13/03/2009


WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN!

I did, yesterday, and although this film had me salivating increasingly, like a fat kid at Mickey D`s, since I heard of its conception, it did not disappoint. It's a fantastic movie completely true to the graphic novel except for a few minor details, I even heard the actors were chosen for their likeness to the characters, and pure eye candy. Cool soundtrack, interesting selection and used really well. The director kind of has a hard on for slow motion (he did 300), but he manages to reign it in so it doesn't feel like you've suddenly developed preternatural awareness. Yes this is a bad thing when you try to demonstrate these new found powers once you leave the theater.

But this film was subject to the increasingly common, double edged sword of hype. It was built upon the acclaim of its parent graphic novel, which is an amazing piece of literature everyone should read, but is still a giant of a small under appreciated medium. As such a lot of people will see this that wouldn’t have otherwise, and won’t enjoy it.


I got a sense of this during the film, there was an air of restlessness about. Some people just weren’t connecting with it. The vast complicated plot spans several decades, two generations and interweaves between very differing and complex characters. Without having read the novel it would be very hard to follow and the style of the movie is not that of the ordinary superhero movie that most people will expect. The action is far less frequent and more bluntly violent when it occurs. What makes up the rest of the nearly three hours is dialogue, which is dark gritty and smothering. You have to allow yourself to be immersed in it.

I think it’s interesting to note that the cert which is 16's here in Ireland was originally 18's but reduced on appeal. It highlights that although it is darkly violent it’s not simply for violence sake. This movie claims more depth than the average hero movie, not like Dark Knight which I think just used darker lighting as far as I could tell.


I can’t end without mentioning the nudity. It’s full frontal, it’s blue and it glows. If you’ve every had a thing for smurfs this is the closest you’ll get to porn. Big Popa Smurf aka Dr. Manhattan rarely wears clothes, try not to childishly giggle.


Go see it. And buy the graphic novel, preferably before seeing the movie if you think you've got time. In fact buy everything by Alan Moore. He’s a genius. Peace out.

by Ronan O'Neill

1 comment:

PuchO said...

remember: "The Legend"

Pucho.