Too much material for one film

Rating: 6/10 (4 March 2009)

Watchmen opened in Switzerland today and I caught one of the first screenings in Geneva.
It was a disappointment.
Those who've read the book will find it a shallow reflection of the original graphic novel. Some scenes are taken almost panel for panel from the book and a number of these are done very well. But the fundamental problem remains that even with over two hours running time there simply isn't enough time to explore the depth of the book. Major themes are heavily modified or completely absent, and equally often short cuts are taken. Much of the moral interest is lost and relations between the characters are hastily compressed into two or three lines of dialogue.
The same hasty treatment of the themes and characters are likely to confuse those who haven't read the book. Time and location changes quickly, both forward and backward, but with little clue to the viewer as to what is happening. We're given no reason to care about the characters, and the plot is tediously slow until it is suddenly explained in exposition at the end.
It evoked a couple of short laughs but for most of the film the audience was silent. As soon as the film finished everyone headed straight for the exit. Not a good sign.
Maybe a new, longer cut will repair some of the glaring flaws in this release. Until then, you'll have more fun reading the book.