a nearly flawless attempt at visualizing an outstanding novel

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2010)

The movie is set in 1980s alternate reality when the position of superheroes is decreasing and a serious possibility of atomic war with Russia emerges. This is a fascinating, multi-layered story benefiting from more than stellar Snyder's direction. With the aid of cinematographer Larry Fong, he captures the unique style of the graphic novel. The movie looks mindblowing being perfectly staged and conceived. There are plenty of captivating slo-mo fight sequences that along with graphic violence are Snyder's trademark. The opening montage is especially unforgettable. Snyder also illustrates some crucial scenes with songs that work as brilliant pop-culture references. The performances are often spot-on with Jackie Earle Haley totally nailing the multi-dimensional psyche of Rorschach and Patrick Wilson who's great displaying more confident version of Nite Owl II. Overall, "Watchmen" is a nearly flawless attempt at visualizing an outstanding novel, it's an appropriately complex, brutal, and dark spectacle.