Who will save us now from these kind of movies?

Rating: 2/10 (13 February 2011)

I'm one of those guys who didn't read the book before seeing this thing, and I highly doubt I would like to read it after seeing this.
The movie starts with very confusing history reel. We are introduced about 15 characters in few minutes while the opening credits are rolling. Then we jump straight into first action scene, fight between two people. The effects are quite nice and the fight choreography is good, but since I don't know who these people are, I'm not interested at all. After that, the actual story starts and we slowly get some details about the characters, some random details that is. The story telling in this movie is so awful that I cannot tell where to start. Out of the six main superheroes, only two have a background story in this movie. There is a lot of flashbacks to history, but about half of them doesn't bring anything reasonable into the story. There are also some other superheroes who are retired, or something. Actually, some of the main superheroes have also retired, or something. It's hard to tell, since the movie really doesn't explain stuff.
Calling these folk superheroes is bit misleading, since some of them are not super and some of them are not heroic. It is not clear how these folk got their powers or even if they have any powers. In one scene it is explained that they are just regular folk with costumes and in another scene it is explained that it would take an extraordinary person to take them out. Only one character is truly explained in the movie, Dr.Manhattan, that clearly has SUPERpowers. Part of the Rorschach's background is also revealed, making these two the most interesting characters in the movie. Unfortunately the movie decides to focus more on the Nite Owl and Silkspectre II characters, and the background stories of the characters who do not have much to do with the actual story.
There are some action scenes. When Rorschach is doing the action, it is awesome. When Owl-Spectre duo is doing the action, it is repetitive and dull. When these two are fighting, it's just loads of very poorly timed attacks and blocks. Rest of the characters seem just to focus on talking. We do see some action from the past, where our 'heroes' mostly kill and maim unarmed people with very little reason to do so. Nevertheless, it seems that this movie is not so much about action, but about deep characters, intelligent plot and mind blowing philosophic insights. As said, the characters are not presented well enough for the viewer to get into them. When their motivations are not clear, it's hard to understand their actions or whatever they are talking about. That leaves only the plot and philosophy to hold the movie together.
Story in short: There's a threat of nuclear war between USA and Soviet Union. Also, one of the heroes has been murdered. It's quite simple and very clearly presented. The problem lies in the totally ridiculous issues in the plot. First, the Dr.Manhattan is practically a god. He's like Superman and Professor Xavier at the same time. Yet, he seems to be focusing only in whining and his motivations are in several cases unbelievably retarded. Second, the logic behind the denouement is totally absurd. The movie is terrible long and just when I'm getting a grasp what's going on, and getting hyped on with the action, the movie tosses perhaps the most stupidest thing I ever encountered in my whole life on my face. It's hard to explain without giving spoilers, but it's truly insulting if you bother to think about it. So the story is quite simple and ruined with useless ending.
Some claim this movie to have bigger than life elements, and it does. Too bad that all these elements are as thin as a pool of kitty pee on the carpet. I do see that the movie tries to build some society philosophy insights, but only a brainless monkey would be startled with this movie. If you want to see a movie that makes you ponder the life and society, then go see La battaglia di Algeri or Le salaire de la peur. Those movies truly have some deeper meaning, but they also have good storytelling, unlike this mess.
If this movie was all about Rorschach, then it would have been great! But as it is, it's absolutely horrible and should be avoided, especially by those who haven't read the book.