Comic Book Journal

I finally went to go see Watchmen and the end is nigh because the movie is better than the graphic novel. Now, don’t get me wrong the graphic novel was groundbreaking in numerous ways, but I never thought it would be the be-all-end-all of narrative storytelling in the industry. Yes, it was long and I think probably about twenty minutes could have been cut out without giving up any essential story, but it was almost three solid hours of pure engagement. What I liked most about the film, is even though it was a wonderful retelling Zach Snyder’s scene selection. He found a way to incorporate all the irony and emotion from Moore’s story into film and keep me engaged throughout. Sure, some purists will hate the flick because of the altered ending, but come on, do we really have to see the monster to get the point? Snyder trusts his audience will make the leap and form their own conclusions concerning the “monster” that society itself has become.

Let’s be clear, the film would not have worked it bigger A-listers had been cast as any of the characters. These actors and actresses did an excellent job and their performances could be oscar fodder. They did not overact and did a solid job interpreting the material. That’s what makes Watchmen as a film work. They do not just play men and women in capes and suits, they really internalize the written word and each did a fantastic job bringing life to these ‘everyman’ heroes.

Bear in mind, though this is not a movie to take the children too. Just because there are costumed heroes, does not mean this is an all-ages film. This movie, as well as the graphic novel, is intended for an adult audience only.

Here’s the bottom line: Watchmen is an extraordinary film of substance, but die hard purists and Moore followers might not enjoy it as much. On a scale of one to ten I’d give this one a solid nine and a half of ten. Go see this movie not because it’s comic book related, but because the story is still culturally important. For more comments on the movie see the prequel to this post at http://www.comicbookjournal.net/who-watches-the-watchmen-2/