[Movie Review] Watchmen
I personally really like reading graphic novels. And the Hollywood trend now is to create movies based on graphic novels or games. Some have succeeded (like 300) but others have disappointed. Watchmen is based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore with the same title. It has 12 issues. I watched My friend brought me to watch this movie in GSC Midvalley last Sunday evening.
Watchmen is set at a time where masked superheroes were once revered and adored by the public. Newspaper articles, publicity and fame. Soon after, the people weren’t happy with the vigilantes, demanding that the police do their job. So most of the heroes retired and proceeded to live normal lives. However, when the Comedian is mysteriously murdered, the heroes are come out of hiding to find out what is threatening them.
The movie was captivating from the very start. The intro of the movie was shot like “still 3d images” where the people in the scene were “frozen”- I have no other way of explaining it, you have to watch it yourself. The intro really gives you a glimpse of the current setting – 1985s, where the US was threatened by the possibility of a nuclear attack from the Soviets, and superheroes hug up their masks. I like how they gave this background without any dialog or making the movie longer.
The story then continues with how the public was fascinated with the superheroes who remained in the public eye: Adrian Veidt – formerly the superhero Ozymandias, the smartest man on earth, turned businessman – and Dr Manhattan (formerly Dr John Osterman) who is blue and “can restructure subatomic particles at will, perceive happenings on the subatomic level, live forever, resize himself at will and teleport.”
Then one day, one of the heroes – the Comedian, a man who has strength and is good in combat – suddenly gets murdered. Rorschach – a masked vigilante who wears a sock with changing ink blots over his head – is determined to find out who was behind it. In the process, he also gets set up.
The thing I really liked about this movie was how they portrayed the watchmen as human. Not like some god-like being who are so different that us. They make mistakes, they cry and they feel remorse.
Anyway, I really don’t want to write anymore without giving away too much. Point is, I found this movie entertaining. If you are looking for an action packed flick filled with fighting scenes and not much dialog, this is not the movie for you. If you are looking for something that is deeper and interesting, do go watch it.
Rating : 4.5 of 5 stars
11 Comments
alone
currently downloading it.
btw, u did a good review. it attracts me to watch it (i mean.. i didn’t tend to watch it the 1st time i saw the title)
thanks 4 sharing! =D
IcedNyior
this is one of those movies that are worth watching in the cinema. I dont think there’s a good copy out yet right?
Anyway, should be posting download links for the graphic novel tomorrow.
doctorpopcorn
Watchmen doesn’t deserve to be read digitally. That’s why I’m gonna go out and get the novels. Heard Kinokuniya and Borders have them. I wonder for how much though. Don’t really care I guess.
MaJa
where do u download it from? afaik , the dvdrip isnt available yet.
doctorpopcorn
I’m glad someone got the movie. Lol. Good concise review. Got straight to the point.
IcedNyior
Thanks :D
Perhaps the people who said it wasnt good couldn’t quite understand it. Well, different strokes for different folks i guess
sankai
rasa macam best..tapi tak tau lagi nak donlot ker tak…eheehehehhe
ariff
me and nik are envious of ppl who went to see the movie and havent read the graphic novel yet. they come in with a fresh perspective either loving it or hating it while those who have read it are coming in with a checklist :p dont get me wrong though, i loved the movie. zack tried to stay true to the novel but somethings only work in comic and doesnt seem to work on other media. it wud have been awesome though to see it as a 12 parter ina HBO mini series or something.
TehWateva
I liked the opening credits of the movie, the alternate histories potrayed was interesting. The songs used were awesome too,especially liked the sound of silence.
mixterr
i have watched already.. boring..
i thought Watchmen is action film… ceh!!
Christiaan
As much as I loved the graphic novel, I hated the movie. In my opinion, the movie was as shallow and empty as britney spears bald. There was no feeling in it for me…. Ice cold scenes without ever reaching my tiny little golden heart. And the president’s nose was way overrated!