After having read most of the reviews from major critics on CNN, MSN, Roger Ebert and James Berardinelli I’ve come to one conclusion, except for Ebert, everybody else hated it. But oddly enough, none of the critics agree on what’s wrong with it. Some say it adheres too close the graphic novel, others say it doesn’t adhere enough to the graphic novel, the film is too plot heavy, there’s too much exposition, the acting sucks, and so on.
Personally, my wife and I were there in line at 11:20 pm in the theater, popcorn and cokes in our eager, sweaty, geeky hands to see it opening night at midnight. I hadn’t even wasted time to take off my tie as I left work and boogied to the local multiplex. Was I disappointed? Heck no! It is the first great film of 2009, and does what all great films does, it explores the human condition, poses complex questions that have no definitive answer, (Spoiler Alert!), in a story where the good guys don’t win and has an ambiguous finale where things could go one of many different ways. I think a problem many critics have is that they’re okay with cynical and nihilistic films if done by Igmar Bergman or the Coen Brothers, but when have it played out by masked men in tights, well then it is all just preposterous and silly, after all superhero movies are just two guys fighting and the good guy wins, end of story (which is why I think most critics hated The Spirit).
If so I feel sorry for them, because Watchmen does for superhero movies what the graphic novel did for comic books, takes it to the next level. Like the novel, the film is set in an alternative 1985, where Nixon has been re-elected for a fifth term and superheroes have been outlawed. The world teeters on the brink of a nuclear war between the U.S. and the USSR, with only the threat of retaliation from the Dr. Manhattan, a super powered being who works for the government, keeping the Soviets from launching nukes, but even that seems like a futile hope as the Soviets start stock piling missiles and the President keeps moving the military up through the Defcon levels. Into this enters a murder mystery, as one of the original heroes from the forties is murdered and a borderline psychotic street vigilante who refused to hang up his mask with the rest sees a conspiracy to get rid of all the costumed heroes permanently, and gets many of the retired heroes back into action where they uncover a personal betrayal to them and a plot that could destroy the world.
Into this plot are thrown characters such as the God like Dr. Manhattan who’s interest in the human race is disappearing, the retired Nite Owl, who’s sense of self worth and purpose in life were put in the closet along with his costume, Rorschach, who’s inner demons drive him to acts almost as heinous as the people he goes after and The Comedian, a sadistic murderer and rapist who discovers his government sanctioned deeds pale in comparison to the mystery villain’s plan he uncovers.
Most of the film does adhere to the graphic novel very closely, with the ocomic panels acting as a storyboard like in Sin City, but then it veers off in another direction toward the end that is an improvement on the original (sorry alien octopus fans). Yes the film is plot heavy with tons of exposition as characters discuss and what’s going on and argue with each other. The action builds gradually with more and more violence erupting the closer you get to the climax.
The acting is all top notch, with former teen star Jackie Earle Halley stealing the film as the deeply disturbed Rorschach in the comeback performance of a life time (blows Mickey Roarke’s highly touted Wrestler performance out of the water). His voice a raspy grunt as he catalogs all of the sins mankind displays, while ironically being the one who continues to defend mankind when everyone else gives up. His final scene with a world weary voice and tear stained eyes is a shocker of awesome acting and I hope he gets an Oscar for it, though I highly doubt it.
A lot of complaints have been lodged against Billy Crudup’s monotone line readings, but that’s just because they aren’t really listening to him. Under his flat voice is a steadily increasing sense of sadness that creeps through as he feels his humanity slipping further and further away and is unable to stop it as he completely disconnects from everyone around him.
I’m kind of surprised no one mentions Patrick Wilson’s excellent performance as Nite Owl. It is masterful as he gradually morphs from a listless man drifting through his now boring, uneventful life into accepting who and what he really is, becoming the dynamic costumed hero he once was. The speech he gives right before he puts his old costume on is one the most compelling and heartfelt in the fim as he finally voices all of his frustration and fear that has been builing up in him for years. I also like the change from the book of having him deliver the important line “Nothing ever ends” instead of Dr. Manhattan, as he is the real conscious of the group, and sees things a little more clearly than anyone else.
A friend at work told me that Jeffrey Dean Morgan was popular in romantic movies. If so, that phase of his career is over, there is no going back to chick flicks once you plays an out of control, gun totting creep who shoots the woman carrying his baby in the head, or beat up and try to rape a team mate. Morgan is scary and brutal in the role, and oddly persuasive in his responses to challenges to his actions. His diatribe to Dr. Manhattan in the afore mentioned murder scene is especially scathing and sadly true considering the other man’s actions, or lack there of, in the scene.
Critics also overlook Carla Gugino’s heartbreaking performance as one of the original heroes from the forties who is sinking into alcoholism from the shame of a dark family secret she has kept hidden for over thirty years from the daughter whom she forced to take over her mantle.
So to wrap up, I liked the movie. I think that if you are a fan of the graphic novel you will also like the film. Even if you are not into comic book movies, if you enjoy good cinema, then you will like this film. Like Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, and Star Wars, Watchmen is a true cinema experience to be savored over and over, getting something new out of it with each viewing.
