Post by adrianswall on Mar 6, 2009 21:04:38 GMT -5
I saw 'Watchmen' today. I can happily report that it was a fun movie and I enjoyed it. 
I've been waiting 20 years for this film so naturally, it couldn't meet up to my expectations no matter how good it was, but I expected that. And still liked it. 
Zack Snyder did a great job.
SPOILERS
The film is very accurate to the original source material. Some may say too accurate (that Snyder limited his creativity by his reverence to the book) but I don't agree. There were enough alterations and stylish touches to make it its own entity.
The choice of soundtrack was hit-and-miss. Some of the songs were appropriate (Dylan's' "the Times They Are A'Changing"; Simon and Garfunkel's "the Sound of Silence") while some are not so inspired ("Hallelujah" accompanying an extended sex scene was an odd choice, and the use of Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries" during the Vietnam scenes got some giggles and seems like an unintentional parody of "Apocalypse Now".)
The cast is mostly excellent. Jackie Earl Haley dominates the film with his wonderful portrayal of Rorschach. I couldn't imagine a better choice and he nails the part to perfection. Jeffery Dean Morgan makes a strong impact with his limited screen time as the ill-fated Comedian. He gives a very charismatic performance. Billy Cruddup gives a nuanced, laid back performance as Doctor Manhattan. Despite being represented by a CGI effect, he manages to convey subtle emotions. Patrick Wilson is vulnerable and likable as the sad Dan Drieberg. As for Matthew Goode, he is a bit miscast as Ozymandias but he manages to pull it off well enough. He's not the ideal Veidt but he's basically effective. The weakest performance comes from Malin Ackerman, who is basically eye-candy in the film. Her Laurie doesn't have the spirit and fire of the literary version. Some of her line readings are rather wooden. Shes adequate but nothing more. At least she looks good.
The action sequences are extended and more detailed than in the Graphic Novel, presumably to appeal to the expected young audience who anticipate lots of action in their super-hero films. Its not really necessary but it doesn't harm the film. Snyder uses his trademark slow motion fight scenes, as you might expect, but its not as consistently done as his "300".
For those who haven't heard, there is a major change to the climax of the film. Many purists were initially irate at the idea of departing from Alan Moore's well thought-out finale. But despite resistance from die-hards, the new ending works fairly well. It simplifies the the story but not fatally.
Overall, this adaptation of the 'unfilmable' comic does as good a job as one could reasonably expect. The running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes. I'm curious about what was cut from the theatrical release but I'll have to wait for the 3 & a half hour director's cut when it comes out on DVD.
I've been waiting 20 years for this film so naturally, it couldn't meet up to my expectations no matter how good it was, but I expected that. And still liked it. 
Zack Snyder did a great job.SPOILERS
The film is very accurate to the original source material. Some may say too accurate (that Snyder limited his creativity by his reverence to the book) but I don't agree. There were enough alterations and stylish touches to make it its own entity.
The choice of soundtrack was hit-and-miss. Some of the songs were appropriate (Dylan's' "the Times They Are A'Changing"; Simon and Garfunkel's "the Sound of Silence") while some are not so inspired ("Hallelujah" accompanying an extended sex scene was an odd choice, and the use of Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries" during the Vietnam scenes got some giggles and seems like an unintentional parody of "Apocalypse Now".)
The cast is mostly excellent. Jackie Earl Haley dominates the film with his wonderful portrayal of Rorschach. I couldn't imagine a better choice and he nails the part to perfection. Jeffery Dean Morgan makes a strong impact with his limited screen time as the ill-fated Comedian. He gives a very charismatic performance. Billy Cruddup gives a nuanced, laid back performance as Doctor Manhattan. Despite being represented by a CGI effect, he manages to convey subtle emotions. Patrick Wilson is vulnerable and likable as the sad Dan Drieberg. As for Matthew Goode, he is a bit miscast as Ozymandias but he manages to pull it off well enough. He's not the ideal Veidt but he's basically effective. The weakest performance comes from Malin Ackerman, who is basically eye-candy in the film. Her Laurie doesn't have the spirit and fire of the literary version. Some of her line readings are rather wooden. Shes adequate but nothing more. At least she looks good.
The action sequences are extended and more detailed than in the Graphic Novel, presumably to appeal to the expected young audience who anticipate lots of action in their super-hero films. Its not really necessary but it doesn't harm the film. Snyder uses his trademark slow motion fight scenes, as you might expect, but its not as consistently done as his "300".
For those who haven't heard, there is a major change to the climax of the film. Many purists were initially irate at the idea of departing from Alan Moore's well thought-out finale. But despite resistance from die-hards, the new ending works fairly well. It simplifies the the story but not fatally.
Overall, this adaptation of the 'unfilmable' comic does as good a job as one could reasonably expect. The running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes. I'm curious about what was cut from the theatrical release but I'll have to wait for the 3 & a half hour director's cut when it comes out on DVD.
