Dem Reviews: Watchmen

[possible spoilers] I’ve read the Watchmen graphic novel about 3 times in my lifetime and although I call myself a fan of the material, I can’t say I’m a raging fanboy of the universe created by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons. I enjoyed it but I remember as I first read through it and the chapters ended I thought to myself almost everytime “This wouldn’t fly as movie”. It’s just impossibly deep to be compressed into something that would play for mainstream audiences in theaters and find box office gold. And last night, as I sat in the theater, my fears were confirmed as I saw a few people walk out and never come back, people laughing everytime Dr. Manhattan’s glowing blue penis hit the screen & I saw some integral elements from the novel missing. So who did Zack Snyder make this film for? Mainstream or the fanboys? That will be the great debate that will rage until the return of Dr. Manhattan.

The details were there and as a fan, you can scope the backgrounds and see certain elements lifted straight from the novel that will make you undoubtedly smile. The way the story lines were juxtaposed worked well for me, the effects were nice but never made my jaw drop with the exception of Dr. Manhattan. That was well handled and translated faithfully from the book to the big screen. Some of Rorschach voice over did come off as a bit pulpy but I guess that’s what happens with internal dialogue sometimes and a gravely voice (see Clean Up). One issue I had was with some of the costumes, mainly Ozymandias & Nite Owl. For being 1985, they did seem a little out of place. I remember reading the novel and thinking that one of the main reasons this wouldn’t work in real life was simply because of the costumes so I understand the high tech upgrade look but the change was a bit jarring for me.

Now the ending that everyone is bitching about. Yes, it’s different but it’s really not. We get the same results as the novel but with slightly (although some would argue the degree of that slightness) different methods. No spoilers here but all I can say is that it worked for me. Many people will cry foul, no doubt but in the end, I think it worked well.

The film was overall pretty kick-ass & I give Zack Snyder props for taking on the impossible and giving birth to this film, which much like the heroes in the film, is not without flaw but awesome nonetheless. Should it have been made? Probably not. The film doesn’t really stick with me as much as last years Iron Man, much less compared to The Dark Knight. But how do you rate the success factor of a translation of this caliber? To get that answer would not be unlike trying to explain color to a blind man. The film didn’t leave me with much urge to see the film again theatrically (and I’m really looking forward to see what the box office drop off will be on the second weekend). The film worked for me so well that I’m actually kinda worried that if I see it again, it might actually detract, start seeing the cracks in the facade of the almost 3 hour film. I’d rather just keep this healthy memory of the film for now until it’s ultimately released on BluRay. Now I wonder what Alan Moore will say if he ultimately decides to watch Watchmen. I would pay money for that review.

3.5 Stars (out of 5)