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I mentioned in another review posted today
that director Zack Snyder had two Blu-ray
releases hitting store shelves this week.
“300” was the one that I initially
wrote about… the second… “Watchmen.”
“Watchmen” had the distinction
of being simultaneously one of the ‘most
looked forward to’ and ‘least
looked forward to’ comic adaptations
to hit theaters. This is based on the phenomenal
success of writer Alan Moore’s “Watchmen”
12-issue series that came out way back in
1986 through 1987.
But to call it simply a comic book would
be to do it an injustice. It has been hailed
as paving the way for the term ‘Graphic
Novel’ and lives up to its reputation.
The combination of Moore’s writing
and Dave Gibbons artwork created an unforgettable
and to date, untouchable piece of work.
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I grew up reading comic books, but was not what
you would call a comic book geek. I read the collected
“Watchmen” when I was already in my
20’s as it had been recommend to me. I have
since read it many, many times. It is an awesome
piece of fiction, crafted in such a way as to
tell its story in a non-linear fashion yet remain
completely easy to follow. It also goes far beyond
what was at the time a typical comic in that not
all of the story was told in panel format. There
were ‘excerpts’ from fictional books
and newspapers, making the story that covers generations
seem all the more real… even possible. And
running in tandem was a story from a fictional
comic book, “Tales from the Black Freighter”
that is reads throughout by a minor character
in the ‘real’ comic. This story relates
to the growing paranoia of our characters. It’s
a brilliant piece of work.
The “Watchmen” referred to two separate
bands of superheroes from different decades, most
without any real powers, who took to the streets
as vigilantes to clean up the criminal element.
As the story hits the 60’s, their ranks
are joined by Dr. Manhattan, a scientist who through
a horrible accident becomes a nearly omnipotent
being. His existence leads to the winning of the
Vietnam War and the multiple terms of President
Nixon. As we come to the present… the 1980’s…
we find that superheroes have been outlawed, and
someone seems to be killing them in some strange
conspiracy. It is up to the one vigilante still
out on the streets, Rorschach, to find out the
truth.
These descriptions of the events that take place
in the graphic novel are simplistic at best. The
overall is much, much more fulfilling and detailed.
The psychological makeup of many of the characters,
most notably Rorschach, runs deep and dark. Reading
the graphic novel is an experience unlike any
other ‘comic’ I have ever read. My
hopes were that there could someday be a faithful
film adaptation, but I always expected those to
be in vain for something so utterly inadaptable.
“Watcvhmen” as a movie has been in
production on and off for over 20 years and it
wasn’t until a couple of years ago that
it appeared a green light was finally in the works.
The project was given to Zack Snyder, who had
previously helmed “Dawn of the Dead”
and “300” and initially I had my doubts,
but as soon as photos of the production and costumes
hit the internet, as well as the news that he
wisely chose to keep the main action on the 1980’s
as opposed to updating it, I felt there was a
chance I’d get what I hoped for.
Seeing “Watchmen” in the theater…
I was stunned. Obviously much had to be cut, or
it would have been a 5 hour movie, but what had
been kept delivered a living and breathing version
of what I had read so many times. The few changes
that were made I was okay with… with the
exception of the much talked about ending. I wasn’t
concerned with the ‘How’ of the final
act, but more do the reasons behind the main villain’s
actions. I didn’t feel they were clearly
stated to audiences. But that one point aside,
“Watchmen” was nothing short of fantastic.
I’ve heard a lot of rumblings about the
movie being too long (untrue), not long enough
(perhaps), boring (not a chance), confusing (not
if you have a brain), and many complaints about
seeing too much of Dr. Manhattan’s…
ummm… little Dr. Manhattan. This last point
was utterly ridiculous. These scenes were true
to the panels of the graphic novel and would only
concern those a little too homophobic for their
own good. And to be honest, I didn’t feel
these scenes were anywhere near as bad or as often
as was being talked about. Of course, parents
complained about this too… but to them I
say, “What the hell were you doing bringing
a kid to see a grown-up film? Don’t you
read?”
Anyhow, I also had to applaud Snyder’s
choice for his cast in most of the cases. The
most brilliant, of course, was the casting of
Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach. Whether you read
the graphic novel or not, his performance –
even under the mask – is absolutely riveting.
Taking what is in essence a psychologically twisted
character and turning him into the most clear-thinking
in the story the way he does is Oscar worthy.
He’s that good. Secondly I have to give
props to Jeffrey Dean Morgan for bringing “The
Comedian” to such vivid life. Every cigar
chomping moment is glorious, as much as his leanings
to depravity are shocking. The man was simply
awesome.
My only casting complaint was that of Matthew
Goode as Adrian Veidt, a.k.a. Ozymandias. In the
book, he was tall, handsome and incredibly athletic.
Goode is a very… well… ‘good’
actor, but physically he just really didn’t
fill the bill. He looked too thin and did not
portray the menace that the character needed to
completely sell it.
This week Warner Brothers is releasing a Director’s
Cut of “Watchmen” to DVD and Blu-ray.
I spent the other evening re-visiting the film
on Blu-ray and was very impressed with the overall
transfer. The image and color palette was nothing
short of gorgeous on my TV. This version also
adds 24 minutes to the theatrical version, and
while I cannot jump right up and point them all
out, I can say that the longer film is certainly
as good as the original. I enjoyed it just as
much… and am looking forward seeing an even
longer version down the road which will possibly
include not only more footage, but somehow intercut
scenes from “Tales from the Black Freighter.”
(Speaking of “Tales from the Black Freighter”,
I have to mention in this aside that the creators
of the film brilliantly adapted that part of the
story as an animated film, which was released
earlier this year. This release also includes
a ‘documentary’ based on the fictional
book “Under the Hood”, which plays
heavily in the graphic novel. My recommendation
is to get it, watch it and enjoy it. Along with
that there is also a ‘motion comic’,
which literally turns the original graphic novel
into a partially animated film. Again, I recommend.”
We now return you to your review… already
in progress…)
There are several versions of this release on
DVD and Blu-ray, but I recommend the 3-disc set.
It includes a Digital Download of the theatrical
version, as well as a multitude of extra features.
The first disc hits the ground running with its
‘Maximum Movie Mode’, which is presented
by Snyder. This picture-in-picture feature allows
you to explore the making of the film while watching
it. It’s a great use of technology and the
information here is very interesting, especially
for film students looking to learn some of the
newer tricks of the trade.
Once you get to the second disc, you’ll
find several featurettes. “The Phenomenon
– The Comic That Changed Comics” takes
a lengthy look at the original graphic novel,
while “Real Superheroes Real Vigilantes”
teaches a bit about the history of vigilantism.
“Mechanics – Technologies of a Fantastic
World” focuses more on the technologies
presented in the film. There are also Video Journals
and a Music Video for “Desolation Row”
by My Chemical Romance.
So despite what some critics might say, “Watchmen”
is an amazing film. This 3-disc Blu-ray release
belongs in any movie collection whose owner has
excellent taste.
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman, Billy
Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean
Morgan, Patrick Wilson
Extras: Immersive Maximum Movie Mode, The Phenomenon
– The Comic That Changed Comics, Real Superheroes
Real Vigilantes, Mechanics – Technologies
of a Fantastic World, Video Journals, Music Video
– “Desolation Row” by My Chemical
Romance
Specifications: 1080p High Definition (2.4:1),
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 7/21/2009
MPAA Rating: R
http://www.watchmenmovie.com
We'll give Watchmen: Director's Cut (Blu-ray)
an A+.
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