Snyder's best so far

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2010)

The superhero/superhuman has often been scrutinised, parodied, or brought down to earth within the world of the comic book or movie screen. The Incredibles looked at how superheroes would cope if forced into civilian life. The Civil War posed the question of whether superheroes are subject to the law or, by virtue of the work they do, immune from it. The Civil War also looked at how superheroes and superhumans would react to the question. Kick Ass, showed what would happen if real people decided to become masked vigilantes. Watchmen, even though based on a graphic novel written before either The Incredibles or Civil War, takes the scrutiny and parody in a different direction.
In what is Snyder's best movie to date, the superhumans are "super", their abilities beyond other humans. However, their "hero" status is dependent on the public's perception of them. Masked vigilantes, with abilities, are popular when they first emerge in the pre-war America (1920s-1930s); they can pose with the police, they smile for the camera, they are depicted on war planes and can act gay in public in early post war America, and are also happily received if they reveal their secret identity. Their "hero" status is only sustained because of positive public opinion. The Comedian a sadistic, racist, womanizing, rapist, who shoots his pregnant girlfriend (all unknown to the public) is a hero because he fights for his country. Whether people know or even care about his tendency to delight in burning Vietnamese alive is another matter. Ozymandius, is popular because he has given up heroics, and is the Bono of the movie. Roarscharch is hunted and regarded as a criminal because he is a masked vigilante, even though he gives low lifes the what for.
This movie, also questions, just what is the hero. The person who saves people, the person who protects, the person who punishes? The Comedian protects his country, but has no altruism about him. Roarsharch still has childhood issues, and still holds a grudge to women, even though he is incensed at the murder of a girl, but inflicts punishment on crims and we may say, good, the guy deserves it. Ozymandius decides to protect people, by killing people, sacrificing lives to preserve life, and honestly believes he is doing the right thing.
In the 1970s they become unpopular, possibly seen as thugs without oversight. In the 1980s, any superhuman who acts outside the law is regarded by the public and listed under the law, as a criminal. This deconstrunctionist approach to the super hero mythos is one of the strengths of the movie. The characters are just so interesting to watch. Even if they're unsympathetic, this makes the "heroes" a joy to engage with, and a help make the 2 1/2 hour length more than worth it.
The other joy in this movie, is seeing ratbags suffer. There is a certain joy in seeing muggers, child killers, and prisoners, mutilated or dying in gruesome. I actually laughed Roarshach gave the child killer what for, tossed cooking oil on the inmate, shove the guy in the tilet, and when the priosner got his arms sawed.I reckon inside a lot of us, there is a desire to see people like that, to get it, and get it good.
Another good thing about the movie, is Silk Spectre II. Snyder had strong women in his last films, and he keeps up the trend in this one.
Another point of this film I like is the twist it puts on the portrayal of communist and American leaders. Breshnev is not the fat, balding stibble faced gorilla, and Castro is not pudgy, with a bushy beard chomping on a fat cigar. They are tall, well built, serious, and know what they're doing, Nixon and Kissinger by contrast are fat, bloated, balding, slugs.
The other strength in this film is it's solid story, even though may predict the twist, it's well told, and has momentum and keeps it going, it balances action, character development, story, and background, and it has few if any loopholes. It also looks at the inherent violence, and self destruction of humans.
This whole movie, is just all round engaging. I was never bored when I watched it a year ago. Interested all the way. Only looking away to make comments about it, to my friends.
Snyder has made great films in his career; Dawn Of The Dead, 300, and now this; his best one yet. I'm looking forward to Suckerpunch.
Thnak you Snyder, for Watchmen.