Watchmen?

[jyl]

Anyone looking forward to the "Watchmen" movie? Or a fan of the original graphic novel? Or have a contrary opinion?

I'm reading about how "Watchmen" is the greatest graphic novel ever and the movie is either great or sucky depending on the review.

But I'd never even heard of the book before now, guess I'm just oblivious? I liked the original "Heavy Metal" magazine when in college, but otherwise have never been into graphic novels or comic books, after age 10 that is. I went to the bookstore to buy the original "Watchmen" book, then got distracted by a nubile series called "Empower". But I didn't buy either - have a hard time paying "real book" prices for a comic book.

[jeffgrant]

It was THE first graphic novel, and one of my favourites.

I'm man enough to admit that I still subscribe to Heavy Metal, and Watchmen is still one of my favourites.

There's a lot of people that are having varying things to say, but the one thing I've picked up from people who've seen the screener early is that it would do a LOT of good for you to have read the book first.

I hear it doesn't do well as a stand-alone movie.

That being said, it's kind of long, is VERY violent (comic book violence attains a whole new level of impact when brought to the big screen), drags in the middle a bit, has its schlocky parts, and the ending is different than the novel, but overall is an enjoyable film.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing it, as are quite a few of my friends. As long as you go into it realizing it's not going to win any Oscars, I don't think you can go wrong.

I also enjoy reading the movie reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/watchmen/


$0.02 (CDN)

[jyl]

Thanks for telling me that - I'll be sure to read the book before seeing the movie.

I actually have a backlog of movies I want to see, which is rare. Next up is "Coraline", the animated movie from Laika.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by jyl

Anyone looking forward to the "Watchmen" movie? Or a fan of the original graphic novel? Or have a contrary opinion?

I'm reading about how "Watchmen" is the greatest graphic novel ever and the movie is either great or sucky depending on the review.

But I'd never even heard of the book before now, guess I'm just oblivious? I liked the original "Heavy Metal" magazine when in college, but otherwise have never been into graphic novels or comic books, after age 10 that is. I went to the bookstore to buy the original "Watchmen" book, then got distracted by a nubile series called "Empower". But I didn't buy either - have a hard time paying "real book" prices for a comic book.

The movie heavy metal was a cult classic back in the 80s.

Anyone else remember that besides me? One of the greatest sound tracks ever. I lusted after Tarna the Tarachian for many a year afterwards, hehe.

[jeffgrant]

Friend of mine just posted his thoughts on the movie, after just seeing the midnight showing (in NY):

Just got back from the midnight showing and I have quite a lot on my mind. There are still quite a few things I need to digest, but I can say some things for sure...

First off, if you haven't read the graphic novel, don't see this movie. I wouldn't say that it's a bad movie, but compared to the novel, the experience you get from this movie is terrible. All of the people I saw the movie with had never read the novel before and all of them loathed the movie. The transliteration just does not translate to the screen the way Snyder did it, and I'll get to his **** momentarily. Honestly, don't ruin a great graphic novel for yourself by predisposing yourself to the story in this form. You'd really be doing yourself a disservice to be turned off to this incredible story by seeing this movie.

As for the movie itself, you could see Snyder's fingerprints all over it. Every action scene was slown down and overdramatized, while the same was done for much of the dialogue as well. The flow of the movie was terrible, and while that's something I was personally able to overlook because of my appreciation of the story's nuances, it isn't for the casual moviegoer.

The worst aspect of the movie, though, far and away, was the music selection. I can't describe how many scenes were ruined due to terrible background music, completely destroying the intended tone of the scene. Whoever was in charge of music for this movie needs to be shot. Maybe I'm more aware of this stuff after reading Tucker's blog, but I can't put into words how negative of an impact the music had on the movie for me. You'll cringe multiple times.

When you get past that stuff, and I know it's saying a lot, it was quite a good movie, but that has pretty much everything to do with the source material and nothing to do with anything else.

On the bright side, Haley as Rorschach was outstanding - he truly embodied the character and most every scene with Rorschach was great (and they kept almost all of his scenes in the movie). Akerman as Laurie exceeded expectations, but that's only because there were no expectations for her. The rest of the cast was serviceable, even Veidt, in spite of one of the worst casting decisions I've ever seen.

The changes to the storyline at the end of the movie are acceptable, given no mention of Shea throughout the movie (trust me, it was long enough as it is). Honestly, I think a few scenes could've been cut out. Almost everything from the novel was put to film, but the nuance was lost amidst terrible execution and flow, while it was virtually impossible for anyone who hadn't read the story before to keep up with the endless onslaught of characters.

Overall, terrible execution and direction were redeemed by an incredible story, one great performance, and a few serviceable ones. I guess I can find some relief in knowing that Snyder didn't rewrite the story; it's just a shame he did such a piss poor job in executing it.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I think a lot of people are really not going to get this movie. I read the comic back in high school and remember thinking.. WTF?

[masraum]

what's the premise of the story? I'd heard of the watchmen, but never read the story.

