Watchmen is Extraordinary

Rating: 10/10 (6 March 2009)

After decades of waisted time developing perhaps the most difficult book-to-film project in recent pop culture memory, fans and moviegoers finally get the Watchmen they deserve.
Zack Snyder's adaptation of Alan Moore's award winning graphic novel is the most faithful comic book adaptation anyone could have hoped for, coming from Hollywood. It's not even three hours long, and yet it manages to capture both the tone and themes of the source material, going as far as to totally replicate some of the sets, costumes, and angles, mostly including dialogue taken directly from the book. The score is a large part of the film, reminiscent of 'Blade Runner' and other 80's sci-fi cult classics. It also includes many songs from period-specific icons, which adds yet another layer to each scene. The action is astonishingly brutal; the viewer feeling every punch and cringing with every broken bone, severed limb, and exploding body. The film's violence may turn some viewers off, but it certainly worked for me. Contrary to popular belief, Snyder uses the slow motion effect quite sparingly, and when it is employed, it is to add tension and drama to a movement or moment that would otherwise pass by unnoticed.
The casting is superb. Jackie Earl Haley is Rorschach, Patrick Wilson is Nite Owl (II), Billy Crudup embodies Dr. Manahttan, Matthew Goode brings an arrogance to Ozymandias, and Malin Akerman (while notably the weaker of the ensemble) never fails to nail the moments of raw emotion and humor. Of course, while Jackie Earl Haley is perfect as Rorschach, my favorite character, and the one I most relate to, is Patrick Wilson's Dan Dreiberg/Night Owl II. I would even go as far to say that he improves upon the character in the graphic novel, adding to a layer of sympathy already laid out by Alan Moore.
Yes, there is still a lot left out, but these are minor details that do not directly effect the plot or character arcs. It is evident that Snyder tried his best to include at least a little of everything from the graphic novel, and fans can even look forward to an extensively expanded director's cut later this year. As for myself, I'll being seeing a second time in Imax very soon.