WATCHMEN (Warner Bros.)
Directed by Zack Snyder
For years we have witnessed some of our very own childhood superheroes come to life on the big screen, and during this time what used to only be in a small 6 x 10 narrative is now everywhere for the world to see. Sure, comic books and graphic novels still exist and yes, they still are popular among the people that actually go, buy and collect them. But, for the rest of us, who maybe didn’t grow up with these dynamic stories, it’s hard to understand just what it took to bring a graphic novel like WATCHMEN to the big screen. SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN may be the favorites amongst most fans, with BATMAN and X-MEN following close behind, but none of them have the depth and reality that WATCHMEN possess. I mean, just reading about this story, one can see how incredible it truly is, so for it to be displayed like it is in Zack Snyder’s own portrayal is quite a feat and one that should not be taken lightly. Because no matter how you look at it, this film has the potential to take some truly underground comics to a level they never thought was possible. If that alone doesn’t make you want to see it, then I don’t know what will.
Set back in 1985, the story weaves in and out of reality, but mostly centers on what has become one corrupt and dysfunction world, all behind the leadership of Richard Nixon, who just happens to be running for his third term. All this on the heels of a war with the Russians that appears to be more imminent by the day, while superheroes sit back and watch in disgust, not really knowing what to do about it anymore. That was until a fellow Watchmen, known only as The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), is thrown out of his apartment through a glass window by an unknown intruder. The result is obvious, but what would come next was not, as word spread to his former associates, mostly retired, of his tragic death. Not willing to just let this one go, Walter, a.k.a. Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) enlists the rest of his “old” crew to not only find out who was responsible for The Comedian’s death, but to bring them to justice by whatever means possible.
The crew, consisted of Rorschach, wearing a mask that changed according to his mood, Dan, a.k.a. Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), who was born of money and an itch to create and build complex machines; Laurie, a.k.a. Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), a second generation superhero fulfilling some prophecy her mom set out some 40 years earlier; Adrian, dubbed the “smartest man in the world,” but known to the Watchmen as Ozymandias (Matthew Goode) and finally the man that simply can’t get out of his own way, Jon Osterman, a.k.a. Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), who after a terrible government-laded scientific accident (aren’t they all?), is rendered blue and pretty much can do whatever he wants, including walking around with absolutely nothing on but his birthday suit, because when you’re that ripped, and blue, why wear clothes? But, not too soon after getting the group back together, they uncover a deeper meaning to the mystery behind The Comedian’s death and by the time the Watchmen figure it all out, not only are they in the middle of it, but several of their own are somehow behind it, resulting in one twisted and unusual conclusion that will have you wishing you could rewind for more clarification.
By now, we all know it’s rare to find some truly engaging performances in a superhero-laced film like WATCHMEN, which is why I go in with absolutely no expectations. Do that with any films of this genre and you just might be pleasantly surprised (i.e. Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT). Having said that, most of this cast fit it nicely with the 1985 era and maybe leading the pack was Jackie Earle Haley, who played the honorable sociopath Rorschach. In almost every scene he was cast, Haley shined proving there’s work for him when the story is right like it was here as his own Rorschach weaved in and out of dark alleys with a giant chip on his shoulder. And his presence alone set a tone to the film early on that this wasn’t your ordinary superhero flick and I like that. Then there’s Patrick Wilson, a guy we all forget about until he turns up a film like this, making you wonder why we don’t see or hear about him more. Because the truth is, he’s a great character actor and should be in more films, as his own Nite Owl proved to more than worthy when the time came to suit up and serve. Same went for Silk Spectre II, played by Malin Akerman, who for those that don’t know was last seen in the film 27 DRESSES, but someone that we should see more of, as she made the most of her character also known as Laurie Jupiter, despite the ridiculous lines given to her in parts.
Unfortunately, the guy you wanted more from was at the center of the story and reason the Watchmen all got back together. The Comedian was the fall guy, no pun intended, and it’s a shame because Jeffrey Dean Morgan stole each and every scene he was in, all be it very few. But, where Morgan was missed, Billy Crudup picked up with his Dr. Manhattan, an entirely CGI based character with Crudup’s own voice narrating. And truthfully, this character still has me a little stumped, as I just can’t wrap my mind around everything he was about, but I guess that’s why you read and watch the film again. But, make no mistake about it; Dr. Manhattan will undoubtedly be what you remember from this film, good or bad, because when it’s all said and done, when there’s a naked blue guy in the story, how could you remember anything else?
WATCHMEN, derived from graphic novelist Alan Moore is more than just a movie, it’s an event and I for one had no clue what to expect waking into this one. I don’t claim to be a fan of these underground graphic novels, all be it this one a bit more popular in certain circles, but I do know quality when I see it and I just can’t fathom any true fan of the actual written WATCHMEN be upset with this depiction. Director Zack Snyder (300) took this story almost word for word and molded it into a film that frankly many thought would never come to light, given the years and years of breakdowns and empty promises. And Snyder didn’t just do it justice, he took it beyond all that and made this film his own, which I can only imagine will help get some of these other well-respected underground graphic novels many of us do not know about onto the big screen. Sure, some may not work, but I would bet some would and show that there’s a lot more stories to be told, not just another version of SPIDER-MAN or SUPERMAN.
That being said, Snyder did not miss much, mixing in just the right amount of action to drama, along with a few gratuitous sexual situations and humor; all on the heels of one of the more spectacular CGI creations we have seen on the big screen, Dr. Manhattan. Call it what you want, but despite my own issues with not fully knowing the depths of this famed character, I was impressed and felt like there could be a whole film based on him. I mean, if Wolverine of X-MEN fame now has his own movie, why not Dr. Manhattan? Nevertheless, Zack Snyder stamped this movie just as he did with 300, creating some truly unique action sequences, throwing everything he could into the pot, all the while respecting the history of this story and everything that makes it the legend that it is. The result, well, was nothing short of spectacular, as there just isn’t much you can find wrong with this film. Yeah, it’s long, with an estimated running time of 162 minutes, but who cares. Given the story, it makes sense and honestly, I would have watched another 20 minutes if you let me.
Make no mistake about it, WATCHMEN is an R-rated film, so for any parents thinking this is just another superhero flick, you better read and understand what you’re walking into. This is not SPIDER-MAN or even THE DARK KNIGHT; this is WATCHMEN, a whole new era of superheroes, filled with overblown violence and sex, all built around a story that will have you guessing from start to finish.
B+
