WATCHMEN

Version: Theatrical

As someone who read the graphic novel, I am very familiar with Watchmen. I picked it up a while back because I heard so much about it from my other readings. Watchmen was even on Time’s best 100 list, which is a first for graphic novels. The conspiracy buff inside me drew to Rorschach, even though I’m one of the liberals he dislikes. I’ve been waiting for this movie ever since 10th grade (that was five years ago). I too believed that this incarnation was just another development hell-bound failure, but when I actually saw that trailer in front of The Dark Knight, I was convinced it was going to happen. I initially disapproved of the guy they cast as Rorschach. He looked too, I don’t know how to say it, wrong. But was I ever wrong. Worse than I was with Heath Ledger as the Joker. But more on that later.

I went to the midnight showing, even though I had class the next morning. No good previews, and I still am confounded as to why they showed Race to Witch Mountain (how many times do we need to tell them THIS IS NOT A KIDS MOVIE!). The film started sort of late, and they didn’t even turn the lights off in the theater. It was also rather ironic that my popcorn bag had the bloody smile pin on the side. Echoes of the novel, anyone? Okay, the movie has started. And it started very well. It had a cold open, which is the term for a section of story before the credits start. Most movies have one of these. The credit sequence was amazing, with Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” playing over a montage of what-if’s in our world but actual occurrences in Watchmen. The soundtrack has a couple other Dylan songs, though they are covers. I recommend listening to it.

When you watch this movie, you get the feel that you are watching the comic book. I can only assume that this is how you feel during 300 (I didn’t see that one). All of the violence is there, save for some of Rorschach’s grunt work. And yes, Dr. Manhattan’s penis is very visible. Big deal, you see the same in your biology book. There are a couple sex scenes between Laurie and Dan (Nite Owl 2), and the one is pretty raunchy. For a minute, I thought I was at a porno. Sex aside, this movie wasn’t as bad as some reviews would make you think. The language is not on the level of a Tarantino movie, and you maybe hear twenty some F bombs. Sure, people get arms sawed off, hot oil dumped on their face, elbows detached, heads cleaved, etc. But it’s not THAT bad. I’ve seen worse. I actually was giggling during most of the above. The special effects are awesome. They’re not too over the top like some movies get, but they don’t disappoint, either. Some people are critical of the slow motion used in the film, but to be honest, there isn’t very much of it. I would be more critical of the sound effects. I recognized lots of them as classic stock. The change to the ending (minor- just a detail) works for the better. I won’t say, only that you won’t pick up on it if you only glanced over the GN.

Cast-wise, I think Rorschach and Dan were good choices. The actor as Dan does a good job in emoting. He also provides some of the film’s humor (not the dark kind that Rorschach has, the light kind). He’s sort of cute, too, so that helps. ;) Rorschach is played by Jackie Haley, and he is great at making the character seem gritty. His performance at the end is very convincing, and you really feel for him (well, at least I do, and you males may be different). People want to bring up Christian Bale’s Batman voice here, and I don’t think they need to be compared. Rorschach is a tormenter, and Batman is just trying to impose. Batman doesn’t kill people or paralyze them. Two different characters, and Bale is not the monopoly on gruff voices.

Billy Crudup is the only actor in this movie I am familiar with, but that’s only because of Princess Mononoke. And believe me, EVERY time Manhattan opened his mouth I kept thinking “Ashitaka is Dr. Manhattan!”. Crudup is mostly only a voice/motion capture actor in this film, but there are a few scenes where he plays pre-accident Manhattan. The voice work is great. I’m going to have to see some of his other work.

Veidt’s actor is okay, but since I don’t like the character I may be biased. His costume is silly, but it’s not distracting. I can’t quite figure out his accent, though. British? Is he trying to sound like Ramses II? I don’t know.

Laurie’s actor is fine, although she looked really different with her eye makeup on. Don’t know why. Her lines were sort of stale, but most female heroes end up that way. She could do well in the adult industry, judging from her numerous sex scenes.

The Comedian was cool. My mind kept trying to say "Robert Downey, Jr." but I stopped it (he does look like him, though). I don't want to say he's my favorite character, but he is definitely number 2.

The other minor characters were okay. I honestly didn't pay much attention to them, but if they were horrible I would have noticed.

This movie is definitely worth a second viewing. I will be buying the disc, too. I won't be getting a Tales of the Black Freighter (the animated companion) disc, because hopefully it will be incorporated into the special edition release.

Go see Watchmen!