Good try, but it could have been so much more...

Rating: 7/10 (19 March 2009)

First things first, the movie is not on par with the original novel.
The majority of elements that stand out in the movie, such as the order that events are presented, come straight from the novel. Thats not to say Snyder hasn't added anything to this movie at all. His casting choices (Dr Manhattan and Rorschach particularly) and directing style are two redeeming qualities to mention a few. The films problem is this. The original novel was so dense and each character story so detailed that Snyder spent the majority of the movie establishing their back stories. Because of this, the first portion of the film was excellent, intriguing and well developed. However, once we're allowed to digest this information, its as if Snyder suddenly realises that he has to wrap the film up. The second half feels rushed and passionless. Apart from Rorschach (whose acting was excellent throughout), the rest of the watchmen seem almost dull and wooden as the film reaches its 'climax'. The second problem with the movie is actually Snyders fault. Although he claims to have stuck rigidly to the original material, (apart from the ending which he can be forgiven for) Snyder seems to have misunderstood Alan Moore's vision. The novel did present the Watchmen as anything more than vigilantes. Apart from Dr Manhattan, non of them actually had superpowers, unlike in the movie were the Watchmen are seen to punch through walls, fall from great heights etc.
In the end, its hats off to Snyder for filming the unfilmable...but... i can't help thinking it could have been something astonishing..