The biggest movie of the year so far is out, and everyone has an opinion. The movie, based on the graphic novel (cough, cough comic book, cough) has finally been transferred to the big screen after 20 years, but the question is, is it something that can adapt well? I thought so, read on, and I’ll tell you why.
The movie starts off, setting the surrounding of an alternate 1985 (alternate to you, me, and Einstein, but reality to everyone else. Ha! –Back to the Future) where Richard Nixon is in his third term, and costume superheroes are a reality, but are now outlawed and the world is on the brink of destruction, with the Doomsday Clock now at 4 minutes to midnight, and tensions growing. The debate is whether America can be saved from Russia’s nukes by the world’s most powerful man, Dr. Manhattan. Meanwhile, one of the original superhero’s (a term said loosely) the comedian is killed, and the rest of the team has to put back on the mask and the sexy, sexy tights to find out why, and if their next.
There are so many good things in this movie. The first scene you see really sets the tone for the rest of the movie, and that’s the scene of the comedienne dyeing in all it’s glory. You really don’t know who either of these people are, but you find out through flashbacks, but during the brawl, the special effects are tremendous, the film style is refreshing, and the music, is really dynamic and odd. I thought the music just refused to stay in the background in this movie; the director picked some odd pieces for odd moments, but always was something that got your attention, and raised the experience. I thought the acting was top notch, for the most part. There was a few times I thought it could have been better, but, overall, the good highly outweighed the bad. The few bad parts of the movie, I thought was Carla Gugino as a 70 year old, which just didn’t work for me. The other part was the bad guy, which, I will not tell you who it was, which is part of the fun; but the bad guy just doesn’t seem to be built up as a bad guy. As I write this, I’m left to wonder if that’s just part of the plan; a movie refusing to conform to any superhero or comic book stereo types, as if to shout out ‘there is not guy with a black hat to lay the problems on.’
As I just mentioned, the characters are so rich and interesting, and easily the best part of a movie that will leave your eyes happy, and your brain working. First off, you have Dr. Manhattan, a man who, due to an accident is now able to control everything, and is given god-like powers. However, unlike Superman, Dr. Manhattan is left wondering why he should continue to save a race he couldn’t care less about. This is a perfect example for this movie, this character isn’t supporting the tights (unfortunately, cause there is a lot of wang-age from this character), he just doesn’t care, and is tired of caring, when he realizes he is above that. The next character, who is by far the coolest character, and often gives great dialogue, is Rorschach. His name is due to the inkblots on his mask continuously changing (I have no idea why or how) but they often show his mood, which is usually the only way to tell. This man is mistaken as crazy, but turns out to be the most noble, and sane person in the movie. When he finds out one of his own was murdered, he is the first to pound the pavement, and some faces to find out who did it, he is also the first to confront the bad guy with an uncompromising strength. Next is the Night Owl, in my opinion, a rip-off of Batman, at least in look. This guy is such a wimp without his costume, but when he puts on his costume, he makes it very clear, his purpose and destiny. Next you have The Silk Specter II, who is the shallowest character of all, simply a girl looking to be loved, and realizing putting on a mask to prove to her mother and the world that she should be loved. The comedienne, the first to be killed is the most interesting character. Mark my words, there will be countless philosophy papers written about this guy. He may be the smartest character, because he sees humanity as it truly is, and thinks it’s all a big joke. For this character, ‘anti-hero’ doesn’t even come close. The audience is not sure whether to love or hate the guy, but either way, he was really fun to watch. Finally, the world’s smartest man is simply that, the smartest man. Throughout the movie, you are not sure whether he truly is the smartest man and is two steps ahead of you, or if he is really stupid until the end. However, the interesting point about him, is, your not really sure of the answer, but you have to like the guy. Overall, this movie balanced these characters incredibly well. Most comic book movies have one character, or, for ones that have more, like X-men, they struggle to truly bring out the nature and soul of all the characters, something that Watchmen has no problem doing.
I was partly interested in seeing this movie because of the hype this movie has gotten lately, partly because of the reputation of the comic book, and partly because of the story behind the movie, something nearly as interesting as the movie, itself. After the first trailer had aired, it was made public the company making this movie was not supposed to; WB did not have the rights to it, Fox did. After threatening to not have this movie see the light of day, WB and Fox made nice and agreed to see this movie in a wrap up of one of the biggest screw ups in cinema history.
So, overall, I loved these characters, the music was jarring and the special effects and presentation were incredible, at 2 hours and 21 minutes, it seemed like about 45. I can’t wait for this movie to hit DVD, where I think this movie will truly excel. I give it a 9.5 out of 10. I’m taking half off for the fact I saw Dr. Manhattans wang like 50 times! Ok, fine, that’ not the main reason, but, whatever. GREAT MOVIE, worth seeing in theatres.
