it’s the overly loud Leonard Cohen in my ear during the whole thing. Necessary? Not that I’m complaining about some T&A. But okay. I’ll take this one
–Some of the Hollis Mason stuff was cut. Could it be so bad to add another 30 seconds to show what happens to him? (EDIT-In the Director’s cut DVD, those scenes are added back in.)
–The music. A tad overpowering and odd at times. The thought crossed my mind: THIS IS THE FOREST GUMP OF COMIC BOOK MOVIES. Of course, at times it is important to show this is a different reality and it is a clever way to do it in the opening credits. Some of the music choices, while good songs, just didn’t seem to mix too well with what was on screen. It was partly score and then over the top music cues. I found that a tad bothersome, but acceptable all the same. The one that bothered me the most was at Edward Blake’s funeral, they started playing a very stereotypical song for such a moment. I thought “really? We don’t need that to amplify this.” Some simple and moving score would have been more effect I would think. And in the scene where Ozymandias was talking to some shareholders, we hear Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” via elevator music. Not so subtle and quite distracting. But kudos on the Bob Dylan in the opening sequence. In fact, the entire opening sequence is the best part of this movie, hands down.
–The actor who played Ozymandias… I felt that they could have cast someone a tad older and had him seem more arrogant or pompous. He seemed like a bratty college kid, rather than the world’s smartest man as they keep repeating via dialog. I think someone older and with a more commanding presence would work better.
Okay, and a huge problem I had and its a SPOILER so skip this if you haven’t seen the film yet or read the book….
(SPOILER)
When Rorshach dies, his blood leaves behind a rorshach blot. I really, really hated that. It garnered a laugh from the audience I was seeing the film with, at a part that I thought really needed to keep a certain emotion level. You lose that with this blot blood shot. Bad idea. BAD idea. If I would cut one thing, it would be that.
(SPOILER OVER)
I think someone going into this expecting a slam-bang superhero action movie are going to be disappointed. This was made for fans of the graphic novel. Its really a philosophical superhero movie. And it is very well done. Is it the GREATEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE EVER? I wouldn’t say that. I’m glad I saw it, but in the end, it really makes me want to go back to the original graphic novel. I ask myself, “did we really even need this movie?” The answer is an easy “No.” But if this movie introduces people to it and they give the original book a read, then perhaps it wasn’t all for nothing.
GRADE: 4 Ink blot tests out of 5
For more from the author ADAM TALLEY, including a look at his independent comic book work, visit http://www.idiothead.com
Raised primarily in central Michigan all his life, Adam is a successful writer, artist and self publisher. He is best known for his comics: PLEASANT LIFE, THE EXPENDABLES, WISE INTELLIGENCE and the upcoming ANNA POCOLYPSE. He also wrote a free online how to book called "IN THE TRENCHES: HOW TO SURVIVE AS A SMALL PRESS COMIC BOOK PUBLISHER." He also has done some pinup work for ANTARCTIC PRESS and logo designs for many other clients. He has been featured on web sites, newspapers, television and magazines talking about his work and travels around the country promoting it. He resides in Southwest Michigan. 
