*spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * If you really didn’t want any spoilers you shouldn’t be on this page *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert *
Ok, so I finally decided to go see Watchmen. I’ve heard a lot of views from people who really liked it or who really disliked it… mostly people I know didn’t like it. But since I read the comic just so I can actually go see it and know what’s going on, I wasn’t going to quit without trying… so I gave it a chance.
First of all I’m going to let it out of my system: *fangirl prancing around and chanting* Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach~~~
*turns back to normal (?) mode*
Needless to stress, I was very much pleasantly surprised by this film.
So I’ve realized that NYT isn’t the ideal spot to get a decent movie review, but my exposure and time are both limited and I really didn’t feel like going rottentomatoes. Here was a snippet from the review that worried me, A.O. Scott:
“Indeed, the ideal viewer — or reviewer, as the case may be — of the “Watchmen” movie would probably be a mid-’80s college sophomore with a smattering of Nietzsche, an extensive record collection and a comic-book nerd for a roommate.”
Ok, granted I had my share of Nietzsche (and yes, a roommie who was an English major with an extensive music collection though I admit I was the comic book nerd), but that doesn’t mean I want to sit through 2 ½ hours of Nietzsche. I find Nietzsche and Machiavelli both fascinating and an often refreshing break from the mass of post modern societal fragmentation theorists - but in limited doses because I find that most interesting philosophies tend to be depressing ones. I avoided reading most of the other reviews because I find myself disagreeing with them mostly and don’t intend on turning my review into one to rebuke all of the other reviews out there. My review is only to speak my own views. Comic book devotees and nay sayers need not respond (read). I’m perfectly fine with you hating me in your own heads.
Cast:This was one AMAZING cast. I was quite concerned about Rorschach, since he was my favorite character and WHO the heck was that that they chose to play him!? Ok, so my fears were proven irrelevant since Mr. Haley portrayed my dear Rorschach so wonderfully, including (thanks J) at the final scene, when he knew what was about to happen to him, there was a careful mingling of fear, desperation, and resolution in his face and voice. Meticulously done, like the much of rest of the movie (gotta give Mr. Snyder oodles of credit for that). My heart fluttered every time he carried out one of his brutal retaliations – it was so HIM!
As for Dr. M, every time he spoke my heart went all buttery and I screamed “Ashitaka!” silently. Yes, my acquaintance with Mr. Crudup as an actor has most been more associated with his voice. And whaddya know, this is precisely how he “appeared” for most of the movie. Dr. M isn't the most interesting character. Who has the patience to hear him go on and on about how time works for us is irrelevant to him and how our lives are really insignificant when put in the cosmic scope? But at least listening to Mr. Crudup made it sound pleasant! Some people complained that Goode’s Ozy wasn’t charismatic enough to carry the role of the villain. I admit. The one part that I found less than satisfactory was that Ozy’s background was all but completely left out, leaving the audience perhaps a tad bit baffled as to his motivation and inspiration. The Alexander the Great reference was briefly mentioned and his past was effectively blank.
Music:The score was excellent, and I don’t care what people say - the soundtrack is amazing. I’m not a fan of American 50-80’s music. Heck, I’d be hard pressed to find a 2000’s song that I can sing properly. However, whenever I am not familiar with the music itself I concentrate on the mood that the music evokes in me. I cannot claim to be much of a music critic, but I am somewhat sensitive to moods and voices/sounds by profession and personal inclinations. The songs that were included in the soundtrack just matched the whole “worn and time-weathered heroes in their sunset age” mood perfectly. They have half abandoned their ties to the real word but can’t help but continue to be immersed in and dragged along by the glories of the past and ideologies they once held (still hold), that plus the careful reconstruction of an alternate 80’s reality America setting mixed-in so well!
Storyline/adaptation:No matter which way you look at it, if you’re a fair person you have to say that this was probably more faithful to the original comic than anyone thought possible. The comic itself suffers from the lack of linear storytelling/narration (unlike other superhero comics), which I know drove a lot of people away from ever completing it. The same issue exists in the movie, but if the viewer can suspend his need for someone to latch onto emotionally, I think the movie works fine.
I know most fans are probably horrified at the missing giant-squid-from-space-but-really-Ozy’s-pet-project (pun intended) bit. Maybe I’m just not as attached to the comic as most people. I really don’t care much for the audience bursting into laughter (or claps and hoots, depending on which side you’re on) when the final scene rolls around. Having Dr. M as a perpetual global threat isn’t that hard to fathom (he’s leaving the galaxy anyway so he couldn’t care less) and really, even though we’re in post-Cold War era, do people really think the threat of Nuclear explosions/wars isn’t in the back of everyone’s heads? Why do you think we need a majority of the “diplomacy” in the world and does anyone remember the whole reason for the Iraqi war (*hint* WMD * hint *)? I ADMIT, I am curious about the squid myself, but I think I prefer the Dr. M switchover at least for the big screen. I had wondered before the movie how they would treat this part and I did notice the parts where Dr. M mentions working with Ozy on some new energy project (trying to create some relevance to present day world?). It’s interesting how they drew everything together at the end.
I have to say I wasn’t a fan of some of the dialogue they added. For example, at the end, when Sally says to Laurie: I don’t hate him because he gave me you (something to that effect). I mean, c’mon, that just totally took away from the irony of her whole twisted tale. I can’t decide whether or not I like Veidt rebuilding everything, but I guess that fits in to the overall theme of irony.
As for the lack of relevance to our present day world that Mr. Scott bemoaned, well, this is a COMIC BOOK and we’re in an ALTERNATE reality… or do we lack even the imagination to temporarily suspend our versions of the world now?
Direction:OMG! The art direction was spectacular! Ok, I know the stop-freezeframe-fastforward gimmick has been overused since its famous Matrix induction onto movie screens, but I personally just think that if something works well then why not use it. Who cares if it’s been used X amount of times? It’s not like we don’t recycle everything else “creative”. The montage at the beginning with accompanied the credits I liked for sheer stylistic reasons. I don’t see what the issue is with Dr. M not having any clothes on. It was in the comic and if people get all squeamish about seeing human genitals (already carefully blurred by an airy blue aura), the problem is in their own heads and it’s also their fault for bringing their kids to the theater assuming this is just any other “comic book” movie.
Rorschach and the Comedian both die for the same reason – to keep the plan a secret. But they also die in way fitting of the life they lived: the Comedian in the heart of the gutter he had chosen to mock, and Rorschach in the most extreme of landscapes where there is only one color – since for him there was only one way to live. It was a proper end for someone who would never compromise. His life was defined by his sense of righteousness, and be it right or wrong, at least he was consistent and true to himself. That in itself is admirable. An interesting detail was added to draw a link between the two deaths (one begins and the other ends the film): the dropping happy face pin, and Rorschach’s falling hat. Rorschach’s blood creating a Rorschach inkblot on the snow – striking white and red, poignant and harrowing, was one of the added scenes in the movie that really struck a cord in me.
So… yes I liked the movie.
Well, I’d like to mention at the very end that the three seconds featuring Gambit in the Wolverine preview before the movie also made the little fangirl in me squeal happily (don’t give me any c*** about him not really having any purpose!). Yes, I’m easy to please.
