Watching the Watchmen

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2009)

I saw this in IMAX opening weekend, but wanted to wait to write my review until I had re-read the GN, and let my thoughts sink in.
Overall I was blown away at the experience of having virtually every scene lifted perfectly from the GN and translated on screen here. I have a few quibbles, but none of them are large enough to have ruined my experience. God Bless Zack Snyder for sticking so closely to the novel and paying attention to so much detail from the illustrations.
Malin Ackerman may be very pretty to look at, but to me was the weakest character in the film, I didn't care for her too much in the GN, and it hasn't changed much here..like in the GN she was just sort of....there. She's a plot device and little else.
I also wasn't too sure about Matthew Goode, but the more I thought about it the more he grew on me. I thought he depicted just the right amount of arrogance and reasoning/intelligence.
However small her part, I will never view Silk Spectre 1 as anyone else but Carla Gugino.
Dr. Manhattan, was wonderfully portrayed by Billy Crudup, admittedly he was never my favorite character, but seeing him portrayed so accurately on the screen vs. pages of the book, really brought dimension to the inner struggle he has with himself, and rediscovering humanity. Crudup portrays him with just the right amount of subtly.
I liked Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl 2. He did a great job as the bookwormish Dan Dreiberg, likewise as his alter ego.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan was a spectacular Comedian, it's one of the few times I simultaneously despised a character and yet felt sorry for him, even if that is how the character is written, if pulled off incorrectly by the actor and director, it never works. He was the one who "got the big joke" long before anyone else did.
But saving the best for last I was completely blown away by Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach. Haley mesmerized me every second he was on the screen, and the scenes he wasn't in, I found myself eagerly anticipating the next one he was. Haley is to Rorschach what Ledger is to the joker. A stunningly deep and dimensional performance.
There were some changes from the novel, but nothing that at least to me were that big of a deal. Missing was the "giant squid" which didn't bother me in the least. There are some other minor subplots not included, but for time constraints I can understand.
I could've done without the overlong sex scene though, Not even the GN devotes that many panels to it. In fact, you could cut the whole thing down to ten seconds and not miss anything. I do also, wish they'd devoted a little more time to the back story of Rorschach and to the shrink's interactions with him.
Will definitely be getting this one on DVD 10/10. (*Recommend the "director's cut" version on DVD*)
*Just a few side notes. Tired of reading reviews whining about the "big blue penis". Get over it! You either have one, or most likely have seen one. If you're letting that be your deciding factor in this movie, you got problems.
**Also, parents, it's rated "R" for a reason. Whether or not it's as dark or violent, etc. to other "R" movies you've seen. Kids have no business at all being at ANY "R" rated movies. Get a sitter, and if you can't find one I guess you'll have to wait for DVD. Stop subjecting very young children on everyone else at the theater, and possibly scarring them with nightmares over material they're too young to understand! (There were no kids I could see at my IMAX screening, but i've read enough reviews here where someone had dragged in babies or 5 year olds.)