Who Watches the Watchmen? We Should

Rating: 8/10 (20 April 2009)

Personally, I was not anticipating Watchmen quite as much as my friends. They all read the cultish DC Comics graphic novel while I hadn't. It seems that everyone who reads it somehow has a life changing experience. I went to the packed midnight showing of its release, surrounded by college students, with hope that the film adaptation would prove the same for me. I have a personal affinity with comic books and superhero movies, but until Watchmen I'd never seen a true comic book film. Through stunning visuals it goes above and beyond, making the superhero film into the piece of art it always should have been.
It opens with a chilling scene of a vicious super powered fight, backed by Nat King Cole's gentle "Unforgettable." The story revolves around the mystery of who killed the Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a former costumed "superhero" and former member of the disbanded Watchmen. We follow the vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), another former Watchman, who investigates the murder case. The story behind the Comedian unfolds through a series of flashbacks revealing only more puzzling information. Watchmen takes us to an alternate 1985 in which America won the Vietnam war and Nixon is in his fifth term. The story does not raise this film above the standard by itself, but it does so through the themes, issues, and questions it calls to mind.
The film contains excusable infractions from the poor makeup job of Nixon's nose to the awkward and laughable sex scenes. I couldn't stand the use of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" to score the sex scene between Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) and Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson). The context of its use turned a sweet ballad into what sounded like a sexified, Barry White-esquire rendition. If anything the audience found amusement at the awkwardness of the creative sexual encounters; it's uncomfortable but entertaining.
Underlying the film are thought provoking themes other superhero movies don't dare to explore. It redefines the "superhero" from savior to human, not only in the realm of making mistakes but the capacity to do wrong. Other films barely touch on this idea from Spider-man's human weaknesses to Batman in Dark Knight straddling the line between hero and vigilante, but they're both inherently good. The audience doesn't disagree with their actions or motives. The "heroes" in Watchmen prove that though they save the day, they can be just as selfish, unforgiving, and murderous as those who oppose them. It makes the point that every hero is one choice away from becoming a "villain." Heroes can't always make the right choice. As Rorschach says oh so poetically, "Humans are savage in nature." I'm afraid that some casual viewers of Watchmen didn't quite appreciate or grasp the concepts that I found so intriguing. They were too distracted by Dr. Manhattan's glowing blue penis, the apparent "randomness" of the music choices, and the lengthiness of the film. I barely noticed the nudity because I was too distracted by the characters and social commentary. The music suited the time period and captured the intended emotions, and I never once wondered when the movie was going to end. I suppose this extreme thematic exploration is a little out of its time for some, especially for those who have not read the original graphic novel.
Viewers agree that the look of the film made an impression. Even if they don't enjoy the mystery or the damned but redeemable characters, the visuals are truly stunning and hypnotic. Director Zack Snyder caters to comic readers by striving for artistic mimicry in imitating specific panels from the graphic novel. The drastic color scheme creates a mesmerizing, innovative style, pleasing to the eye and reminiscent of comic art. The visual approach is apparent from the opening credit sequence. Through iconic, almost photographic stills Snyder elegantly presents the superheroes' history. It effectively introduces the audience to the world of the Watchmen. Brutal violence is beautified through split second slowmo shots to enhance powerful punches and emphasize the bright, agonizing gore. The fight scene choreography feels like watching a comic book in action, showing the audience every hit, every bullet wound, every blood splatter. The film utilizes its parent text by truly capturing the comic book on screen.
Whether it's colorful, chilling scenes of graphic violence, various ex-superheroes representing the best and worst of humanity, or a whodunit mystery, Watchmen proves to be a ride of pure adrenaline. It'll make you squirm, laugh, gasp, and most importantly think. In a flashback, the Comedian says, "I thought I knew how the world was" but none of us seem to know. Watch the Watchmen and maybe you'll feel enlightened, maybe disturbed, but it'll make you feel. Not only is it a must see; it's worth re-watching.