An exhausting movie but fascinating

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2009)

This is an adaptation of Alan Moore's great graphic novel. It takes place in an alternate universe in the 1980s when Richard Nixon is still president. Super hero groups have been outlawed by the president. The former Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is savagely killed. Another hero named Rorschah (Jackie Earle Haley) investigates and notices former super heroes AND villains are being killed. Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson) and Silk Spectre II (Malin Ackerman) also know something is up. And the blue (and frequently nude) Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) sees something apocalyptic approaching...
If you haven't read the novel you might have a problem with this. There's WAY too much happening in the book to cram into one movie so this moves through characters and situations at light speed. Some subplots are dropped completely and the depressing tone of the book is lightened. There's also some pretty funny lines added to lighten things up. My favorites came when the main villain says, "I'm not some comic book super villain" and someone says (when it's mentioned Ronald Reagan might be running for president), "Nobody wants a cowboy as a president". Even with the changes this might confuse people who haven't read the book. I've read it multiple times so I wasn't confused. I went with a friend who never read it and she wasn't confused either! I guess it just depends on the person.
The movie is 165 minutes--it's long but I was never bored. The visuals are impressive and the special effects are just great. I was exhausted and depressed by the end of the movie but I love it. It's that rarity--an adult film not dumbed down for teenagers. Yes, it involves super heroes in silly costumes (Nite Owl II in particular) but the fights aren't fun. They're violent, VERY bloody and brutal...especially when the Comedian gets involved. He enjoys the violence and the film shows him going full blast. There's also a rape scene which is actually more upsetting than the bloody battles! The only fight sequence that wasn't too bloody or upsetting was when Nite Owl II and Silk Spectre II invade a prison and basically knock down about 30 or 40 prisoners in a few minutes! Fights aside this is also a mystery about what's going on and why. It's well-done and keeps you guessing till the end. Then there's nudity--there's plenty of nude full-frontal shots of Dr. Manhattan. But seriously--what's the problem? It's a penis. So what? Every guy has one! Supposedly this has upset people but the movie IS R rated and it fits the character. When I saw it my audience was dead quiet. Nobody seemed bothered or unnerved by it. If you're so prudish that a nude guy bothers you then perhaps you shouldn't see the movie. Great soundtrack too.
The acting is excellent. Morgan has the hardest role but he pulls it off. Wilson and Ackerman are sympathetic and nice without becoming TOO syrupy. As for Crudup I can't say how good he is. It's his voice but Manhattan is all CGI. All I'll say is that his voice matches the character. Haley is good too but his voice was way too caustic for the character. Carla Gugino also shines in a supporting role. Only Matthew Goode (as Ozymandies) disappoints. He seems to be holding back for some reason...but he's not in the movie much.
So a very violent, long and adult super hero movie. It's not for everybody but I was fascinated. A 10 all the way.