[Isabo]

I'm looking forward to the film. Unfortunately I'm quite certain that it will either be watered down for brevity and a major let down or impossible to follow for anyone that isn't into comics and heroes as well as very familiar with the Watchmen graphic novel.
Watchmen is a must read book for anyone that likes comics and superheroes with adult themes, fingers crossed for the film.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by jeffgrant

it would do a LOT of good for you to have read the book first.

I hear it doesn't do well as a stand-alone movie.

...a bit like The Bible then?

[jeffgrant]

Originally Posted by Dottore

...a bit like The Bible then?

I wouldn't know... never read it, or saw the movie.

[creaturecat]

Runaway production. Shot in Vancouver. 250 million dollar budget. Absolute misery to work on.

[cantdrv55]

What's a graphic novel? Like big comic book?

[jyl]

OK, I bought the "Watchmen" book this afternoon and read it, so I can see the movie this weekend.

Best graphic novel I've read. But reminded me why I don't usually buy them. Too short. 400 pgs, $20, and only lasted a few hours. Still, I'm glad I read it.

Dr Manhattan reminds me of the Silver Surfer, similar powers but sans surfboard. Seems he would be powerful enough to neutralize any nuclear threat? The art was standard comic book fare, not as stunning as some of the Heavy Metal artwork.

Oh, I will say that there was not enough nubility in the panels. But that's just me.

[t951]

I just watched the movie tonight.
I have never read the book.

I was bored for a while, apparently missed a bunch of subtleties, and could not believe how long it was.

My friends, who have read Watchmen, loved it.

I would say pass on this movie if you aren't a watchmen fan.

[jyl]

I liked the movie. It is a lot like the first Harry Potter movie. Meaning that it sticks as close to the book as a movie could reasonably do, down to the dialogue and key panels, and thus can't be particularly creative on its own. Technically well done, good casting, and moves along pretty well, unless you're utterly lost, which I probably would have been if I hadn't just speed-read the book. Thanks for the suggestion, jeffgrant.

[Nathans_Dad]

Just saw the movie tonight, I read the book about a month ago or so.

My review:

Overall I liked the movie. To me, the movie has the same problems the book has. The first 9 chapters of the book absolutely kick ass. The last 3 I was left with a "WTF?" sensation...especially the ending. It was almost as if someone wrote the first 9 chapters and then asked an 8 year old how the story should end. Just like the book, I liked the first hour and a half or so of the movie. The last 45 minutes were still "WTF" although I do like the ending of the movie better than the book. The artwork and cinematography in the movie is great, it does the best job of any of the comic book movies of actually looking like a comic book. Several of the scenes are taken right off the page. Rorschach is awesome, best job of acting in a comic book movie I have seen.

The violence and sex are WAY overdone. It's almost as if the director just wanted to see how much he could get away with and still be rated R. The book itself is violent, but its violence is often suggested or left up to the reader's imagination. The movie shows it all, often in super slow motion and closeup. Some of the scenes have even been altered from the book...seemingly just to get more gore in. Also, the sex scene is ridiculous. It easily qualifies as at least soft core porn. Now, the chick playing Silk Spectre II is pretty hot, so that part I didn't mind, but sheesh...

As usual I was SHOCKED to see people bringing kids to this movie. There were several kids around 12 there and even one kid I saw who had to be less than 8. What the hell are parents thinking (or are they not thinking??)? Either the parent had NO CLUE what the movie was about or didn't care. Either one is inexcusable. One woman walked out in the middle of the movie, towing a 7 year old. At least he was spared the sex scene.

One last thing. I know Jon (Dr. Manhatten) is nude through 99% of the book. I understand that he should be nude in the movie in order to stay true to the book. Having said that, do we REALLY need to have every other scene have him in full frontal nudity with CG dong hanging there for all to see?

Overall, I give it 2 1/2 stars. Some of the cinematography is really very nice, I liked some of the music, although I agree that it is often overdone (like the rest of the movie). I still think the overall story is neat, if you like the book, then see the movie.

[JonT]

I saw the movie and was impossibly bored for 2 1/2 hours. I had not read the book so did not appreciate the characters or story. I'm not critical of it but I think a full understanding of the novel is necessary to appreciate it. Rorschach was the most interesting character by far IMO.

[9dreizig]

Hey saw the movie last night,, no expectations and had not read the book.. Really liked it!!
But I love dark, cynical, violence and sex ,, that's why I hang with you guys here on the PBB !!!

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

sex ,, that's why I hang with you guys here on the PBB !!!

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[Laneco]

Steve and I just finished watching this. I would not recommend it....

The story line wanders around quite a bit. It lacks the both the focus and artistic nature of Sin City (a great show movie in my opinion).

Quite a bit of sex in it, one scene is just one step above pornographic. I really did not expect to see man buttocks thrusting away.

The whole thing with the full frontal blue penis shots of character John (Dr. Manhattan) just weirded me out. You would have thought that the other characters in the movie would be a little put-off by that. "Hey John, you mind not swinging that big blue johnson around everywhere? And could you please not sit your naked blue ass on the couch?"

This is really not a good movie. Though I am somewhat interested in painting Steve blue...

p.s. Steve gives it two thumbs up for gratuitous sex and violence.

angela