Good but cold.

Rating: Null/10 (6 March 2009)

Saw this uber-hyped movie about 3 hours ago & was left with mixed feelings...
Most reviews seem to be anchored in the debate between rabid fan boy adoration of the graphic novel (or COMIC) & anticipated failure of the filmic adaption - how many times can reviewers say "Unfilmable" ? I wont even attempt to go there - enjoyed the comic, hoped the film would do it justice - but its a film & should be reviewed as such.
So its late, I don't feel intellectual & frankly cant compete with some of the more in depth reviews available: The acting was (mostly) excellent. The effects were excellent. The music was excellent (though sometimes inappropriate). 2 hours plus is a big ask from an audience in cramped cinema conditions but the interest & curiosity factors fared well.
For me, I admire the movies braveness more than any other factor - the length, violence, male nudity, grim & twisty ending....cant explain without blowing it for Watchmen virgins...all add up to what must be one of the greatest movie gambles of recent years. Cool.
Loved The Comedian - Dirty Harry meets Randall P McMurphy by way of Wolverine. Would love to see a film about this guy on his own but of course is not to be..... Loved Rorschach - Perfect transformation from page to film & perhaps even improvement..... Doc Manhattan - fine performance if you can see past the swinging schlong ! Silk Specter 2 - I may be the only guy alive left unmoved by her latex & generally annoyed by her presence.
I left the cinema thinking I had seen a very good film - impressed. But...I didn't want to see it again, buy the DVD, soundtrack etc. Well, maybe a directors cut...
Mr. Snyder did a fantastic job of covering the story & the actors did a fantastic job of bringing those great characters to life - but somehow emotion got lost during the trip - I was appreciating the film more than enjoying it. Sorry, cant nail down the reason why but that's what I was left with.
A very honorable & honest 8/10