Watchmen

[sildil]

I loved it. I thought it was very faithful to the graphic novel, but it also managed to be not just a straight copy, like say, '300'. I know a couple of the critics said that the film was wonderfully accurate but let down by the lack of character depth. I do sort of see what they meant, but I would say that the only character that was not as convincing was Ozymandius. His mental ability and related power just didn't quite come across, I don't think he was charismatic enough, but he was still good.

Rorschach was perfect, from start to finish, as was Dr Manhattan, totally divorced from humanity. In contrast Nite Owl was wonderfully human and acted as a counterpoint to Rorschach's cynicism and downbeat attitude. Spectre was suitably sexy, but also vulnerable. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (yep, Sam and Dean's Dad from 'Supernatural'!) surpassed himself playing The Comedian in a brilliant piece of casting, his story being told throughout in flashback.

I thoroughly recommend it, but it isn't by any means the standard 'super heroes' type film, all of them are disfunctional, their relationships inadequate or complex. The effects are brilliant, especially Dr Manhattan's, but just the simple changing mask of Rorschach on it's own was incredible.

And the biggest test, Lizzie came with me and she enjoyed it, which considering her usual choice would be a rom-com was quite something!

Comments

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I saw this yesterday too. I loved it and had not read the graphic novel so I did not have anything to compare it to. But I did love the whole tone and feel of the movie and the anti-hero thing. I think this is where the Batman series actually got it from. Woo.

Nice review. :)

[sildil]

Ooh I'm glad you liked it! Yes, I have the graphic novel and love it (but then I am a graphic novel nut really) and yes, I think that the recent darkness of Batman and similar does owe a lot to 'Watchmen' and similar. Definitely anti-hero as well, but nicely done. Glad you liked my review!

[nekokatechan.livejournal.com]

Dude, I pass Bromsgrove everyday on my way to Uni (Uni of Birmingham student). I commute from Worcester. It's weird for people who friend me to be so close XD

It looks like I'm going to enjoy the film if it's as good as they said it is. I heard they changed the ending? Is it still as good?

[sildil]

Hah how odd! Yeah it IS weird when LJ touches day to day life! I know Worcester well-ish too :)

I think the ending was pretty much faithful to the novel, up to the last more or less, and the ending didn't spoil it or anything - if anything it was a thought-provoking ending in itself, regardless of how the novel ends. Visually it's pretty faithful - not unlike the frame-by-frame similarity in '300'.

[nekokatechan.livejournal.com]

Mm. Mark Kermode (the only critic I ever really pay attention to) said that they had the novel with them at all times on set to make sure everything matched up.

He gave the film a less than sparkling review though... I think he was expecting it to be more profound than it is though... (Let's face it, it was more thought provoking in the age that it was written than now.) Seems like he was hoping that it would bring back that Cold War fear but it failed in his opinion. I hope it hasn't, despite the fact that Snyder isn't a very good director.

[sildil]

THAT'S interesting, and something that struck me at the time, now you mention it, that of course the novel was written at a time when the issues were different. I don't think it failed - I think it could have maybe had a tadge more fire in its belly, but I liked the way the flashbacks were handled and the toing and froing of the story, which even as a graphic novel can be confusing at times, with the text chunks in it and switches from Rorschach's 'diary' accounts etc. I'll be interested to see what you think of it as and when you do see it :)