Watchmen

[jaykhunter]

I realise that this will be an unpopular review. But it's my opinion, everyone's entitled to theirs. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 64%, and that'd actually be about right, IMO. I think their consensus got it spot on :

"Gritty and visually striking, Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, but its complex narrative structure may make it difficult for it to appeal to viewers not already familiar with the source material."

I'm sure you'd get a lot more about this film if you knew the plot inside-out already, but surely a great film doesn't need require extra-curricular reading!

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Watchmen Review

I wouldn't usually comment on films, but I wouldn't recommend this movie. Dark Knight is one of my favourite films, 300 was enjoyable but brainless, and Sin City was a gritty, entertaining story. Before I start, I have to say that I didn't read any of the Graphic Novels, and watched it with friends.

Good points about Watchmen :

• The budget is immense. The CGI is ridiculously sweet.
• It's highly stylised, art/direction is top notch, so the movie looks fantastic, and atmospheric.
• Action scenes are pretty cool.
• Alternate reality where Spoiler: Nixon gets a 2nd term is a pretty cool idea

Bad points :

• Most of the movie is spent introducing the characters
• The (extended) film clocks in at over 3 hours, so it can drag
• Despite lots of character exposition, I didn't care for them...except for Rorschach, who was pretty bad-ass.
• The plot only really gets exposition at the end, making the film one long grind. Honestly, two hours in, I wasn't engrossed
• Yeah yeah, it's been said a thousand times. But it's a god-damn VALID POINT! There's FAR TOO MUCH MALE PENIS. How does this make the film better? Get your God-damn speedos on! Seriously. There's so much penis in this movie. There's far more male nudity than female nudity. By A LOT. I understand that the extended cut has more nudity, but I think after 2 nudity scenes it's not necessary anymore. I don't think we needed any male or female nudity in the film.
• The actions scenes, although awesome, are very, very brief. It didn't satisfy. It's just not long enough.
• Johnny Omnipotent can turn back time and has every super-power you'd want. So what do I care what happens in the movie because Johnny Blue Penis can just undo it? (Maybe i'm thinking too plot-hole like)

OK, just one more grievance : Nothing happens in most of the movie. It takes so long to get the band back together, and by the time it does happen, who cares? We're already over 2 hours into the film! Spoiler: "You want me to save the world? NO! Wait, here's something you already know....OK, I've learned to love humans" BOO!

Overall I'd recommend NOT watching this film. It's a waste of time, unfortunately. If this had a better (or a faster-paced) plot I reckon it would've been awesome. Strip out the Penis, the grinding, and enact better plot, with lots of CGI and fight scenes - hell just Michael Bay the **** out of it. I'd rather brainless awesome action than pretentious stylized nothing. The comic book fanboys should be livid!

I know so many people who loved this film, online and off, so I'll probably give the film another try at some point. I understood the film, I just didn't enjoy it. Maybe it's just not my type of film.

[chin_grin]

That's the best on-the-fence review I've read!

Right heres my two. It was a great experience. An homage to the original text but that's as far as it goes. I will not watch (cof) it again. Nor will I sit an a$$ numbing three hours with special features to do so.

It was ok and yes did try to cram a lot of the deeply interwoven plots and sub plots in to it (while trying to keep the audience pacified), but overall it lacked what the fans of the comic wanted.

It is and always should be admired in its original and best format. The comic book. Translating this to the big screen was a mistake.