I have always been a fan of the watchmen book and have the original monthly first run books.
I had problems with the movie in that the violence was way over the top and was not necessary to the movie. Yes, I know that there is violence in the original comic book but it was not a graphic as this movie has made it.
This is NOT a kid’s movie in anyway shape or form and I saw parents taking their young kids to this R rated movie. How this got an R ratting I will never know. To give you an idea there were points where this movie was heading into the “Hostile” movie violence area.
Merlin McCarleysays
Even though they don’t contain a SINGLE female voice I think the Motion Comics win out by a large margain.
Billy Unosays
To much Manhattan Dong! Blech. This adaptation is fairly faithful, but in some ways TOO faithful, as it dragged in places where the comic filled in a lot of speech bubbles, with exposition, but nothing visually interesting was happening on the page. Yeah, that doesn’t translate well into a movie. The effects were really good, like the light reflections from Dr M and Rorschach’s mask, among other things. I thought the conclusion was, while different, at least satisfactory. Also they did a good job picking actors that very nearly resembled their comic counterparts. I have to say though that Rorschach stole the show for me. Jackie Earle Haley pulled of the gravelly voice, and the look just perfectly.
CaptKrassays
I really like it. Was real faithful to the story, I caught myself a couple times anticipating what was going to happen. I thought the cast choices were excellent, and they all did very well. I won’t be going to see it again in theaters (too expensive now a days), but look forward to owning it on DVD.
This is the way sci-fi movies should be made….full of rare moments of quiet reflection, looking at the heart of human nature and showing superheroes as more than just comicbook, cartoonish characters, but real people working through their own weaknessess and strengths found in humanity. I am of the opinion that time will reveal that all future superhero movies will be measured against Watchmen, just as after 1965 all outer space films have been measured against that other phenomenal film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Sihnonsays
Brilliant! It was faithful to the book in so many ways that the small changes worked, even for us original Watchmen fans. I was okay with the violence, because it completely worked into the true grittiness of the story. The Cold War terror was hard to portray to this 21st century/post-Cold War generation, but for those who do remember…it did well to show it. The casting was perfect and the special effects were spot-on. Again, I say brilliant!
Jeremy from Seattlesays
I enjoyed it, but was with a couple of ladies that didn’t like the violence, so my own empathy made me recoil from it with them (esp. the rape scene, wow, not for squeamish). But it was pretty much amazing. I do wish the ending was faithful to the book, BUT they did a really good, seamless job of working in the alternate. I can’t wait for the DVD with the Black Freighter storyline in there. When they showed the kid and the newsstand guy, I knew it would rock when all put together.
Ericsays
To answer Merlin McCarley comment: “Even though they don’t contain a SINGLE female voice I think the Motion Comics win out by a large margain.”
A good friend of mind worked on the motion comic and they had planned on having a female voice to go along with the other voice the that powers that be at WB said no, it had to be like a book on tape with only one voice.
KGsays
Seriously, it’s a penis people. Grow up. The movie was fairly faithful and I enjoyed that aspect. They threw in a few twists and edited down a few areas… but all in all… an enjoyable movie.
Faithful adaptation … possibly too faithful b/c I don’t think it’ll have legs for the non-geek movie-going crowd … no character presented (as in the graphic novel) where the viewer can make an emotional investment … maybe Snyder should’ve given Rorschach a puppy or something …
tallgrrlsays
Loved it! And fortunately I saw it with a bunch of people who were actually grown up enough to not snicker and giggle and comment about Dr Manhattan’s lack of clothing.
These are the people that “got it” that Dr Manhattan was so UNhuman that he didn’t feel the need to cover himself. (Shame is a socialized construct.)
I was happy with the ‘tweak’ with the ending. To me it works MUCH better than the end of the novel.
Snyder handled the density of the graphic novel very well, and I can’t wait for the director’s cut DVD.
Travissays
Worst movie ever. What has this world come to that you all call that entertainment?
Kent A says
Where is the I wish there were more codpieces in the movie option?
