When I first heard that Zack Snyder, the revolutionary cinematic director who provided us with Sin City and 300, was working on a new ‘superhero film’, I was far from screaming “This is Sparta!” However, if you were to go and watch Watchmen with the expectation of the overused hero-angst-due-to-being-accepted-by-the-public-whom-they-protect, then just like me, you would be dead wrong.Watchmen is not your average ‘superhero film’, its virtually not even a superhero film at all. None of the characters remotely resemble the typical do-gooder persona, but rather are selfish and tormented by the natural human instincts of lust, greed, revenge, pride, and envy. As for the story, it is as if the original creator of the comic series, Alan Moore, devised a murder mystery in the backdrop of a parallel universe to the Cold War and decided that ‘normal’ characters would be too simple, hence the superheros.
Rorschach. Rorschach, Rorschach, Rorschach. Arguably one of the best characters to have ever come to life on the screen, Rorschach, will take you on an emotional roller coaster as he continually commits acts which force the audience to reconsider their allegiance to the ‘good guys.’ That, coupled with Jackie Earle Haley’s awesome voice (move over Jeremy Irons), and comic relief makes Rorschach a character to enjoy and hope that, if there is ever a sequel or prequel, that he is definitely a main role.
In reference to sequel and prequels, it is clear that the film has an intensive back-story to each of the Watchmen members, so intensive that it could have been a film on its own. Yet I credit Snyder and his team for the somewhat perfect integration of flashback and present story. As for a sequel, I never thought I’d say this but I would like one, even though that would be near impossible seeing as the film covered the entire 12-part series in 160 minutes. And yes, that is another thing, this movie is rather lengthy, and for those who know me well, you all know I tend to hate movies over 100 minutes. However, with its exceptional story, special effects, script, character development, and overall originality, I did not look at the time once. I even recall hoping that it would keep going.
For the last month I had been secretly anticipating another superhero movie, and in the end I did not get one. I got something better instead. That was nearly as surprising as the ending of the movie itself.
One other important thing. In a change of tone…I know film piracy is big these days and I’m not being holy and saying it is wrong or right but: you are a wanker if you download this film and watch it on your pissy little computer screen with your ‘fully sick’ speaker system. This is one of those films that you must watch at the movies to receive the true experience and subsequent appreciation.
To end with,
WATCH WATCHMEN!
8.5/10
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