The first superhero movie that goes beyond

Rating: 10/10 (10 April 2009)

I have to admit I did not know anything about watchmen before I saw this movie. Never read the comics or saw the animated version. I expected just another superhero movie, something like X-Men, Spiderman or hopefully like Ironman.
Let's get this straight. Watchmen is nothing like the movies mentioned before. It's way more than that. Finally a superhero movie that has to be taken seriously.
The story is interesting and never implausible. Characters are great and very well developed. Mainly by flashbacks. The acting is decent. Especially Billy Crudup (Dr. Manhatten), Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian) act over the top. Some dialog has to be considered just brilliant. E.g. "I would only agree that a symbolic clock is as nourishing to the intellect as a photograph of oxygen to a drowning man." (Manhatten) or "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You are locked in here with me!" (Rorschach)
For the technical aspects of the movie: The editing is good and the special effects are well done and used properly. Some scenes are just beautiful, for example the kissing scene in front of the atomic explosion.
The song selection surprised me too. 99 Luftballons, The Sound Of Silence or Hallelujah are interesting choices but fit in so well. Last but not least, Philip Glass's Pruit Igoe made Jon Osterman's accident scene even more intense.
Overall I'd give this movie a 9,5 of 10. I voted it a 10 because I hope it's going make it to the Top 250.
Kudos to Zack Snyder. Great job, well done.