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I didn't think this movie was anything special, imo. It was gorgeous, but I felt that the characters were too thin and poorly developed, which is ironic given this movie's length. The dialouge felt like a kid's cartoon at some parts.
This movie is almost three hours long, yet I can't recall much about it. It wasn't as entertaining as I was hoping it would be.
I liked the movie, however I do think it was a bit long. Not too sure what could be cut out as everything scene did have a purpose. Hmm...
Zack Snyder has really done well for himself, hasn't he? First the amazing Dawn remake(still his best work IMO). Then the eye candy that was 300. And now a pretty cool super hero epic. I'm curious as to what he'll do next. Bring on Army of the Dead"!
I only read the Watchmen comic a few years ago and I honestly don't understand the fuss over it. Great story with great characters but weighed down like a lead balloon with to much dead wood. I remember skipping the Pirate stuff as it was a road block to the main story.
My defining comic that made me sit up and never look at comics the same way again would be AKIRA and NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND. The first comics that were pure cinematic and my benchmark to compare all comics too.
The more I thought of it, the more things I recalled that were left out of the movie. The story behind Rorschach's mask was nothing something to be left out. In the miniseries, he had a whole issue dedicated to his origin. It was probably the best issue of the series.
Just got back from an IMAX screening. Not too shabby. Best parts of the movie were either in prison with Rorschach or with the Comedian (best scene was either Rorschach greasing the inmate or the Comedian kirking out on the protestors). Both characters destroyed, especially the Comedian, who needed a bigger part. The other characters weren't as in your face but kinda grew on me as the story moved along. The fight sequences weren't too bad, if a little farfetched. As I understood, these guys didn't actually have any superpowers yet they were able to fight with surprising ease and borderline superhuman strength. Didn't get it. I also could've done without some of the slow-mo but there were moments where it worked (e.g. The Comedian frying the Vietnamese soldier, Ozymandias smashing the assassin with the pole).
Despite a handful of terrible one liners, cheesy as hell sex scenes, and a somewhat rushed third act (I definitely think they wouldn't have been able to fit everything important about the graphic novel into one movie), this worked pretty well for me, which is honestly more than I expected.
SLIGHT SPOILER...
Also, just curious... would anyone who read the book be able to tell me what Rorschach does to the guy in the bathroom? Or do they not show it in the book either? This was another of my favorite scenes in the movie so I'm pretty keen on finding out.
Hopefully, the DVD will include the fifteen hours of bonus footage needed to complete the story. Much like V for Vendetta, this movie--while good--is only a watered down version of the original work.
Phil
Be careful what you wish for. I heard in a review that they were planning to release an extended cut on DVD with the rest.
It would be decent if it were around three hours.
The digital comic movie they released was 6 hours in length and had a rape scene in it unlike the movie which had the beginnings of one that was broken up.
I liked this movie more than Wolverine anyway.
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The worst part of the movie was Malin Akerman's portrayal of Sally Jupiter.
That could be said for most female roles in a superhero movie. Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider and so on they all have terrible female leads.
Frankly if they bring back MJ in Spiderman 4 to be the damsel in distress they made the same movie 4 times. I was glad when they killed Rachel in Dark Knight because she was annoying.
I even hate Margot Kidder from the original Superman. People calling that movie a classic are drunk and need to watch it again. The guy may be dead but slow and boring is still slow and boring.
I think that Malin Akerman's acting skills and how heroines are portrayed in movies are two different things. Akerman sucked, plain and simple. Superheroines, for the most part, are shallow interpretations of the male superhero. Wonder Woman and Black Canary, are the only ones with any chops. Supergirl, Batgirl, the Invisible Woman are only little girls in a big boy game.
The Silk Spectre, in the comic book, was someone to reckon with. Akerman was just dull.
'Watchmen' is a mess. A turgid affair. The ending was great, but the inability to put forth a coherent story, is the reason it flopped. Deservedly so. It's all very well being clever with a narrative, but if it's not accessible for a large swathe of the audience - then who is it being made for?
There was a feeble attempt to make it more accessible with some popular culture musings - I suspect this was done retroactively, as the dailies had revealed something dire. In all fairness, the opening sequence was staggering, and I really thought we were set for something special, but then it just went limp - very limp.
Just like '300', 'Watchmen' disappeared into its own visual backside.
The comic books may be absolutely fantastic, but as a standalone piece of art, this film is rather poor. I have no doubt that it will be recognised as a poor film in the years to come. This view is reinforced - for me - with the evidence of how relevant, and engaging 'Terminator' remains today. I cite this an example, having just watched it. It's full of intellectually focused ideas, and yet serves as a popcorn movie.
'Watchmen' is an example of a movie that relies heavily on visuals, and to hell with a coherent and engaging story.
Anyone check out the extended edition DVD yet? It's pretty sweet. The extra twenty minutes or so are pretty impressive. I could've done without some of the Sally Jupiter stuff but there's still a lot to be enjoyed, especially the death of Hollis Mason. A lot going on in that scene. I also thought the unrated stuff made the film a lot more savage and not in an entirely visual way. I think some of these scenes were lifted not only to avoid NC-17 but to keep some of the more likeable characters (e.g. Night Owl) in tact.
My only complaint was it runs well over the 3-hour mark, which borders on the complete unwatchability of the extended LOTR films. Nobody wants to sit around this long. There's rumors that the Tales of the Black Freighter segment might be incorporated into a new edition. This sounds like a horrible idea. Once again, people just can't sit around that long for any movie.
Nevertheless, I've seen the film three times now and it's really growing on me, which is great. I swore I was gonna hate it in the beginning.
Yep I have the directors cut, I've seen it 2 and a half times. I think if I watch it too many times It'll start to wear out on me, don't get me wrong I love this movie and I'm a fan of the novel, but a good thing only lasts so long...
Isle 10- A series I'm currently writing with my friend Adam and it will go into production soon. Think The Office meets 10 Items or Less.
I'm probably going to catch a lot of flack for saying this, but Watchmen was probably my favorite film so far this year (notice how I said it was my favorite, not the best). I've read the graphic novel and it truly is one of the best graphic novels of all time. Alan Moore himself said he wanted to create a graphic novel that would be impossible to turn into a movie. So with that in mind, the end result is really impressive. The changes that were made are completely understandable. The writers had a big task of pleasing the fans while making the story accessible to new audiences. SPOILER ALERT So i can see why they wouldnt include the giant squid at the end. Yeah I did have a few problems with the film. The relationship between Nite Owl and Sally Jupiter is kinda slow and boring, but it was kinda slow and boring in the book. When you have these really eccentric characters, normal characters just seem...well dull. But they have to be in the book because it brings in a human element to the story. Something which the reader and viewer can relate to. My biggest gripe with the film is that god awful sex scene. It distracts from the film and derails the entire story. The first time i saw it, my mouth was wide open because I coudlnt believe how bad it was. In all honesty, they could of included a different version of the song "Hallelujah" and it would of been a hell of a lot better.
Overall I gave the film an A- (and that minus is mostly credited to that unforgivable sex scene). I know I'm a minority, but I love the film more and more every time I see it.
Now I hope I didnt sign my own death warrant by writing this reply haha
One more note, the added footage is worth it simply for Hollis Mason's death scene. Everything else was unneccissary.
This is brilliant! I can't believe someone actually took the time to make this. I don't know what's funnier. Rorschach juggling pies and saying he's "nutty" or Night Owl "partying down" and eating pizza. Amazing!
EDIT: Okay. Apparently this is real! How come no one's ever mentioned this before? I'm very confused...