WATCHMEN - A Review

As a huge fan of the graphic novel I was really excited to see this film last year. thought I would share with you this review I wrote after seeing it at the cinema for the first time.

When an ex-superhero known as The Comedian is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which which leads to a much more terrifying conclusion.

The look of the film was stunning and I think Zack Snyder got the balance right on what to put into the story and what to leave out this cinematic version and save for the extended DVD.
Rorschach and Nite Owl II were just how I imagined them to be in the flesh. I think Jackie Earle Haley really nailed Rorschach and Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II was very good.

It was a nice touch to have Nite Owl there when Rorschach died as it made for a more emotional scene compared to the book where he died alone with nobody there but Dr.Manhattan.
On the subject of Doctor Manhattan I might as well get out the way what everyone is talking about and that would be his very blue penis. I never really noticed it after the first time to be honest but I am glad they decided to keep him how he is for the film and not give him some permanent underwear as that was not what he was all about.

Maybe there would of been more of an uproar if it had been one of the human characters with their schlong forever hanging out?
As for the 'sex' scene on Archie (The ship) between Nite Owl II and Silk Spectre I would admit that seemed a bit out of place with the content and maybe should be cut down for the DVD. It was like watching poor porn (Or so I have heard) and it did make me chuckle for all the wrong reasons. I don't think what that was all about was really covered on film like it was in the book and so it came across completely different to what it should of been.

I will point out though that I do now have an interest in Malin Akerman after her role as Silk Spectre though.

I was also chuffed that the scenes from the book I wanted to see were in there. Don't read too much into my mental state about that please as they were mostly violent scenes involving Rorschach in prison.
I loved the cooking fat mutilation and the whole time he spent in prison although it was short compared to (dare I say it again) the book and I don't think he should of got his costume back straight away.

He was without it a while after he was freed in the book if I remember correctly.
I also did not see any problems with the look of President Nixon (some people have commented he looked fake) as I took it that he was just a caricature from the book and that was what was being aimed for.

Also the minor changes in the film really did not bother me at all and I would go as far to say in some respects it made it better. I really did not have a problem with the new ending either.
I think Zack Snyder has done a good job of bringing this film to the screen and he deserves praise considering the development hell this project has been in for well over twenty years. He has recieved a lot of stick from fans while making this and I think he has done a fine job.

I would go as far as saying Watchmen is probably the most faithful adaption of it's genre ever and unfortunately that also may be it's downfall when it comes to non-fans of the book. Do you need to read the novel to appreciate this movie? I think it would help but then I know people that have not read it and have really enjoyed it.
I love it though and I will 100% be going to see it again before it leaves my local cineworld