Watching the Watchmen
Yes, I am alive and kicking. My health is better, though we are still not sure what is going on. I have more tests scheduled. Hopefully, we'll find something out for sure. And now...
It is a difficult task for a fan who is familiar with a piece of literature to review a movie adaptation of that work. It is with that in mind that I review The Watchmen. However, while the graphic novel is over twenty years old, it is new to me, having only read it for the first time this month. I went to see the film with my buddy, Jamie, on Sunday.
Visually, the movie is compelling. The amazing thing to me is that the movie has both the feel of reality and the feel of a comic book. It is a decent mix and works well. This truly is a comic book come to life. Warren Beatty tried to accomplish this with Dick Tracy, but was largely unsuccessful in the attempt. Zach Snyder was highly successful with Watchmen. Snyder stayed true to the graphic novel plotline as well, changing it only to keep the film in decent time limits and to make the story more understandable for a wide audience. I was surprised by how remarkably true he did stay to the comic.
The music adds something to the movie, as well. I honestly went into the movie having no musical expectations, but left impressed by the choices that were made. Most of the songs will be recognizable to fans of late 20th Century music. The songs fit perfectly in the scenes.
The performances were good overall, but three stand out. Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach was brilliant casting. Haley played the character as he is in the book. Haley’s Rorschach is full of rage and is uncompromising and determined. His is the best performance of the movie. Following Haley are Billy Crudup’s well nuanced performance as Dr. Manhattan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s in-your-face turn as The Comedian.
The second weekend of the movies saw a downturn in audiences. Some people are surprised by that. I’m not. The movie is very faithful to the graphic novel, which is a wonderful thing for comic book fans, but can be difficult for the general public. The social message is load and clear, but in the 21st Century, where the biggest threats come less from global superpowers than from smaller nations and groups with axes to grind against those superpowers. Given a few years, and the growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia, the Cold War message could become very real again. As it is, I’m not certain that the message resonated, especially with viewers too young to remember the height of the Cold War.
Another reason for the drop-off is likely the fact that most of the persons for whom the movie was made saw it on the first weekend. This is a dream movie for comic book fans. It is a story that is steeped in super-hero mythology, and works best as meta-fiction within the genre. For those outside of the fan community, much of the subtext is lost.
Added to that is the well earned R rating. The general public tends to think of super-hero movies as family fare. Watchmen is absolutely not a family film. This is not a movie for the squeamish or for a child. This, of course, goes back to the misconception that comic books are only for children.
So, as a movie for the general public, Watchmen is great spectacle. It is a visual treat and a great mystery. It is also fantastic social commentary for those who are interested. However, there is much that will be lost to those who are not comics fans.
For comics and super-hero fans, Watchmen is must-see viewing. It is a brilliant adaptation of what is largely regarded as the greatest super-hero story of all time. This is one of the top super-hero movies of all time
One caveat: as mentioned earlier, the movie deserves its R rating. It is graphic, but to make a point. By and large anything graphic is there for story related reason. If that is an issue for you, do not see this movie.
With that in mind, this movie is well worth the wait of over 20 years. I highly recommend it to those interested in super-heroes as well those interested in as 20th Century culture and politics.