Thumbs up from a fan of the novel

Rating: 9/10 (8 March 2009)

Zack Snyder gives us a faithful comic book adaption, but the only problem is it's not a comic book. I know it's ridiculous to assert that a 2 ½ hour movie doesn't go deep enough, but that's just it, he stretches himself too thin. By trying to cover every facet of the novel he reduces the movie to a rail road of stylish events and set pieces. He has all the threads; he just doesn't weave them into a satisfying story. In terms of craftsmanship, it is one of the best movies I've seen, surpassing the Dark Knight in cinema photography and set design. Add to that an awesome sound track and powerful performances and you have a marvel which will stick in peoples' minds for a long time.
What makes this movie unique is not only is it well adapted, but the stuff that Synder adds in is on par with the original content. The opening fight between the "Comedian" and an unknown assailant is a prime example of this. Also his interpretation of Rorschach's mental breakdown is chilling in how graphic it is.
The cinema photography was excellent given the fact each shot was done individually to assure quality. The set designs are nothing short of perfect, leaving plenty of Easter eggs for fans of the graphic novel to find. Note: Did anyone notice the file on Veidt's computer that said "boys"? That was strange.
The sound track is the best I've heard in awhile with songs that include "The Sound of Silence" "All Along the Watch Tower" and "the Times They Are a Changing." Of course you can find any of these songs on a mix CD; the point of a sound track is to compliment the visuals. While for the most part each song sets the mood and era, there are times where the audio doesn't quite match the pace or tone of a scene.
Jackie Earl Haley gives us an unsettling performance as the deranged masked vigilante "Rorschach" and actually ends up being scarier without his mask. Billy Crudup is next in line for best performance as the eerie blue super god, "Doctor Manhattan." His reserved manner and powerful presence is often betrayed by subtle facial twinges that remind us he is human. Although lacking in screen time, Jeffery Dean Morgan's "Comedian" gets honorable mention, he plays an obnoxious son of a bitch you can't help, but respond to.
In the end the movie collapses under the weight of its own scope, by taking on too much it did not say enough. We get glimpses of complex characters and snatches of plot to keep it coherent, but the audience never feels included. While this sounds negative rest assured it's not, read: Zack Snyder made the best adaption possible. Had he decided to focus on just Rorschach or just the Nite Owl it would have had more focus, but then it would have ceased to be a great adaption. Like a friend of mine said it's not "the Rorschach movie" or "the Nite Owl movie" it's "The Watchmen." And Zack Snyder gives us just that.