Not terrible.

Rating: 7/10 (14 July 2009)

First off I'm in the "has read book, dreaded the movie" category but after finally watching the "watchmen" I can honestly say it was not terrible. I wont get into nitpicking about things that were left out or changes from the original material but will simply leave it by saying it was a faithful adaptation of the source.
That being said, Id like to put out there a few thoughts on the whole lead up to this film and the resistance in it being made. Those familiar with the history behind the potential of having this material made into a feature film know all to well the story of the original director who was tagged to make it's story. In a nutshell Terry Gilliam claimed that it was "unfilmable" except for maybe as a 10 part miniseries or something to that effect. In this I both agree and disagree. I believe it was Gilliam's feeling that something so rich and beautiful as the original graphic novel shouldn't be the victim of any sort of dumbing down or compromise. And that he was possibly afraid of the filmed material being tossed onto the bargain bin of film history. However I believe that the source could have been filmed given the right hands to craft it. Was Snyder the right man for the job? I don't know.. Nor do I think its a relevant point. Any director would have tried to place his/her spin on it.. as that is what directors do and get paid for. It was inevitable that the thing would have been shot as motion picture, Im pleased and satisfied that it was handled appropriately.
The feeling of having the piece lose its vibrancy and pertinence is a sentiment that I believe all of the original fans share. It was never about not filming "the watchmen" but more about having it not relegated to share the same shelf space in the sci-fi section as battlefield earth. The result, made by Snyder and co. unfortunately will not be a part of film history but hopefully in my opinion simply a stepping stone into discovering the wonderful piece of art that is the graphic novel.
It is faithful and yet lacking.. this missing element i hope will lead new people to the original source.