Watchmen

[Steve O]

Originally Posted by onepixel

It was all right. A complex story with a bit to many sub-plots/characters/diversions that spanned decades. I'm still trying to figure out why Dr. Manhattan doesn't wear pants.

One capable of walking across the surface of the sun needs no pants?

[fotno]

The makers of any film based on an established full length text, have a real chore... On the one hand, they want to appeal to a known demographic and get those butts in a seat at the theater by staying true to the original story. On the other, if they try to include every character, every scenario, every internal thought process they alienate those who just wanna watch a movie, with an understandable story. Admittedly some directors do this sort of thing better than others. Look at some of the decisions that Peter Jackson made with Lord of the Rings. Major changes in and/or deleted characters and sub plots, large sections of all three books completely excised, but the films work and I think work well.

[Zeromancer]

Originally Posted by slow_jazz

I thought it was way tooo longgg....

Silk Specter/Lori was worth the price though. What a costume and body....

Director's Cut dvd will be longer

[markc2]

Originally Posted by Zeromancer

Director's Cut dvd will be longer

saw it twice so far, it was better the 2nd time.

[diddlybopper]

Very good movie and I know nothing of the comic books.Not my idea of "SUPERHERO'S.Can you imagine the chaos that a swearing Superman would have caused.Or if he'd of tore the heads of some of the villians??
I know,different times...Eddie Haskel tells Mr. Cleaver to go F__k himself!!I don't think so.
Ward Cleaver:"June darling I'm home"...
June Cleaver's Reply."I'm upstairs Ward With The Beaver" Couldn't happen today could it?

[DJTommyK]

Personally, being a fan of the book (collected the original comics back in the day), and subsequently seeing the movie, I thought it was well done. I particularly liked the sequence telling of the alternate history of the U.S. to "The Times They Are A Changin'". That, to me, bordered on brilliant. Loved it.

[markc2]

Originally Posted by DJTommyK

Personally, being a fan of the book (collected the original comics back in the day), and subsequently seeing the movie, I thought it was well done. I particularly liked the sequence telling of the alternate history of the U.S. to "The Times They Are A Changin'". That, to me, bordered on brilliant. Loved it.

yes it was That was probably the first moment to take it out of the comic book motif.

I can also imagine that possibly being someone's imputes to say "Hey, I like that, I need to find out more about that guy".

Mark

[Asha]

I saw it last night in the only cinema in our little town. I haven't read the novel yet (I'll be sure to get it now), so my experience was based solely on the film.

Two phrases came to me as the credits rolled: First, "Wow, that blew my mind". Second, "But, it was also a total mind-*#!".

I had skimmed one review previously, about how The Watchmen shows superheroes as flawed with human failings and that this concept is not as revolutionary or as fresh now (after the Dark Knight and Incredibles), as it was when the novel first came out. But I was still taken aback by the depth of this portrayal. Like DJTommyK, I, too, found the alternate history sequence leading up to 1985 very moving with its accompanying soundtrack.

One thing, though, this movie is definitely a strong R, and I don't think meant for young kids. A little boy, maybe about 6, was sitting behind me in a row by himself, just in front of his parents. He was very confused during the brutally violent opening battle involving The Comedian. He kept asking his parents out loud, what was going on, why was he doing that and who was the good guy or bad guy. Though, he got quiet after awhile, they still eventually lifted him up out of his seat and left with him. I think this was definitely the right decision, as I myself winced and was disturbed by several scenes in the movie. (I'm not saying the scenes were gratuitous, though, as they had a definite sobering impact, at least on me, and I felt they were related to the movie's overall theme).

As for the film's being too long, I did not get that impression. In fact, I was so engrossed in what was going on, and with trying to come to terms with it even on an emotional level, that I was surprised how late it was when I left the theatre. Though the film did have a lot going on, I also wasn’t lost or confused by the plot twists and turns, but I did have to pay close attention not to be (especially every time Dr. Manhattan shared his experience of time and memory with Laurie Jupiter).

In short, The Watchmen is one film I would definitely like to see again, especially if I can find it showing at an IMAX theatre. And, I look forward to reading the graphic novel soon, too.

[Netdewt]

Originally Posted by onepixel

I'm still trying to figure out why Dr. Manhattan doesn't wear pants.

I liked the movie a lot overall, but I thought this was a MAJOR DISTRACTION. A guy doesn't want to go to a comic book movie and see a well animated, huge, blue... yeah.

[markc2]

Originally Posted by Netdewt

I liked the movie a lot overall, but I thought this was a MAJOR DISTRACTION. A guy doesn't want to go to a comic book movie and see a well animated, huge, blue... yeah.

maybe some women do ????

[markc2]

Originally Posted by Asha

I saw it last night in the only cinema in our little town. I haven't read the novel yet (I'll be sure to get it now), so my experience was based solely on the film.

Two phrases came to me as the credits rolled: First, "Wow, that blew my mind". Second, "But, it was also a total mind-*#!".

I had skimmed one review previously, about how The Watchmen shows superheroes as flawed with human failings and that this concept is not as revolutionary or as fresh now (after the Dark Knight and Incredibles), as it was when the novel first came out. But I was still taken aback by the depth of this portrayal. Like DJTommyK, I, too, found the alternate history sequence leading up to 1985 very moving with its accompanying soundtrack.

One thing, though, this movie is definitely a strong R, and I don't think meant for young kids. A little boy, maybe about 6, was sitting behind me in a row by himself, just in front of his parents. He was very confused during the brutally violent opening battle involving The Comedian. He kept asking his parents out loud, what was going on, why was he doing that and who was the good guy or bad guy. Though, he got quiet after awhile, they still eventually lifted him up out of his seat and left with him. I think this was definitely the right decision, as I myself winced and was disturbed by several scenes in the movie. (I'm not saying the scenes were gratuitous, though, as they had a definite sobering impact, at least on me, and I felt they were related to the movie's overall theme).

As for the film's being too long, I did not get that impression. In fact, I was so engrossed in what was going on, and with trying to come to terms with it even on an emotional level, that I was surprised how late it was when I left the theatre. Though the film did have a lot going on, I also wasn’t lost or confused by the plot twists and turns, but I did have to pay close attention not to be (especially every time Dr. Manhattan shared his experience of time and memory with Laurie Jupiter).

In short, The Watchmen is one film I would definitely like to see again, especially if I can find it showing at an IMAX theatre. And, I look forward to reading the graphic novel soon, too.

Owlman is probably the best portrayal of a Superman type character, since Christopher Reeve. The glasses he was always fiddling with, the way he had a beer with the older Owlman, I also felt he sincerely wanted to help Laurie, outside of the fact he had a really bad crush on her. There was a genuineness to his portrayal, helping an old women across the street in a boy scout way.

BUT when they go into the jail, and the first thing you see him do is break a man's arm and see the bone go out the other side. Well nice isn't a word I would use. I really impressed with how he fought. He had the ideals to go along with it. His friendship with Rorschach also had a newish Batman/Superman quality to it. His reaction to Dr. Manhattan's dealing with Rorschach at the end was real to me.