Watchmen (2009)

Director Zack Snyder (of 300 fame) brings one of the classics of the graphic novel medium (and also one of Time magazine’s 100 Best Novels) to the big screen in Watchmen, where a group of semi-retired superheroes, or “masks,” tries to uncover a plot to destroy their kind, all while under the threat of nuclear annihilation of the human race. Set in an alternate 1985, Watchmen is more murder mystery than a “comic book movie” in the stereotypical sense, with philosophical underpinnings to boot.

Watchmen breaks down these heroes into what they are essentially - just humans, with their own fears, and hopes. All except the one true “superhero” - Dr. Manhattan, a product of a physics accident who changes the history of the film’s alternate Earth forever.

Despite the long running time (the film clocks in at an LotR-like 2-hours and 40-odd minutes), and an almost-page-for-page recreation of the graphic novel (along with a pacing which makes you feel like you are reading instead of watching), Watchmen still has the visuals and action that might be expected from a superhero flick.

Director Zack Snyder’s artsy recreation of Frank Miller’s 300 once again manifests itself in Watchmen, with a certain visual style that I feel is an excellent way to bring the superheroes to life. The colors become even more alive (check out Dr. Manhattan’s blue glow), and the darkness becomes even more vivid. The action, so sparingly used in the book, is amazing to behold onscreen. Gory, yes. This isn’t gory like Kill Bill, but realistic violence. But the realism and well-timed slow-motion (not gratuitous slow-motion, like in 300) is frankly just like watching poetry in motion.

Another thing that I loved about the movie was its music. When reading anything, you all hear the dialogue in your head. But the film medium is able to truly bring the scenes to life, with nicely placed 80s songs that capture the emotion in scenes (my favorite was during Eddie Blake’s funeral).

The actors’ performances also were quite satisfying. When I initially saw the cast (no real big stars), I admit I was a bit disappointed. But seeing the film, I believe all of them did an excellent job. Their performances might not have been what I initially pictured, but like Downey with Tony Stark/Iron Man, it’s just hard to imagine anyone else now. From Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias’ (played by Matthew Goode) confident drawl, to Dr. Manhattan’s (Billy Crudup) boring scientist personality (and voice), to Rorschach’s deep growl (Jackie Earle Haley, in an amazing voice-acting job) - everything was played well.

And if you’re a fan of bad-ass characters, then you’ll love Rorschach. The probably-insane masked vigilante is the only “mask” still operating outside the law, after the US government passed an act to make them illegal years ago. His guttural voice (which reminded me of Christian Bale’s attempt at sounding intimidating in The Dark Knight, but only turning out to be utterly incomprehensible) delivers his chilling lines with a menace. Although he may be hard to understand at times (you’ve gotta listen hard especially for the parts where Rorschach is “narrating”), all his action scenes are worth it. There is no character in my recent memory who is as hardcore as this guy, seriously. This film has one additional star from me, just for Rorschach’s scenes! Rorschach = Bad-ass, period.

Watchmen is admittedly not for everyone. If I were to make an analogy of recent powerful superhero films, this is more Dark Knight than Iron Man, with much more psychological and philosophical underpinnings, and with a pace that is very slow. When going in to see this, one should probably have a mindset of getting ready to immerse in a deep discussion (with lots of amazing visuals and bad-ass action sprinkled in) instead of just lying back to relax.

Nevertheless, this film is destined to be a cult classic. Graphic novel writer Alan Moore has a history of hating his work being translated into other mediums (see: V For Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell), but this is a film that I feel comes the closest to a true adaptation of his work. Yes, I found the book superior in terms of conveying the ideology, but in terms of enjoying a satisfying film experience, Watchmen fits the bill.

Watchmen is not your usual comic book/superhero movie. It is, plainly, a work of art, that I think one must have an open mind (and adjusted expectations) to truly enjoy.

PS. Also, R-13? What were the ratings guys thinking? R-18 at least man, even with the cut. Male frontal alert!

PPS: Malin Akerman is hotter with bangs.

*Originally posted in Bryan’s personal journals, on March 8, 2009.