A long film, but a faithful and excellent one

Rating: 8/10 (30 October 2013)

In an alternative reality, America in 1985 is home to a group of former superheroes who have now moved on. But when one of their members is killed in suspicious circumstances, the group is drawn back together; what they uncover could change the course of history as they know it.
For those how haven't read it, 'Watchmen' is a fantastic graphic novel, the first I ever read. From the excellent concept and story, to the beautiful artistry, the novel ranks rightfully as one of the best ever written. The film had a lot to live up to, and I came in with slight reservations. So rather than chop and change it too much, director Zack Snyder smartly does his best to stay true to the text. Now, this works both to his advantage and to his detriment.
The bad first, and it is one major criticism: 'Watchmen' is far too long. There are a few versions out there, and the one I watched clocked in at about two hours and forty minutes. Yes, it's engaging, and so much of the novel is retained in the book, but it requires a great deal of investment. And because the film is so closely adapted from the text, there are long periods where there is essentially a lull. For me, watching a near-three hour film, those lulls were a bit difficult to get through.
However, if you're able to get through the sheer length of the movie, what you're treated to is an extremely faithful and visceral adaptation. The film is violent and unflinching, with some fantastic casting choices. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian) and Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach) are the standout performers – the latter steals every scene he is in. In particular, Rorschach's scenes in the prison are great to watch, and he is exactly as I imagined he would be in the comic.
'Watchmen' also benefits from a very good soundtrack. The use of Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A'Changing' in the introductory sequence is the one that everyone raves about, and it is great (it's the perfect accompaniment as the film's place, time and atmosphere is established); however, there are also great songs from the likes of Simon & Garfunkel and Leonard Cohen littered in there, all adding to the spectacle. Snyder also uses the same colour and light tricks he did in '300', giving the visual quality a nice little sheen.
You don't really need to have read the graphic novel to enjoy the film, but I'd argue that knowing the source text will probably make you appreciate just how good the film is. You're going to see some excellent performances, and the story is thoroughly engaging; but as good as it is, it should not need to be close to three hours long.