Sidewalks On The Corner

“Watchmen” explodes onto the big screen with gritty, violent and loud results. Set in an alternate 1985, the film explores two generations of superheroes on the brink of a nuclear war that threatens to wipe out mankind.

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WATCHMEN
Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Produced by: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder
Executive Produced by: Herbert W. Gains
Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer

Studio Synopsis
A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, “Watchmen” is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the Watchmen?

“Watchman” is directed by Zack Snyder (“300”) and produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay is by David Hayter, based upon the graphic novel co-created and illustrated by Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics. Herbert W. Gains and Thomas Tull are the executive producers.

Playing the film’s core group of “masks,” the masked adventurers at the center of the story, are Malin Akerman (“27 Dresses”) as Laurie Juspeczyk, aka Silk Spectre 2; Billy Crudup (“The Good Shepherd”) as Jon Osterman, aka Dr. Manhattan; Matthew Goode (“Match Point”) as Adrian Veidt, aka Ozymandias; Carla Gugino (“Night at the Museum”) as Sally Jupiter aka Silk Spectre; Oscar® nominee Jackie Earle Haley (“Little Children”) as Walter Kovacs, aka Rorschach; Stephen McHattie (“Shoot ‘em Up”) as Hollis Mason, aka Nite Owl; Jeffrey Dean Morgan (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”) as Edward Blake, aka the Comedian; and Patrick Wilson (“Little Children”) as Dan Dreiberg, aka Nite Owl 2.

Joining Snyder behind the scenes are director of photography Larry Fong (“300”), production designer Alex McDowell (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), editor William Hoy (“300”), costume designer Michael Wilkinson (“300”), and visual effects supervisor John ‘D.J.’ DesJardin (“The Kingdom”). The music is by Tyler Bates (“300”).

Watchmen was originally published by DC Comics as a 12-comic book series between 1986 and 1987, before subsequently being collected into a trade paperback. It is the only graphic novel to win the prestigious Hugo Award or to be named among Time magazine’s “100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to the Present.”

Nite Owl II (PATRICK WILSON) fights off a rioting prisoner as Silk Spectre II (MALIN AKERMAN) lends a hand in Warner Bros. Pictures', Paramount Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action adventure "Watchmen," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Clay Enos.

J.P. Take's

What I liked:
I like the intriguing multi-layered story line which involves a new generation of heroes, also named "Watchmen," who are trying to stop a nuclear holocaust. While in the midst of the fight to save humanity, their lives flash before their eyes. They are also faced with the mysterious deaths of several members of the original "Watchmen," while trying to bring the new group back together. That's a lot to think about. However, the intertwined pieces fit together like a well planned puzzle; very nicely leading to an ending that makes perfect since. The subplot is easy to follow even if you don't know anything about the "Watchmen," I feel the audience should be able to follow it.

The reason is simple, it's one that most superhero movies have adopted over time, man’s inhumanity toward man, and the only people who can save them from themselves are superhuman. I loved learning more about the characters, because each character had their own quirks and problems. In my opinion, "Watchmen" is presented in an unconventional way, with flash backs of how they came to be and where they stand in their fight. This helped in character development as the lives of each character eventually cross paths to complete the story. I also liked the fact that it pokes fun at itself. Towards the end, Ozymandias (Matthew Goode) stands there at his throne and says, "What do you think I am a supervillian from some comic book." There is a sense of humor through out the movie.

Visually "Watchmen" is highly surreal to watch. The costumes and landscapes are rich with color, at the same time, dark overtones gives it a film noir feel similar to the movie, "Sin City." Staying true to the feel of a graphic novel, you can expect fast paced, stylized violence which is almost "Matrix" like. As for the actors, I could go on about how well they played their characters, so instead I'll just say that they really did good job bringing the graphic novel to life.

What I didn't like:
This film is 2hr 40min. Too long. I'm all for telling a good story, it's just that drawn out fighting and long winded speeches about the barbaric acts of men were not needed. They should have definitely cut down the seemingly endless fights and battles that really doesn't do anymore than to move the movie along. The dialogue got too preachy with the message to the point where it was redundant and unnecessary. As good as these things were, after a while, I didn't care anymore. Less mind numbing dialogue and knock down drag out fights make for a streamlined, entertaining and attention grabbing experience.

This film has truly earned its hard R rating with gratuitous soft porn, bloody, and bone crunching violence. The story is interesting enough to follow and the conclusion is plausible. On the plus side, you get an intense action packed experience, while exploring the lives and deaths of superheroes in an unique way. I feel "Watchmen" will definitely spark a new cult following, whether you're an original fan or a novice. I got a huge kick of it.

Header photo: PATRICK WILSON as Nite Owl II, MALIN AKERMAN as Silk Spectre II and JACKIE EARLE HALEY as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures', Paramount Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action adventure "Watchmen," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures