Review - Watchmen

Studio/Production Company: Warner Brothers/Paramount Pictures
Director: Zack Snyder
Written by: David Hayter and Alex Tse (graphic novel by Alan Moore)
Rating: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality and nudity.
Release Date: March 6, 2009 (theatrical)
Genre: Action/Drama
Strong Points: Awesome visuals are met with smart direction by Zack Snyder, and strong performances by the actors; it’s a story with so many themes and messages that it requires several viewings to absorb everything and much thought to properly understood
Weak Points: Suffers from occasional narrative lull
Technical Score: A
Artistic Score: A
Final Score (not an average): A-
Moral Warnings: The violence is gritty, dark and graphic. It is used only when necessary to carry the plot forward, but when it appears, it is gruesome and occasionally disturbing (for example, one scene shows in detail a man’s arms being cut off with a chain saw while he is still alive, then dying from blood loss/trauma); language is frequent, with the F-word popping up 20 times or so; there is an extended sex scene where bare breasts and buttocks are shown; one of the characters is often naked (he glows with blue energy, which takes away some of the realism, but his genitals are not often covered)


For those who don’t know, this movie is based off of the graphic novel of the same name. It totaled 12 issues, which were released between September of 1986 and October of 1987 and then went on to become basically what the movie trailer called it - the most celebrated graphic novel of all time. Watchmen introduced the world to an alternative 1985 America - one where masked avengers were not confined to comic books, but were a part of history.

The movie is the closest thing to a panel-by-panel adaptation that one can get. The problem with this is that, while it will almost certainly please the fans, it runs the risk of confusing the wider audience that haven’t read it. Critics have been quite split on this issue, and I guess I’m one of those that took Watchmen for brilliance. I had no trouble at all following the plot nor understanding the characters (though the film certainly rewards study after the initial viewing).

As previously mentioned, Watchmen takes place in an alternative 1985 America (mostly New York). This America is darker, grittier, and at the same time recognizable. Unlike most superhero films, Watchmen doesn’t require much of an active suspension of disbelief, as its alternate reality really isn’t all that hard to accept as a possibility. It’s an America that could have been and still could be. That alone is a chilling thought.

What brought this nation to such a despairing state? A collection of things, no doubt, but ultimately it’s fear. An energy crisis has caused the Cold War to escalate to dangerous levels, and its effect on the American citizenry is disgusting. Rampant crime, riots, and prostitution are the norm. At one point, costumed heroes would have been expected to help quell these problems, but “masks” have recently been outlawed, due mostly to the public’s violent demand for it and the government’s desire to keep the peace. And now, amidst all this chaos and fear, someone is one by one assassinating the retired vigilantes that once referred to themselves as Watchmen.

I won’t give away any more of the story, as it really is a delight to watch unfold, though it’s not without its issues. The plot briefly suffers from the two words no director or screenwriter wants associated with his film - narrative lull. But this was mostly because of backstory on the characters, and while it did temporarily disrupt the natural flow that carried the rest of the plot, the backstory is well done and was interesting enough to hold my attention. Probably because I don’t get bored when people aren’t slamming knives through other people’s elbows and cutting off arms with chain saws.

Or maybe that’s just me.

Even so, there is plenty of action/gore to go around for the action/gore buffs, and the rest of us will be impressed anyway. Watchmen is directed by Zack Snyder, who caused quite the stir with his 2007 blockbuster hit 300. 300 featured some of the most incredible action visuals ever seen in cinema, as well as some of the lamest dialogue and most uninspired of plots. Granted, it wasn’t mean to be anything more thant an action flick, but it nonetheless remains a film of very, very little substance.

Watchmen combines those impressive visuals with everything that 300 lacked - a great script, great characters, great acting, a fantastic plot, themes, a message, and, of course, substance. So while action is nowhere near the core of the film, when it shows up, it’s a thing of beauty. They’re the kind of action/fight scenes that you look up randomly on YouTube just to again experience the greatness (and I will openly admit to having already done this). But the beauty is not just in the action. The whole visual style of the film is based around Dave Gibbon’s art work on the graphic novel, which means that the movie is pretty much cinematic eye candy from start to finish.

Yet as good and impressive of a film as Watchmen is, I couldn’t go around suggesting it to everyone I know. It’s a dark, sinister, mature movie - the kind that doesn’t hold punches, and lets the punches land hard. Humanity is depicted through the blackest of lenses, touching even on rape and the murdering of children. When violence occurs, it is often graphic and can be disturbing, depending on the viewer. Language is certainly present, and there is an extended sex scene with nudity (breasts and buttocks are shown). This all reflects the degenerate world that Watchmen takes place in, but it is a world that some will likely not feel comfortable entering.

In the end, Watchmen is a haunting piece of cinema. Its faithfulness to the graphic novel will please fans, and those that haven’t read it will find a film that deserves and rewards study and discussion. Not everyone will be able to appreciate its depth, which is unfortunate, as in the depth there is much to appreciate.

-Zak Mellgren (zak@revolve21.com)