A masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (17 March 2009)

For a few years now Hollywood has effectively been driving a silver stake through the heart of superhero movies by flogging them to death. "Watchmen" is a movie which isn't devalued by being released after a spate of superhero movies. For some reason, I've been watching these superhero movies. Sure, I like them, but how many of them have repeat viewing value? Not "Hulk", but "Hancock" definitely. In children's movies, "The Incredibles" was terrific. Not "The Dark Knight" either, though Heath Ledger's "The Joker" was the sum total of that movie's greatness.
Of all the superhero movies I've seen, "Watchmen" is the ONLY one I'd call great. The rest look boys' own adventures in comparison.
"Watchmen" will not be a movie for everybody. It's hardcore in parts. Here, in Australia, it is rated "MA". In my view, an "R" rating is warranted. There are scenes in this movie that would not look out of place in "The Texas chainsaw massacre" or "The day of the dead" or "Taxi driver". Perhaps its gore is on a par with the terrific "Sin City". The camera does not blink-there is much strong and bloody violence in this movie. Apart from the gore, there are also brutal fight scenes. No punches are pulled.
There is full frontal male nudity and sex scenes. "Watchmen" is also not an ideal 'chick flick' either, as there is a strong rape scene in this movie.
So, it's not my intent to put you off seeing this movie. Quite the opposite. Just be prepared for something a lot darker than "The Dark Knight". And if my preceeding descriptions of the movie have got you salivating with anticipation, then there is the flipside of this movie...it does try and get profound. More often than not, movies which try and do this bore one witless (as a kid, I remember "Star Trek: The motion picture" being a terminable bore). However, the intellectual musings of this movie work well...just be aware that it is in this movie, and if it not for you, you will have to wait a while for the 'good stuff'...though the opening of the movie does constitute 'the good stuff' too.
OK, how to liken this movie to others which may be touchstones for you? Think of it as part "Apocalypse now" (for the philosophising on the dark side of man), "2001: A space odyssey" (for general philosophising and delving into 'The Profound') and "Sin City" or "Taxi driver" for graphic violence.
No, "Watchmen" is not a movie for the kiddies. It is a very adult movie. It can be confronting if you are lulled into a false sense of security about superhero movies based on what you've recently seen.
Without going into the plot too much, it concerns a dystopian world where superheroes are being murdered for some unknown reason, by someone unknown. Having superheroes in a world can't but change the world...in this world, those changes include President Richard Nixon not leaving the White House in disgrace and hence continuing his term for another four years or more.
And the superheroes who do inhabit this world give rise to thoughts in the viewer: what is a superhero? Who is a superhero? As far as superheroes go, there is a colourful gang in this movie. Are some/none of them worthy of the moniker "superhero"?
About a week before I saw this film, I bought the comic book it was based on. Did not read it before watching this movie. So, I'm unbiased towards the movie in that I have no preconceptions as to what the movie has to live up to. Like "The Incredibles", having no great expectations for this movie allowed me to find the greatness in it, without being disappointed by any hype it may have had, or preconceptions. This movie did not disappoint...it exceeded all my expectations. Only a few cheesy glances between some characters struck the wrong note with me. Not enough to put me off this movie.
This movie deserves some Academy Award attention in 2009, I think. Like "Best film", "Best adapted screenplay" etc. A cast of unknowns does justice to the terrific story.
Unlike other superhero movies, this is a movie that will reward repeated viewings. It's depth assures that.
Essential viewing...for adults. Enjoy the stunning opening to this movie...and the great music which is employed throughout it.