A Perfect Example of The Superhero Genre

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2012)

Firsts things first for this review, I watched this film a few months ago and at the time had never read the book. I was recommended this film by a friend who is obsessed by the book and film alike, and I must say I was very skeptical of this title for two main reasons;
1.) The trailer didn't really sell it for me, mainly as it didn't really give an insight to the story and seemed more interested in showing the effects to create Dr. Manhattan.
2.) Judging by the quality of most Superhero Films (e.g. Green Lantern, Spiderman, X-Men, Hulk etc.) I didn't expect much. Probably just having a casual disregard for the comics back story, instead having more focus on lame catchphrases and dull set pieces to hope a few drones will recognize the name half-heartedly and be willing to give up a few pounds for 2 hours or so of mind numbing boredom.
How wrong was I. I was very impressed by almost every aspect of this film, particularly the way it swaps between genre to genre; having noir- detective qualities for the scenes with Rorschach, typical superhero standards for the back story of Dr. Manhattan, to surprisingly real feelings of inadequacies and feeling of worthlessness with Nite Owl. This mix of genres blended together superbly, creating a film that can be watched by anyone.
The ensemble cast are excellent, particularly Rorschach, played perfectly by Jackie Earl Harley, who gives the very complex and difficult character with style, poise, and even having a few truly heartbreaking moments. Patrick Wilson was excellent as the insecure Nite Owl, Billy Cruddup gives a perfect monotonous genius to the difficult Manhattan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan creates a truly terrifying yet reasonable Comedian. Even model Malin Akerman gives a good turn at the pretty generic Silk Spectre. The only real let downs in the cast is Matthew Goode as Ozymandias, who just isn't as physically powerful and domineering as his "perfect" character should be.
The Soundtrack for the film, like almost all the elements of the film, is superbly done, right down to the haunting opening montage to Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" to "The Sound of Silence" playing in the funeral scene, to Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" in the penultimate scene. I can think of very few films, particularly made in the last few years, which have a soundtrack as superb as this one, blending, like the comic itself, popular culture and science fiction.
After reading the comic for the first time, I believe people do not truly appreciate the masterpiece that Snyder has created with Watchmen. He has created a film which follows the comic nearly frame for frame, something which is rarely achieved by a film of this calibre. Whilst Alan Moore may view his truly excellent comic masterpiece as elitist over Watchmen in the medium of film, I believe that Snyder has created a deeply complex and riveting Action Film that should take high ranks amongst Superhero films and the medium of Film itself.