Watchmen Review

Its a pretty big movie right now, and I am sure many of you have seen it, but if you haven't, I would suggest that you check it out - it is definitely worth a look.

The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name, and is very, very different from your average superhero movie - not only is it bloody, graphic and dark, but it also has alot of deep background story, involving everything from rape to butchered children. Its definitely not for people who are the least bit squeamish, as there are parts where people explode and stuff... I found some of it quite funny, but not everyone has a sense of humour as dark as mine.

The deep background means there are alot of flashbacks to explain the way characters feel about one another, their relationships and histories, etc. I dont feel that all of it is entirely necessary, but then again, the film didn't lose anything for being so deep, and it would have lost alot of it's charm if these sections hadn't been included.

Watchmen takes place in an alternative reality, where it is the year 1985, and Richard Nixon has been elected for a third term as president of the US. The cold war with Soviet Russia is about to reach boiling point and everyone believes the world is on the brink of nuclear annhilation.

In this alternative reality, you have masked superheroes and supervillains, with names like Miss Jupiter, The Comedian, stuff like that. They don't have Superman style, reality-bending powers, but they just seem to be a little faster, stronger and smarter than average people. Oh hang on.. maybe one of them is a little bit special:

Say hello to Dr. Manhattan, a blue physicist who spends most of his time butt naked.

He is totally naked... alot... and... yes you do get to see his doodle. He could take Superman apart for lunch, then have every other comic book superhero or villain for dessert... if only he could be bothered. His list of abilities include:

Seeing all of time at once
Being able to grow to Godzilla size
Rearrange matter at will, with his mind
Be able to have multiple copies of himself. At one point he puts this ability to excellent use
Able to make himself incorporeal at will
Teleportation
Making people explode

There are more, too... he is somewhat gifted, even by comic book standards... and he isn't even the main character.

Everyone's favourite protagonist has to be Rorshach, who is basically an insane, twisted nutcase with a really funky psychological inkblot mask and little in the way of actual powers, apart from being able to make everything he does seem like the coolest thing ever.

There are so few decent screengrabs available.. but at least the original graphic novel can fill in well enough :D

There are other characters... but those two are the coolest, and I dont wanna spoil everything for you people. You'll find out when you watch the movie. Which you will do. Because:

Reasons to see Watchmen:

1) Its well written - great dialogue, some very quotable lines
2) Its well directed - the action scenes are beautiful, great camera work all over
3) Its well produced - very slick style, oozing with class
4) The soundtrack kicks ass - some awesome 80's tunes
5) The characters are cool - Rorshach's no compromise anti-hero is fantastic
6) It follows the ideas of the graphic novel closely - it keeps alot of the history
7) It has a big blue penis in it - yay!

Reasons not to see Watchmen:

1) It may be too gory - exploding people may upset you if you are a little girl
2) Its a bit long - two and a half hours

Overall:

Definitely worth a look, is especially impressive on the big screen.. wont be nearly so good on DVD, so catch it while its out in the cinema!

Esmie xXx