A Great Adaptation Of The Great American Graphic Novel.

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2013)

Watchmen is the adaptation of the highly acclaimed and successful graphic novel by the Shakespeare of comic books Alan Moore and The Miguelangelo of comic books Dave Gibbons. The novel itself is pure narrative delightment and a film based on this masterpiece had to be really hard to make, since the comic has a lot of detail. Fortunately in 2009 we had the pleasure to witness the impossible made possible.
Watchmen is set in an alternate and more cynical version of America in the 80's were the United States and The USSR are in the brink of nuclear war. Superheroes exist in this universe but are outlawed by the government. The film opens with a quiet and magnificent fight scene were a retired superhero is murdered. After that, the only superhero active, Rorschach, begins an investigation that leads to a much bigger plot that threatens the world.
The story presents us six main characters, each with a different trait and personality: Edward Blake/The Comedian, Jon Osterman/Doctor Manhattan, Walter Kovacks/Rorschach, Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II, Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II and Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias. Now I won't go around talking details about these characters because it would take a lot of time, the only thing I can say about these people is that each one of them are a vision and a criticism of several stereotypes that work pretty well.
The movie is gold, although it's not the action-packed-post-300 film that was presented in the trailers, it becomes something more deep that answers the question: How would be the real world if superheroes existed? The TV Spots told us this tag line: You've never seen superheroes like them. And that's true. Watchmen shows us that superheroes are after all, humans. They can be hurt, they can suffer, they can be destroyed and even the only superhero who actually has super-powers has a lot of emotional problems. Superheroes are outsiders, one proof of it is Rorschach's question during one of his philosophical monologues: Is that what happens to us? No time for friends? And even a more dramatic example is Doctor Manhattan himself who becomes heavily detached from humanity due to his powers.
David Hayter and Alex Tse's script pays a lot of homage to the novel, while adding several elements that become superior in the movie. And also keeping and modifying the most ironic ending in superhero history.
Zack Snyder was the perfect choice for Watchmen and if he reads this review sometime I'll just say: You did great Zack. His direction and attention to the shots of the movie really succeed in translating the comic book panels to screen. When I watched Watchmen I felt I was looking at a superhero movie either directed by Ridley Scott or Stanley Kubrick. Snyder makes his first drama film a one of a kind cinematic masterpiece.
The cast is well chosen, Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays The Comedian with his proper sardonic humor, Billy Crudup plays Doctor Manhattan with the perfect tone of voice that really shows us a complete outsider, Matthew Goode plays Ozymandias with the charm and intelligence required for the character although I expected more of him but nevertheless he plays "the bad guy" of the movie successfully, Patrick Wilson plays Nite Owl with the emotion required for the role, Malin Akerman is beautiful and sexy but she is one of the biggest disappointments in the movie, anyway, Silk Spectre is one of the weakest characters in the story. I'll make a special mention to Jackie Earle Haley, the actor who played Rorschach. Although he was too short for the height I saw in the comics, he nevertheless is the one who steals the show. His raspy voice and attitude are fit for the role and I was angry because he didn't get an Oscar nomination, I mean, the guy got deep into the role and succeeded. Nevertheless Watchmen was a rebirth on his career.
The films visuals are stunning, the pacing was never a problem for me, the Soundtrack by Tyler Bates is incredible and unique for a Superhero film, The costumes by Michael Wilkinson are a major improvement over the original suits, the photography by Larry Fong is exquisite and engaging, The Production Design by ALex McDowell is so impressive and magnificent that I felt I was watching the comic book in motion, And so many details that make this film a worth seeing.
Watchmen was not that successful at the Box Office because it is an ambitious Superhero Drama film released at the time where lots of action and lots of nonsense sell more tickets. In my concept, the film was worth every Penny and if there's a re-release sometime in the future I'll go and see it.
Watchmen has a divided audience, but the more I ask people about this movie, the more positive responses I get. I hope that when time passes and people start respecting those great movies that were unappreciated at the time of release, Watchmen can be deemed as one of the greatest films of all time. I see it like that, tell me, what do you see?