Dawn of the Hero-Complex

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2009)

This film was an experience and a joy to watch.
The visuals were breathtaking and unique. It had all the qualities of a massive spectacle.
Yet, the visual effects complemented the issues and themes that the film was trying to address such as nuclear proliferation, abuse of power, the human condition and so forth.
Furthermore, since this film is based on a comic book, the delivery of some of these themes never felt pretentious. Ironically, since the characters suffering from their existential turmoil are comic book characters, their emotions seemed to resonate stronger given the cynical nature of the story.
Many people have said that this film is a deconstruction of the comic book superhero and I agree. If we trace back the genealogy of comic book heroes, quite a few superhero comics have been utilized as propaganda. This film celebrates and shuns the golden age of superheroes and its' consequences.
The overt violence, sex, oldie and newbie rock worked as subversive symbolism which helped avoid any superhero movie clichés. It's also refreshing to see comic book heroes behave unpredictably.
Ultimately, Watchmen is a lot of things and delivers on many genres. This is one where you can go in with a huge bucket of buttery popcorn with your brain and heart turned on.