Arkle says
I enjoyed it a great deal
Eric says
I have always been a fan of the watchmen book and have the original monthly first run books.
I had problems with the movie in that the violence was way over the top and was not necessary to the movie. Yes, I know that there is violence in the original comic book but it was not a graphic as this movie has made it.
This is NOT a kid’s movie in anyway shape or form and I saw parents taking their young kids to this R rated movie. How this got an R ratting I will never know. To give you an idea there were points where this movie was heading into the “Hostile” movie violence area.
Merlin McCarley says
Even though they don’t contain a SINGLE female voice I think the Motion Comics win out by a large margain.
Billy Uno says
To much Manhattan Dong! Blech. This adaptation is fairly faithful, but in some ways TOO faithful, as it dragged in places where the comic filled in a lot of speech bubbles, with exposition, but nothing visually interesting was happening on the page. Yeah, that doesn’t translate well into a movie. The effects were really good, like the light reflections from Dr M and Rorschach’s mask, among other things. I thought the conclusion was, while different, at least satisfactory. Also they did a good job picking actors that very nearly resembled their comic counterparts. I have to say though that Rorschach stole the show for me. Jackie Earle Haley pulled of the gravelly voice, and the look just perfectly.
CaptKras says
I really like it. Was real faithful to the story, I caught myself a couple times anticipating what was going to happen. I thought the cast choices were excellent, and they all did very well. I won’t be going to see it again in theaters (too expensive now a days), but look forward to owning it on DVD.
Sam says
This is the way sci-fi movies should be made….full of rare moments of quiet reflection, looking at the heart of human nature and showing superheroes as more than just comicbook, cartoonish characters, but real people working through their own weaknessess and strengths found in humanity. I am of the opinion that time will reveal that all future superhero movies will be measured against Watchmen, just as after 1965 all outer space films have been measured against that other phenomenal film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Sihnon says
Brilliant! It was faithful to the book in so many ways that the small changes worked, even for us original Watchmen fans. I was okay with the violence, because it completely worked into the true grittiness of the story. The Cold War terror was hard to portray to this 21st century/post-Cold War generation, but for those who do remember…it did well to show it. The casting was perfect and the special effects were spot-on. Again, I say brilliant!
Jeremy from Seattle says
I enjoyed it, but was with a couple of ladies that didn’t like the violence, so my own empathy made me recoil from it with them (esp. the rape scene, wow, not for squeamish). But it was pretty much amazing. I do wish the ending was faithful to the book, BUT they did a really good, seamless job of working in the alternate. I can’t wait for the DVD with the Black Freighter storyline in there. When they showed the kid and the newsstand guy, I knew it would rock when all put together.
Eric says
To answer Merlin McCarley comment: “Even though they don’t contain a SINGLE female voice I think the Motion Comics win out by a large margain.”
A good friend of mind worked on the motion comic and they had planned on having a female voice to go along with the other voice the that powers that be at WB said no, it had to be like a book on tape with only one voice.
KG says
Seriously, it’s a penis people. Grow up. The movie was fairly faithful and I enjoyed that aspect. They threw in a few twists and edited down a few areas… but all in all… an enjoyable movie.
Bronzethumb from Australia says
“All hail Dr. Manhattan’s junk!”
Trekscribbler@yahoo.com says
Faithful adaptation … possibly too faithful b/c I don’t think it’ll have legs for the non-geek movie-going crowd … no character presented (as in the graphic novel) where the viewer can make an emotional investment … maybe Snyder should’ve given Rorschach a puppy or something …
tallgrrl says
Loved it! And fortunately I saw it with a bunch of people who were actually grown up enough to not snicker and giggle and comment about Dr Manhattan’s lack of clothing.
These are the people that “got it” that Dr Manhattan was so UNhuman that he didn’t feel the need to cover himself. (Shame is a socialized construct.)
I was happy with the ‘tweak’ with the ending. To me it works MUCH better than the end of the novel.
Snyder handled the density of the graphic novel very well, and I can’t wait for the director’s cut DVD.
Travis says
Worst movie ever. What has this world come to that you all call that entertainment?