Watchmen: Ocular Penetration

I am a watchmen junkie. I have read the graphic novel multiple times and have been watching the Watchmen: Motion Comic religiously. So I had my bases covered when going into the advanced screening for the film. In the end, I left the screening re-playing scenes in my head, thinking about certain bits of dialogue re-arranged, as well as being left puzzled in the wake of the film and most importantly, I was left wanting more. But, isn't that a good thing?

Did I attend the movie with my graphic novel in hand? Yes. Did I try to go page to page, chapter to chapter during the film? Well, I tried in the beginning. Not that everyone should, I felt I wanted to see how Synder would be pacing the film. A pace that turns out to be going by fast.

To say the least, Synder left little room to be bored with. Moving quickly through the chapters of the graphic novel, I felt that he was able to capture the constant movement from the novel, the type of movement that keeps you from turning each page in anticipation. But does the film move to quickly for the unexpecting and for those not familiar with the novel? Yes. Is that entirely
a bad thing? No, not by any means. However, will audiences hate the film because of these reasons? Again, I don't believe so, it will only make them want to see the film again and again in order to be in the know-how.

Focusing on the adaption of the novel to the film, we can't write the film off as it is now as either a success or a failure. Obviously, the studio exec's made Synder trim down the film to what we view it as currently, omitting the novels slow detective build up for a visual overload in the film. However, I believe it works great for the Watchmen.

The extended action scenes are way badass. No other way to describe it, Synder is all over that. Well done Zack.

The Comedian and Rorschach are both amazing. The actors truly became there characters. Silk Spectre II and Nite Owl II are everything you could ask for in the film. Dr.Manhattan voice shouldn't be so...human, but I understand why it isn't as cool sounding as it is in the Motion Comic. And in the end, Matthew Goode truly becomes Ozymandias. When the climatic fight scene at the end begins, with Nite Owl II and Rorschach fighting Ozy at the same time, there should be a true moment of happiness for any fan boy. Adrian Veidt is born on the silver screen.

Lastly, the soundtrack. Truly, the weakest part of the film. Thanks Tyler Bates for [frick]ing this one up. Soundtracks can make or break a film and while even Tyler Bates shitty attempt at the soundtrack doesn't ruin the film, it makes for obvious criticism. The original score is done quite nicely, especially when Manhattan gets to Mars. Pure cinematic heaven. Yet, the soundtrack with songs from Bob Dylan, KC & The Sunshine, Billie Holiday, Hendrix, Garfunkel and Nina Simone make the film more enjoyable, capturing the essence of the time periods throughout the film, the awkward Ride of the Valkyries during the Vietnam scenes make it feel way out of place. This isn't Apocalypse Now and it should've became one of the films centerpieces. I wasn't even taken that back with Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, it actually proved a nice break from the films relentless ongoings.

The there is the climatic ending and then the credits. Wanting to sit there and think about this great film was cut short by being blasted with the worst closing credits song ever, provided nonetheless by My Chemical Romance with the worst rendition of Desolation Row ever. [frick]ing horrendous. When the film ends, it certainly does end, just get up and leave. The quicker you get up and leave and you aren't subject to screaming bullshit will make the movie-going experience that much better. Who thought it was a good idea to have My Chemical Romance at the end of the film? It provides nothing but a headache after watching 2 1/2 hours of awesomeness. Tyler Bates dropped the ball on this one.

In the end, the moment of truth will come when the Directors Cut is released. Once the Tales of the Freighter is spliced in and once the extra hour of footage is added, only then will come the time to decide whether or not Synder did justice to the Watchmen. Until then, we are given quite the visual treat to watch over and over.

A job certainly well done. Bravo Zack Synder,

Cheers.