Who Watches the Watchmen? Brian's Guest-Blog Review
My good friend, fellow blogger and logo designer Brian went to see Watchmen on Friday night. He was kind enough to provide a review as a guest blogger below. I saw the film today, and will be posting my thoughts and a response to his review in another post later this week.
Watchmen was often considered a movie that could never be made. But after Zack Snyder (300) took the helm and his Watchmen trailers caused fanboys, fangirls and the general population to unite with shared excitement...there was reason to believe it had been done.
When turning (arguably) the greatest graphic novel into a movie, it raises the bar to almost unattainable heights and results in an all-too common problem: stay true to the book, or use it as a platform for inspiration? Snyder is able to walk a very fine line doing both, and deliver a movie that true fans and newcomers can appreciate. But here is the twist: it’s Watchmen, a twelve-issue comic that first appeared for DC Comics in 1986-87, has since been released in its complete form and placed on TIME’s list of 100 Best Novels. If it were translated word-for-word from the book to the screen, it would be unwatchable (pun totally intended). If it strayed too much from the book, it would be criticized on every blog and article until nothing remained.
In
almost 3 hours (yes, it’s that long, and sadly feels so), the film is able to
translate the visual style, excitement and pulse of the graphic novel. Although
it may be critiqued for jumping back and forth too much, it is important to
acknowledge that the ground-breaking graphic novel had the same feel. The film
does have peaks and valleys, which may be due to the original platform being
told over twelve issues, but the astonishing imagery makes up for it. With the
close-up shots panning back to show the full frame, it is as if the actual
panels in the comic are coming to life. The film makers are also able to
include several nods throughout the film that the true fans will notice: from
Nostalgia Perfume to the Gunga Diner, from the snow globe atop the TV to Hooded
Justice’s German accent — those that read the book should feel pleased
that the film remembers its roots and fans (hopefully enough to forgive them
for certain exclusions, which I am intentionally leaving out to avoid potential
spoilers).
Overall, Watchmen is done well. It may fail to meet the hype we all placed on it, but it shouldn’t leave you feeling disappointed. It stays true to the novel (with a few exceptions) and brings to life a great book we all loved. The characters are well cast (notably Jackie Earl Haley’s Rorschach) and it contains possibly one of the best opening sequences and opening credits to date. There may be scenes that come across as unintentionally humorous, but those are the scenes that are the most similar to the novel. I guess some things just translate better on the page. Although it may not be a film that holds up 10 years from now, after 22 years of thinking it could never be made… I’m happy it was.
Categories: Film, Guest Blogger, Comics, Contests
Tags: Watchmen
Went to see Watchmen movie. All over the place like rats running from a burning building. Pretty to look at but putrid smelling and chaotic. Trying to stay true to that tome is like trying to act out the bible in real time. Misses the point and annoys the faithful.
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I couldn't disagree more, Zerocrossing. The narrative isn't supposed to be filmic; it's supposed to be Watchmen. And that's achieved fully in this film. Putrid smelling and chaotic? I found it incredibly faithful to the book and I don't understand in the least how you thought it missed the point.
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march fifth, eleven thirty p.m. finally sitting in the theater, observing the madness that is the midnight showing. there are less than a handful of faithfuls who decided to come in costume. it is obvious silk spectre in all her lingerie-bottom glory is getting more attention than rorschach. sad because rorschach ended up being so much more of a meaningful and complex character than she'd ever be. they are also showing the jonas brothers next door. they don't know what filth they will be ingesting from that waste of media when instead they can be waiting in anticipation for the movie that is watchmen. maybe not considered as faithful as many, but did read the graphic novel in completion. won't lie, was hesitant with the adaptation to screen but zack did a commendable job. script was almost identical at times, blood and gore was of the essence. sound of bones breaking and blood gushing only added to the effect. sex scene was a little uncomfortable, probably especially for the fanboys out there who watched this with fellow fanboys. sure they'll enjoy it more when it's on blu-ray. but i digress. ending was obviously changed and might upset the fanbase some. but i understand why it was changed. many of the people watching this movie for the first time may not have even picked up the novel. they would only become confused had they seen what actually happened in the book on screen. length of movie was long but content of movie and character backdrops required it. commendable how much of the story was able to fit so well into just less than three hours. many complaints heard about manhattan's genitals showing excessively. leave it to the pathetic gigglers in the theater to make a big deal about it and give attention where it didn't need to be. probably would have had complaints if he had nothing there at all. can't make everybody happy. don't know if will necessarily buy this on blu-ray when it comes out. definitely glad to have watched in imax. movie did well for time allotted and complexity of characters. hear there's even a short film available based on "tales of the black freighter". also glad to see dr. malcolm long portrayed in the movie to as minute a detail as his hat. overall, well done, zack snyder. despite what many may say, you did a commendable job condensing the novel to the best of your availability and rest assured many people are intrigued enough by the film to want to read the novel for themselves.
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