Watchmen

Penguinton · Post by **Penguinton** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:43 pm

Anyone else seen this movie yet? Having never read the graphic novel I had no idea what I was coming to see. I thought I was paying for a superhero action type film. This was not really not that type of film.

So I was kinda disappointed. But I don't think that's the films fault more like the advertisers. So I might see it again sometime when I'm in the mood for a philosophical/mystery type film. I might find I really like it.

What's everyone elses opinion of the film? Did it do a good job adapting from the Graphic novel? I heard they changed the ending.

ReiTheJelly · Post by **ReiTheJelly** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:50 pm

I was supposed to go see it tonight with some friends, but I think we'll go and do something else instead. The critics completely panned it. I've not read the graphic novel nor seen the trailers, but from what I've heard the film doesn't have a very coherent narrative.

[edit] I ended up seeing it. Not having read the comics or known anything about the plot ahead of time, I must admit that I did not really like it. The movie was way too long -- there were entire scenes which could have been cut and not harmed the film's continuity. While not the best film I've ever seen, it was not the worst. I guess I just don't have the patience for three hour movies. *shrug* (I was also miffed at having to pay $12.50 for an evening show, but that's a rant for another day)

Penguinton · Post by **Penguinton** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:56 pm

No it wasn't very hard to follow.

But it did have pretty slow pacing. Which was kinda bad for a three hour film. I felt every minute of it. The long nihilistic speeches didn't help. (which was my biggest complaint.) But it was coherent. It really wasn't bad but I can't call it good either. Maybe just because I kinda felt tricked into seeing a different type of film than I thought I paid for.

miz ducky · Post by **miz ducky** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:06 pm

I agree with you about the pacing. There were a few times I looked at my clock to see how far into the movie we were (aka. how much longer was left).
The long talking sessions were necessary for story but could have been done better.

I enjoyed it. I didn't really go in with any expectations because I have no idea what the comic was like. I think the opening actually does a very good job of explaining the setting and getting you used to the ideas that the film is built on.

blueheaven · Post by **blueheaven** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:33 pm

Watchmen was never a superhero story, but more of a political statement about an overreaching government and our reliance on good men to do something while the rest of us do nothing.

Penguinton · Post by **Penguinton** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:52 pm

blueheaven wrote:Watchmen was never a superhero story, but more of a political statement about and overreaching government and our reliance on good men to do something while the rest of us do nothing.

Yups. I learned that a wee bit too late.

All well. I'll know what i'm getting into next viewing.

blueheaven · Post by **blueheaven** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:39 pm

I hate it when theatres try and push films like this the wrong way. I remember a couple years ago when Bridge to Terabithia came out. As a teacher, I have read the book many times. When the trailer came out, they made it seem like Lord of the Rings meets My Girl. Turns out, the film was actually done VERY well. The result: Fans of the book were turned away, and those who didn't read it saw a different movie than they were promised.

Post by **JWR** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:03 pm

Well as one who to this day feels that Watchmen is one of the best comic stories written, I was a little worried as to what would be done with an extreamly complex storyline.

I was pleasently surprised and even with a few things changed from the graphic novel (I assume to keep it form being a 5 hour movie).

It was faithful to book and incorpertated a lot of the most memorable images that were in the book on screen.

Those not familier with the book might get put off by the pace of the story for the book actually came out in comic book form in 12 issues over a year and in each issue there was a lot of backstory which became quite important to the overall story.

It's a detective story that involves "costumed heros" and the background stuff makes their portrail more real.

hyelakingsfan · Post by **hyelakingsfan** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:37 am

i actually never read the comics but i did watch the movie. I agree with many that it sometimes dragged on and on and i also was a victim of looking at my watch a few times. However, the last hour made up for that. It was just insane. It kept me wanting more and more. Overall i would grade it at a 8.5. If i could just rate the last hour, that would be a different story. I believe the ending was amazing. Everything just made sense. All the pieces to the puzzle were there. If you have time and maybe just maybe some patience i would say you should go watch it. Its worth it

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:11 pm

Like Stranger then Fiction. From the previews I was expecting to see a Will Ferrell comedy. I had no clue it was a drama untill I was already into the film. And it made me cry Will you bastard.

beatrush · Post by **beatrush** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:02 pm

What baffled me about the movie was the amount of young children that went to see it despite the theater politely warning the parents that this movie may not be suitable for children.

