watchmen

watchmen

Watchmen
Watchmen is one of the most truthful film adaptation of a graphic novel that I have ever seen, and every frame will thrill many of its fans.   They'll say, "Wow, this is so much like the original!"   I think they'll be more thrilled by the movies loyalty to the novel in many of the scenes than by the movie itself.   On the other hand, if they haven’t been a watchmen follower they might wonder what the uproar is all about. As they leave the theater they might feel confused about the plot and disappointed that it wasn’t a traditional superhero movie.
Big ideas have a tendency to feel awkward and contrived on screen.   After the short intro we hit one of the best parts of the movie, the chronological medley of pictures and events that bring us from the 1940’s to 1985.   As good as it was, if you don’t know the characters and the historical significance of all the shots in the montage you’re left feeling confused which let’s face it not many college students are conscious of the events of Vietnam or the Cold War. You also get little to no introduction to the Minutemen. The soundtrack expresses a sense of time and place in addition to a great beat.   However, much of the back history and story lines are totally missed in the movie.   The victim is the books classic composition.   Watching this film is like trying to follow a discussion between two drug addicts.   The words and images are recognizable, but they don't correspond in a way that shows their natural meaning. Everything is just a really exciting, captivating blur. The profound meaning of the piece must be pulled together in our own intellect as we consider some pretty immense ideas about the character of personal liability, the existence of God, and the role of human love.
The graphic novel is splashy and blood-drenched, and induces a kind of delirium:   the reader's eyes race forward, circle back, and dart around the panels while the brain works to blend all the data.   Writer Alan Moore and...