Slick and realistic, Watchmen is hero of all superheroes

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2009)

In a time of political warfare between Russia and The United States, an ex-superhero is murdered which encourages vigilante Rorschach (Haley) to investigate and get back into his superhero ways.
July 2008 and the eagerly anticipated The Dark Knight is released, predictably smashing box office records. Taking the comic book genius and turning it into an enthralling fantasy thriller with sweeping direction and an impressive Oscar winning performance by Heath Ledger. So had we seen the greatest comic book adaptation? Yes, until now.
Superhero films are usually made for family viewing to gain high profits and to be seen by viewers of any age and so we see realism in a constricted context. Sex scenes, violence, blood and drug uses are all limited but Watchmen is brilliant. It is one of very few films in the genre to throw caution to the wind and do what is right in the plot's context. The direction by Snyder does not shy away from anything and has all the right elements to reflect the time of the plot and therefore you feel rewarded for the film's honesty to portray it as it is.
Watchmen, adapted from Alan Moore's graphic novels, hits all the right buttons. Great characters, stunning visuals and a cool collection of action sequences and sophisticated direction. But this is so much more than a superhero flick. It has real life issues and agendas and though the Spider-Man franchise justifies this, Watchmen feels more accurate and appreciative without diving too much into a soap styled genre. For starters we open into a politically stubborn government debating over the threat of war and how it will affect the world. This 2009 picture also looks at the use of superheroes in the community and how the police forces are corrupt and enforcing a stubborn grip on the nation.
Whereas this looks at the nation with reliance on superheroes or vigilantes it does not effectively reflect how the police are affecting the system but looks more into the political agenda of the President's motives and impulses.
Zack Snyder's choices are effectively established to justify that sense of action and crime and when needing to, that intense feeling of a thriller, none more so than a great opening scene with the Comedian.
Sam Raimi and Christopher Nolan have made names for themselves as established directors in the superhero category with Spider-Man and Batman and Snyder uses a fast paced style in comparison but adds a spicy sense of energy through some effective slow down motions that rival the Matrix and in conclusion, makes Snyder a hero for creating arguably the most riveting and surprising superhero film to date.