I've been cautiously optimistic about this even though i've been a fan of the book for years. I went to see it last night and i was very impressed with what they did. They cut what they had to, but nothing i thought was 'major'. ---Spoilers--- I know people are going to be up in arms about getting rid of the squid, but I actually think the ending was BETTER than the book. It makes more sense in context to frame dr. manhattan. It's not like they changed the ending to where they let roarshach live and kill ozymandias or anything off message. It gets to the same ending. Then again, i've always thought that the squid thing was silly, Alan Moore has a problem wrapping up stories...not just watchmen. I dont understand how they thought people couldnt handle it because of the destruction, because they still blow NYC up!
when everyone was talking about how they changed the ending, the first thing i thoght was that they weren't going to kill off rorshach so when it happened, it was a nice surprise, even though it wasnt supposed to be
I will just say, Rorschach made this movie, period. Being such an important component to the story and to see him played so flawlessly made it even that much better. I think Jackie Earle Haley made Walter Kovacs even creepier and harder without the Rorschach mask.
Just got back, I loved it ! Like mentioned its a movie adaption. They for sure cut a lot out and changed the ending, but honestly the stuff they cut wouldn't have actually added any more to the movie. Great flow, music, editing and special effects. Having read the comics I knew what was missing and was able to fill in the gaps inside my mind and I was fine with that. The end worked better film wise and if it was in the book it would have made sense also. I loved it, I will for sure buy it when it come out on blue ray, and cant wait to see the "black freighter " when the animated dvd comes gets released soon. >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zUgBK0-qbo <<
I saw it today and went in not expecting too much. While not the greatest movie ever (and the slow motion bugged me), it turned out much better than I expected. (Rorschach was great!) Think I will re-read the comic, since it has been about 10 years since I read it last.
Forgot to mention how good the soundtrack was. Never thought I'd hear music from Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, Wagner and My Chemical Romance in the same movie; all well worked within the scenes. The first time I heard Cohen's "Hallelujah", it was covered by Rufus Wainwright on a Sid Vicious memorial on YouTube. Perfect song for that bangin', soft porn scene inside Archie.
Saw it last night, and have to agree with Lamour and Lalo; of course it's not going to be as good as the book (how often does that happen, anyhow?) but it was certainly entertaining enough, and even though I thought there were major story gaps, my wife (who hasn't read the book) had no problems following it, so it was probably just me. Pluses: Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach (amazing), JD Morgan as the Comedian, and the overall tone, which was suitably subdued and depressing. Minuses: The fact that all involved seemed WAY too young for their characters, Snyder's slomo fetish, the over-the-top fight scenes (especially the final one, which just got silly), and the ridiculous sex scene, as well as the terrible Nixon impersonation - with all the CGI & $$, couldn't they have done a Forrest Gump-style "live" Nixon thing?. I also didn't quite get the ending change; in the book, the idea was that the world was united against a common, unknown threat. In the film, why would Russia not retaliate against the US, seeing as how Dr. Manhattan was a known agent of the US government, albeit supposedly in self-exile? For all that, though, it was much better than I expected, and I look forward to seeing it again.
I just got back, and considering my scathing pessimism was already in full effect (I was already ready to hate it) I'm really pleased. I was amazed at how well the eclectic soundtrack fit the film. My wife, who went into the film with no working knowledge of the Watchmen, or the mechanics of any comic book universe for that matter, wasn't as pleased. Either way, I was happy, ending and all. I thought the mostly b-list cast was fantastic, and it was nice to see some fresh(er) faces on the screen.
I also enjoyed it as a film adaptation. Although the soundtrack actually kind of made me want to gag. I think I will actually go watch it again.
I'm waiting until the crowds die down here in NYC...waited 20 years so what's a few more days. the one thing I heard was that there's little if any of the newspaper man and kid. I don't care about the Black Freighter, but those two characters are really important. I think it makes the end matter so much more when you care about the people who are getting "sacrificed." Leaving them out, to me, is a much bigger problem than the squid...
damn, that's so true... totally forgot about them going into the movie, that i really wasnt dissapointed about that
I just watched it. I think it was a damn good film adaptation and just a good MOVIE in general. The stuff that was left out/ changed is forgivable IMHO. It would've just been all over the place if they tried to include everything the graphic novel had to offer. I thought they did a pretty good job, and I was pleasantly surprised about how much actually didn't get cut out. And understandably many things were CUT, but not cut out completely. I appreciated that move. Sure it's not the graphic novel, but that's what the graphic novel is for I guess. I'm going to see it again.
Not having read the GN, I thought it was a really good film. Makes me want to read the original now. My favorite line... "Remember, I am not locked in here with you. You are locked in here with me!"
Saw it last night, loved it, can't wait to see it again. Incredibly tight for a three hour movie. I felt every scene belonged there. And I think the movie's ending is better than the comic. Subbing Dr. Manhattan for the squid strengthened his character arc, and you still have the showdown between him and Rorschach at the end, which I think is the heart of the whole story. (I can't help but think of that guy standing in front of the tank in Tiananmen Square when I think of that scene. I know that Watchmen predated this by two years, but that's always the association I had.) One question: was there some sort of backstory with Manhattan's first girlfriend and his mishap? Did she contribute to him getting locked in that chamber?
Well in the comic he goes back to the chamber to get the watch that he fixed for her, if I remember correctly in the movie it was different.
In the movie he just says he needed to get his watch. It's just that the way the actress handles it it almost looks like she's taking some sort of responsibility for him being in there. Probably not. I always go to this site for a good laugh after I see a movie I enjoy: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives ... en_li.html http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives ... anati.html http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives ... r_kid.html
From what I've read, Zack Snyder decided to compromise with the hard-core fans by replacing the giant Killer Squid in Manhattan with a 9" Killer Squid between Dr. Manhattan's legs: Just what I've read...
Ha. And while we're on the subject of toys, I'd love a little egg-sized die-cast Archimedes, so I can carry it around in my pocket and swoosh it through the air while nobody was looking.
Christ, Roger. We go back to ToyBox. Would it have killed you to have finished off the 'Ha' with an exclamation point?
Just came back from watching the movie. Have to agree w/ Alex on this. Great film adaptation from the comic. The soundtrack was a bit too weird for me. Some of the songs cut in so randomly. That one song playing when they were doing it in Archie, gag. Overall, loved it. The fight/action scenes were all pretty bad ass.
I do agree with the children thing and the action figures. This was by all means NOT for kids. Sadly the guy right behind me had his, what looked like 8 year old kid. I actually felt odd watching some scenes knowing he was behind me. Thats when I looked at my buddy and asked what was this rated again ?? I think the cinemas should step up and NOT allow anyone unless they show proper ID that they of age. Having read the book I knew what was gonna happen, but wasn't sure how it was gonna be handled on screen, I thought the ratings would have made them dumb it down, that wasn't the case. Other than that the articles are pretty much dead on, so I guess that makes me a sicko because I want to see it again Her reviews are a tad over the top and long winded. In her words ... "And you are no better than the lumpenproletariat lowlifes at the Coliseum who orgasmically watched and cheered when Christians were forced to fight animals. You are no different, and you are essentially chomping at the bit to go see the modern-day version, tonight. With people like you populating America and dominating pop culture offerings, I have no doubt that soon enough we will return to the days of the barbaric live human versus beast shows. You salivate at the chance to watch barbarism tonight. That's who you are." "Bottom line: If you're a "Watchmen" fan, there's something sick about you"
