Watchmen

Review by Sean Lynch
More Watchmen : Exclusive Interview with Malin Akerman | View Trailer

Labeled as "unfilmable" by more than a few Hollywood heavyweights, the long-awaited comic book adaptation of Watchmen faces more uphill battles for acceptance than it might have had it hit cinemas five years ago.

The Dark Knight changed the comic-book genre landscape forever - for the better - showing up shallow blockbusters (like the woeful Fantastic Four films) for what they really were: junk.

So how, as a director, do you try to combat the dark intensity and originality of the second-highest grossing film of all time, while simultaneously doing justice to the Citizen Kane of comic books?

The answer is simple : Make it darker, make it grittier, make it fresher.

And that's exactly what Zack Snyder (director of 300) has achieved in spades...

Set in 1985 in an alternate America (in which costumed superheroes are part of everyday life) Watchmen is a complex, multi-layered murder mystery which delves into the political tension's between the USA and the Soviet Union: the "Doomsday Clock" is permanently set at five minutes to midnight.

The film sets off when a former colleague (named The Comedian) of the masked vigilante Rorschach is murdered.

He soon uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes and must reconnect with his former crime-fighting legion (an overweight and out-of-work group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers) in order to get a better glimpse at the disturbing conspiracy which could lead to catastrophic consequences.

With a running time of just over two and a half hours, Watchmen is the very definition of a unique and sprawling epic - a Gone With The Wind of the comic book world.

As with most comic book films, once you look past the absurdity of costumed superheroes (and Dr Manhattan's incessant need to traverse the Universe with his dong swinging about) Watchmen reveals itself to be a truly unique and giftedly layered ode to film noir and the classic Hollywood murder mysteries.

A stunning retro soundtrack teamed with Zack Snyder's trademark use of slow-mo (there are times where you could swear you are just watching a collection of Music Video clips edited together) gives the film a truly authentic, other-dimensional appeal.

The visuals are a daring delight, on par with The Matrix. 

They create a visual language the elevates what could be deemed as "self indulgent" into a grounded, well-developed and meticulously sculpted tale.

But it isn't all style over substance, with the script opting to delve deeply into the characters rather than exploiting CGI effects - a risky, yet ultimately rewarding, cinematic choice.

There are some stellar turns from the ensemble cast as well - the highlight delivered in the form of a chilling performance from Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach.

Most will remember his ever-so-creepy performance in Little Children, and it's more of the same here with his half Batman / half blood thirsty psychopath performance. Extra points for his ability to avoid "becoming a prison bitch" throughout some disturbingly bloody and graphic fight scenes with a midget.

While die hard fans of the comic book may not be riveted with the changes to the films ending, the finished product in ultimately a winner. However, I was informed on good authority from a rather famous Aussie Watchmen nerd that the film's ending seems to make more sense than the ending in the original book.

Original, violent and unparalleled in it's efforts for credible character driven storytelling - Watchmen is a triumph.

4 out of 5

Watchmen
Australian release: 5th March, 2009
Official Site: Watchmen
Cast: Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Jason Patric, Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman
Director: Zack Snyder