'Watchmen' super-antiheroes with super super super problems!!!

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2009)

Snyder's 'Watchmen' is without any doubt a very powerful love letter to the original comic book. Other people have commented on this but it's true: there could not be a more faithful version than this one.
But let's start from the beginning The film is pretty much seen by the point of view of Rorschach (real name Walter Kovacs but don't call him like this or he'll chop you into pieces) a superhero who when investigating on the death of THE COMEDIAN and gets way more than what he bargained for. He, ironically like the other superheroes in this movie, is an anti-superhero. Actually, every single one of these so called 'heroes' are lunatics in their own rights. The aforementioned Rorschach a 'good psychopath', Nite Owl II with his 'sex problem', Dr. Manhattan apathy regarding the livings and hopefully you'll watch this movie so you'll see how colourful and disturbing (or colourless if you want) this list can be.
The story is a very complex thriller which involves every character's past with all of their twists and turns. The combat scenes (which have The Matrix feel to them) are absolutely spectacular  as well as the special effects. When you think that you got it, well you'll get it wrong (unless you have already read the comic book but hey this is cheating) Some characters will seem black and white and then you'll be surprised, shocked, appalled and even pleased when you find out why they behaved in a way or another. The best character is the dark psycho Rorschach  Alone he's worth the whole movie. Although you can't justify what he does you cannot understand his pain. Ah! And let's not forget that he gets the best lines. Well, when at one point in the movie he's in prison one of the prisoners confronts him. Needless to say that he ends badly for the opponent - he gets covered in boiling oil. When the guards (many!) take Rorschach away he yells to the shocked prisoners: 'I'm not locked in here with you! You're locked in here with ME!' 'Watchmen' is far from perfect (no doubt!). The problem is in the middle where the film really drags and the plot doesn't really move anywhere. Some could argue that it is an important moment because a huge number of important details of the story and characters backgrounds are fleshed out  fair enough. Let's mention the sometimes painful over use of the music/song which for many moments made me think that I was watching a series of music videos rather than a film... Fortunately Zack Snyder's doesn't linger too long on these moments andOK, OK I can forgive him because at the very beginning of the flick the history of WATCHMEN's parallel universe/world is told (yes beautifully) with a clever montage and (YES!!!) the song 'The Times They Are A'Changin' by Dylan is perfectly added. What about the sex scene between Silk Spectre II and Nite Owl II well let's forget about that one it was definitely more absurd than sexy.
There is not doubt that the universe depicted in this movie could not been handle by pussy cats like Spider Man, Superman or even Batman  the Dark Knight right?! This story is as hyper-real as it could get: Nixon serving is third term in the 80's, cold war between USA and USSR and the true meaning of peace on earth. Is it true that harmony amongst men can be only brought by fear, threats and lies? Watch WATCHMEN and find out...