Bucky (Watchmen)
Watchmen
Directed by Zack Snyder
Screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse
Based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
When the man who artfully slapped 300 together said he was going to tackle Watchmen next, I must say, Zack Snyder, you had my optimism at an all time high. His page-to-page style is so perfect for comic book movies I was a little giddy. David Hayter and Alex Tse will be the gentlemen held with the task of putting the Alan Moore masterpiece to a screen play format.
Now we all sat around, being the fanboys that we are, and had that: ooooo ooooo I want this guy for that role and no not her, for this you can have Sally Struthers! After I saw that casting I was thinking, “Wow, these people really look like their comic book counterparts,” and it got me a little worried that maybe they skimped on talent for looks. Well I was wrong, the casting was spot on down to the minute…men.
There were a lot of intense scenes in the graphic novel that I thought they would either tone down or leave out all-together… and in doing so would weaken the whole feel of what Watchmen had accomplished in the 1980′s. Well, every scene I thought would be cut was there, and all the kinda offbeat sexuality made it in as well. And yes Zack, you did an amazing job directing, but let me say this. Without that flawless cast it might never have felt like Studio 54 opened.
Now, I can’t really say if any one acting performance shined brighter than any other. Malin Akerman, you were a gorgeous brunette as Laurie Jupiter. Billy Crudup looked flawless as the glowing blue Dr. Manhattan. Patrick Wilson you are now an overweight super hero… poor Nite Owl. Jackie Earle Haley, you were still a delinquent and, well, I’d never imagine you could play Rorschach and you utterly made this role untouchable by anyone else. Jeffrey Dean Morgan you made me laugh as the Comedian. Matthew Goode, you looked great in a purple suit as Adrian Veidt. I could go on. Everyone deserves mention ’cause everyone shined.
It has to be said, though, that the movie moves kinda fast and one can get lost in the middle. After all, Watchmen is something like two hours and forty minutes. I assure you, take a piss BEFORE the movie starts because you are not going to want to miss anything; it is all intricate and fast paced. I didn’t even notice that all that time had passed. Watchmen kept me involved from start to finish. In fact, I can’t wait for the uncut (possibly) 4-5 hour extended cut with Tales From the Black Freighter and Under the Hood included.
A little summation for those of you who have not read the graphic novel. A super hero is killed and Rorschach is on the case—unbeknownst to the police, of course. Superheros basically all had to quit or give up their true identity (yes, this idea came before X-Men’s Mutant Registration Act). There is also the threat of nuclear holocaust in which Ozymandias and Dr. Manhattan seems to be very eager to prevent, vote Nixon. And for any of you that heard rumors that a giant squid saves the world, that is just not true. Through many twists and turns the story unfolds to an extremely well though out AHA!!! If you haven’t read the comic, it is still a great movie. Just, again, pee before it starts as it does move kinda fast. When you feel you missed something, don’t worry. You didn’t miss anything as it might just not be there.
Overall: 2.5 (I am sure I will give that unedited version a 3.5–4).
Review by Bucky