Watchmen (w/Spoilerz)

Sailor Steve · 03-10-09, 11:09 AM

Read the comic. Sorry, it wasn't composed as a graphic novel, but as a 12-issue comic back when. Didn't like it then. First, Moore wanted to use the old Charleton characters that DC had recently aquired. DC said no, so he invented his own rip-offs of the same characters and ran with them, and DC published it. I thought it was brilliant, but I didn't really like the story.

On thing Alan Moore doesn't understand at all is Americans. The set-up was preposterous from the start. Even if Manhattan and friends had ended the Vietnam war in a week, there is no way that would lead to the repeal of the 22nd Amendment and the multiple re-electing of the president in power at that time. But the story needed a reason to exist, so it got one.

Cut to the movie. I still didn't like the story, but it was well done. I liked all the actors, especially Carla Gugino who surprised me by playing the 67-year-old mom. I understand that one director who was considered said he'd only do it if he could make a miniseries.

The over-the-top violence didn't bother me, nor did the sex scene or even Manhattan's lack of inhibition. I thought it was kind of disjointed, and a lot of it needed to be either less, or more, depending on what you wanted to take out of it. I loved 'Archie', and the fact that they didn't even try to explain how 'he' worked. Very reminiscent of the Blue Beetle's 'Bug', and taken directly from it.

I liked a lot of little things they did with the movie, but on the whole I thought it was overdone and not worth the money. But then I felt the same way about Sin City and The Spirit. Maybe the Director's or even the Extended cut will be better.

Wolfehunter · 03-10-09, 01:07 PM

I like this movie I give it my two thumbs up

Oberon · 03-11-09, 12:48 PM

Pretty good really, never read the graphic novel, but recognise Moores style, loved the alternate history approach, but then again I'm a sucker for that. The soundtrack was awesome, and the setting pretty spot on, there were times I thought I was watching a film shot in the 80s, although that could have been Dreiburgs glasses

Rorshach kicked ass, particularly in the prison cell, but reminded me a little too much of another character Moore used, the Invisible Man, but nevertheless well played.

As for the blue man wang group, I honestly didn't notice it that much, but that's just his character I guess, like Falkirion said, he doesn't see things the way others do.

All in all, a good film, the sex scene was a bit unecessary, although the flamethrower was humorous (that got those of you who ain't seen the film curious, eh?

), dark, gritty, humourous in places, worth a look even if you've never read the graphic novel.

EDIT: One other thing, in the scene in Archimedes heading for Ozymandias's base, did anyone else expect to see Hueys flying to the soundtrack of Hendrix's cover of 'All along the watchtower'? It's just one of those songs that automatically makes you think of the Vietnam war.

Max2147 · 03-11-09, 01:07 PM

One thing I loved about the movie were all the Dr. Strangelove tidbits in the Nixon scenes.

Oberon · 03-11-09, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max2147

One thing I loved about the movie were all the Dr. Strangelove tidbits in the Nixon scenes.

I thought that set looked familiar!!

Etienne · 03-11-09, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max2147

One thing I loved about the movie were all the Dr. Strangelove tidbits in the Nixon scenes.

Gigantic tidbits. They had all the subtlety of a runaway freight train.

Rhodes · 03-17-09, 07:11 AM

Went to see the movie last night! Good one, great one. Possibly, until the date, the best adaptation of an alan moore comic.

IMHO the character that was not adapted was ozzymandias, the actor was too young and even if tried to give some "juice" to it, with was not a good choice.
I liked the sex scene, soft porn a la Zneyder (he did the same with 300, so any comic book with sex scenes that he is the director, he will put them in the movie. And if there isn't, he will put it anyway...), one can see the great shape of the body of silk spectre...

I do not like the end of the comic, but the movie made me miss it. I understand the why and it was a good idea to the movie, that what triggers world peace was Doc.
Three months from now, the directors cut will premier, so more scenes to the movie and the DVDs will have more. At least more scenes with the Minutemen and probable Mars!

03-10-09, 11:09 AM	#1
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Read the comic. Sorry, it wasn't composed as a graphic novel, but as a 12-issue comic back when. Didn't like it then. First, Moore wanted to use the old Charleton characters that DC had recently aquired. DC said no, so he invented his own rip-offs of the same characters and ran with them, and DC published it. I thought it was brilliant, but I didn't really like the story. On thing Alan Moore doesn't understand at all is Americans. The set-up was preposterous from the start. Even if Manhattan and friends had ended the Vietnam war in a week, there is no way that would lead to the repeal of the 22nd Amendment and the multiple re-electing of the president in power at that time. But the story needed a reason to exist, so it got one. Cut to the movie. I still didn't like the story, but it was well done. I liked all the actors, especially Carla Gugino who surprised me by playing the 67-year-old mom. I understand that one director who was considered said he'd only do it if he could make a miniseries. The over-the-top violence didn't bother me, nor did the sex scene or even Manhattan's lack of inhibition. I thought it was kind of disjointed, and a lot of it needed to be either less, or more, depending on what you wanted to take out of it. I loved 'Archie', and the fact that they didn't even try to explain how 'he' worked. Very reminiscent of the Blue Beetle's 'Bug', and taken directly from it. I liked a lot of little things they did with the movie, but on the whole I thought it was overdone and not worth the money. But then I felt the same way about Sin City and The Spirit. Maybe the Director's or even the Extended cut will be better. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

03-10-09, 01:07 PM	#2
Wolfehunter Crusty Capt. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,752 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 25	I like this movie I give it my two thumbs up __________________

03-17-09, 07:11 AM	#7
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,519 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Went to see the movie last night! Good one, great one. Possibly, until the date, the best adaptation of an alan moore comic. IMHO the character that was not adapted was ozzymandias, the actor was too young and even if tried to give some "juice" to it, with was not a good choice. I liked the sex scene, soft porn a la Zneyder (he did the same with 300, so any comic book with sex scenes that he is the director, he will put them in the movie. And if there isn't, he will put it anyway...), one can see the great shape of the body of silk spectre... I do not like the end of the comic, but the movie made me miss it. I understand the why and it was a good idea to the movie, that what triggers world peace was Doc. Three months from now, the directors cut will premier, so more scenes to the movie and the DVDs will have more. At least more scenes with the Minutemen and probable Mars! __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

03-11-09, 12:48 PM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Pretty good really, never read the graphic novel, but recognise Moores style, loved the alternate history approach, but then again I'm a sucker for that. The soundtrack was awesome, and the setting pretty spot on, there were times I thought I was watching a film shot in the 80s, although that could have been Dreiburgs glasses Rorshach kicked ass, particularly in the prison cell, but reminded me a little too much of another character Moore used, the Invisible Man, but nevertheless well played. As for the blue man wang group, I honestly didn't notice it that much, but that's just his character I guess, like Falkirion said, he doesn't see things the way others do. All in all, a good film, the sex scene was a bit unecessary, although the flamethrower was humorous (that got those of you who ain't seen the film curious, eh? ), dark, gritty, humourous in places, worth a look even if you've never read the graphic novel. EDIT: One other thing, in the scene in Archimedes heading for Ozymandias's base, did anyone else expect to see Hueys flying to the soundtrack of Hendrix's cover of 'All along the watchtower'? It's just one of those songs that automatically makes you think of the Vietnam war.

03-11-09, 01:07 PM	#4
Max2147 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 714 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	One thing I loved about the movie were all the Dr. Strangelove tidbits in the Nixon scenes.