FUN FACT: Carla Gugino plays Sally Jupiter, mother of Laurie Juspeczyk, played by Malin Akerman. In real life, Gugino is only seven years older than Akerman.
The movie starts off, setting the surrounding of an alternate 1985 (alternate to you, me, and Einstein, but reality to everyone else. Ha! –Back to the Future) where Richard Nixon is in his third term, and costume superheroes are a reality, but are now outlawed and the world is on the brink of destruction, with the Doomsday Clock now at 4 minutes to midnight, and tensions growing. The debate is whether America can be saved from Russia’s nukes by the world’s most powerful man, Dr. Manhattan. Meanwhile, one of the original superhero’s (a term said loosely) the comedian is killed, and the rest of the team has to put back on the mask and the sexy, sexy tights to find out why, and if their next.
There are so many good things in this movie. The first scene you see really sets the tone for the rest of the movie, and that’s the scene of the comedienne dyeing in all it’s glory. You really don’t know who either of these people are, but you find out through flashbacks, but during the brawl, the special effects are tremendous, the film style is refreshing, and the music, is really dynamic and odd. I thought the music just refused to stay in the background in this movie; the director picked some odd pieces for odd moments, but always was something that got your attention, and raised the experience. I thought the acting was top notch, for the most part. There was a few times I thought it could have been better, but, overall, the good highly outweighed the bad. The few bad parts of the movie, I thought was Carla Gugino as a 70 year old, which just didn’t work for me. The other part was the bad guy, which, I will not tell you who it was, which is part of the fun; but the bad guy just doesn’t seem to be built up as a bad guy. As I write this, I’m left to wonder if that’s just part of the plan; a movie refusing to conform to any superhero or comic book stereo types, as if to shout out ‘there is not guy with a black hat to lay the problems on.’
As I just mentioned, the characters are so rich and interesting, and easily the best part of a movie that will leave your eyes happy, and your brain working. First off, you have Dr. Manhattan, a man who, due to an accident is now able to control everything, and is given god-like powers. However, unlike Superman, Dr. Manhattan is left wondering why he should continue to save a race he couldn’t care less about. This is a perfect example for this movie, this character isn’t supporting the tights (unfortunately, cause there is a lot of wang-age from this character), he just doesn’t care, and is tired of caring, when he realizes he is above that. The next character, who is by far the coolest character, and often gives great dialogue, is Rorschach. His name is due to the inkblots on his mask continuously changing (I have no idea why or how) but they often show his mood, which is usually the only way to tell. This man is mistaken as crazy, but turns out to be the most noble, and sane person in the movie. When he finds out one of his own was murdered, he is the first to pound the pavement, and some faces to find out who did it, he is also the first to confront the bad guy with an uncompromising strength. Next is the Night Owl, in my opinion, a rip-off of Batman, at least in look. This guy is such a wimp without his costume, but when he puts on his costume, he makes it very clear, his purpose and destiny. Next you have The Silk Specter II, who is the shallowest character of all, simply a girl looking to be loved, and realizing putting on a mask to prove to her mother and the world that she should be loved. The comedienne, the first to be killed is the most interesting character. Mark my words, there will be countless philosophy papers written about this guy. He may be the smartest character, because he sees humanity as it truly is, and thinks it’s all a big joke. For this character, ‘anti-hero’ doesn’t even come close. The audience is not sure whether to love or hate the guy, but either way, he was really fun to watch. Finally, the world’s smartest man is simply that, the smartest man. Throughout the movie, you are not sure whether he truly is the smartest man and is two steps ahead of you, or if he is really stupid until the end. However, the interesting point about him, is, your not really sure of the answer, but you have to like the guy. Overall, this movie balanced these characters incredibly well. Most comic book movies have one character, or, for ones that have more, like X-men, they struggle to truly bring out the nature and soul of all the characters, something that Watchmen has no problem doing.
I was partly interested in seeing this movie because of the hype this movie has gotten lately, partly because of the reputation of the comic book, and partly because of the story behind the movie, something nearly as interesting as the movie, itself. After the first trailer had aired, it was made public the company making this movie was not supposed to; WB did not have the rights to it, Fox did. After threatening to not have this movie see the light of day, WB and Fox made nice and agreed to see this movie in a wrap up of one of the biggest screw ups in cinema history.
So, overall, I loved these characters, the music was jarring and the special effects and presentation were incredible, at 2 hours and 21 minutes, it seemed like about 45. I can’t wait for this movie to hit DVD, where I think this movie will truly excel. I give it a 9.5 out of 10. I’m taking half off for the fact I saw Dr. Manhattans wang like 50 times! Ok, fine, that’ not the main reason, but, whatever. GREAT MOVIE, worth seeing in theatres.
FUN FACT: Carla Gugino plays Sally Jupiter, mother of Laurie Juspeczyk, played by Malin Akerman. In real life, Gugino is only seven years older than Akerman.
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