Login
Watchmen is my favorite movie of all time, hands down.
This divisive neo-noir graphic novel adaptation is a film that, like The Dark Knight, destroys the superhero archetype...but in a much, much, MUCH more expansive and amazing way. I mean, good God. I could literally go on for pages about this, but I'll keep it concise. These are some of the most philosophically and psychologically-challenging heroes you will ever find, each one imperfect and each one unique.
You have the misogynistic, murderous Comedian - a man who sees the sick joke in life and chose to be a parody of it...his boiler suit representing his sadistic clown-like nature and his commando suit with black leather, red white and blue, and a yellow smiley face badge giving the last laugh to anyone who dares stand in his way. Then there's the distant, apathetic literal "superman" Dr. Manhattan, whose interest in saving humanity is little at best, a literal god whose sole personal relationship with the woman he loves becomes strained because of his ironic inability to properly understand and communicate. Then you have the boy scout and heart-of-gold nice guy Nite Owl II, following in the foot (or talon) steps of the original Nite Owl from the 50's. NO II's fascinations with birds, magic and aviation made him a great hero, but his literal and figurative impotence and complacency hold him from his potential. Then there's the reluctant, fickle Silk Spectre II who had to follow in her mother's stilettos - er, footsteps and just cannot seem to handle her personal relationships very well. Then there's the altruistic genius Ozymandias, who shrouds himself behind Batman & Robin-esque muscle armor and business suits, we find is still nothing more than just a human who wants to be a god, unlike Manhattan who is the exact opposite. And, of course, my favorite of the group, the badass to end all badasses: the dualistic-minded, violent, sociopathic and righteous avenger of justice Rorschach, a tortured soul and obvious product of the harshness that life can bring to a child.
Zack Snyder brought Alan Moore's classic graphic novel to life, again, putting his own directorial spin on it and making it his own, while still sticking to the source material. It's easier to do so, admittedly, since this was a limited series/book compared to Batman, which is a much larger franchise. There were so many perfect moments he nailed, like the opening credits. Seeing all those beautiful and unique characters I came to know through Moore's book being brought to life over Bob Dylan singing was, in all honesty, a spiritual experience. It helped change my entire perception of cinema. Also, I should point out the few major changes he made helped ease the story along and make the transition from page to film better.
I won't go on too much longer about it; I'll just leave it at this: Watchmen is the greatest adaptation of any book I have ever seen, and is a must-see for anyone.
