Imagine a 1980s where Nixon is still president, we won in Vietnam and we are closer than ever to nuclear annihilation. That's really the only interesting aspect of this graphic novel to film adaptation. There is not much of a movie here, so much as some stylized sets and costumes with a violently graphic fight sequence every 15-20 minutes.
The hype has been so big on this film, I figured that I needed to see it opening day. Apparently, it was a film that even one it's creators, Alan Moore didn't think could be made. Moore, I think was ignored of his admonishment. The original comics were written in the late 80s but I can see that there is a place for this material in our current time. What I also believe is that we have had enough reminders that America is its own worst enemy, but here we once again have a film guilting us up again.
The Watchmen are a second generation of vigilante heroes with great strength but not really any superpowers. That is except for Dr. Manhattan, who is a post-human with all sorts of powers, akin to one of the X-Men. The heroes had retired but then find themselves needed again after one of their own is killed. That is where the story could have gotten good, but instead, over two hours of the two hours and forty minutes of movie is filled with expository story. Some good performances were had by Patrick Wilson and Malin Akerman. I'd have to say Billy Crudup was also a standout, but we mostly had just his voice since his character was a computer composited humanoid. Jackie Earle Haley gives another fine performace following his turn in Little Children. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, who also made "300." Lucky for us he cut down on his use of chroma key, which allowed for a much more realistic, albeit heightened, setting.
The Watchmen comic enthusiasts will likely love the movie. Those of us that have not will mostly be left empty. I can understand that once again we have a movie turning the superhero concept on it's head, but give me something more than a reminder that mankind is greedy, destructive and has brought doom and gloom upon ourselves. The film is bleak and hardly escapist fair. (Rated R, 161 minutes)
