Snyder gets it right!

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2009)

Whenever I read a book, in my mind, I try to picture it as a screenplay and how it would translate on screen. It was an exercise I had tried with Watchmen as well, but couldn't see it through... there is so much going on in the novel, that it always seemed an impossible task to get it done. On the other hand, if there was one piece of literature begging for a movie adaptation, it was this. Its good news then that the team did that so wonderfully!
The movie was as layered as a movie can be without it getting too boring. It gave us an insight into every major character by exploring their back-stories/motivations/arcs enough to give it enough substance, so that it all makes sense, even to the uninitiated, without getting too slow or boring.
Even though I see the book more as a philosophical treatise more than an action piece, Snyder does enough to raise the bar on the action front to make it enjoyable in that sense as well, by inserting engaging action sequences where there is scope.
Also the camera work is absolutely stunning, and for the most part hits it spot on. There has been some criticism of the music though, but I think the soundtrack sums up the movie very very well.
Of the performances, Patrick Wilson is the pick of the litter with a nuanced and sensitive portrayal of the character and his emotional depth. Jackie Earle Hailey as the super-cool Rorschach is awesome as well... I found Billy Crudup's Dr. Manhattan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Comedian extremely engaging. I don't think Matthew Goode can act as well as he thinks he can, and Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre is absolutely horrible, Its like she's in a school play!
Overall, I was very happy, right from the phenomenal opening title sequence, right down to the ending, with a few hiccoughs and gripes in between, they're too insignificant to complain about...
Watch it, its for anyone who likes their movies deep, layered, and more than just about men in masks running about, trying to make the world a better place.