All of them did not make it past the first scene with Dr Manhattan and all his blue glory.

Next week the theater had a sign that said "movie contains extreme graphic violence, sex and male & female nudity".

Overall, having read the graphic novel, I think they did a great job with the adaptation (or atleast the best they probably could have done without making it a 2 parter). I enjoyed it, especially how they nailed the character Rorschach. His depiction I though was bang on.

aernath · Post by **aernath** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:58 pm

1. Yeah? What was up with taking little kids to see that? I've never understood that mentality.

2. Rorschach! LOVED him! The only No Compromises, saying NO to Peace at Any Cost, .... I hated the ending they gave him. Symbolic, visually as well, but still. I felt he deserved better.

3. I found it interesting that they didn't show the rape, but showed us all of Dr. Manhattan. *cheer*

4. Yeah. Totally. blah blah blah HUGE PENIS blah blah blah
Saw it on an IMAX screen too.

My husband laughed and knew I was thinking: FAN SERVICE! the whole time.

5. It was kind of long, but each time I found myself thinking that, I'd think - but we haven't seen X backstory yet, and bang, they'd start in on that person's story, so I'd sit back and watch some more. PENIS. *snerk*
A lady off to my right finally blurted out that it was "pissing" her off. But it didn't piss her off that no one really got "justice", and everyone had to "settle" in some form or another?

4. Again.

Killua · Post by **Killua** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:00 pm

I thought it was a pretty good movie, and pretty darn faithful to the graphic novel which is my favorite.

blueheaven wrote: I hate it when theatres try and push films like this the wrong way. I remember a couple years ago when Bridge to Terabithia came out. As a teacher, I have read the book many times. When the trailer came out, they made it seem like Lord of the Rings meets My Girl. Turns out, the film was actually done VERY well. The result: Fans of the book were turned away, and those who didn't read it saw a different movie than they were promised.

I have this exact same pet peeve, and thought the exact same thing with Terabithia came out. I was extremely reticent to see it because I was afraid they had Lords of the Ring'd it up, but it was really faithful and a great movie. The advertising campaign really did a disservice to the movie and to the book, which was the first book that ever made me cry.

frozentime · Post by **frozentime** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:47 pm

I thought it was a very enjoyable movie, and wasn't bothered by the pacing. Actually, the pacing seemed very appropriate for the type of story. This is not a super hero action movie.

Also count me among those shocked at the number of children in attendance. Maybe I already knew too much about the material, but I didn't think it was advertised as kid friendly.

There seemed to be little middle ground with the reviews, but I think most reviewers go in with preconception of what "style" of move and super hero or animate movie is supposed to be and judge it by that. I don't always agree with Ebert, but I trust his open mindedness much more than others. I checked with his review before I went, and I believe he gave it 4 stars, so that was enough for me to give it a shot.

Captain Haddock · Post by **Captain Haddock** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:35 pm

I think I'll see this in a couple of weeks when both me and my house mate are both in a position to go and see it.

Having read it not too long ago I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I loved most of the characters, espechially the fact that both Dr Manhatten and Rorschach in their own ways admmitted to admiring the comedian, despite or perhaps becuase of his extreme nihlisim/freedom.

It's not your normal superhero yarn, infact if anything it's an inverted superhero tale in that all the characters are exposed as being as perfectly flawed as the rest of us. So if that wasn't what you were expecting then I can understand being disappointed. Rorschach is perhaps one of the most interesting characters though,

the vigilante who's uncompromising black and white morality essentially leads to the inevitablity of his own demise.

Yeah I've been a recent Moore convert...