Amazing, but...

Rating: 8/10 (6 March 2009)

The Watchmen was one of those movies that could easily have been terrible. It could have been butchered by a poorly written script, editing, graphics; so many things could have gone wrong. And they didn't. In the end, it is perfectly true to the novel in themes and overall meaning, and is thoroughly entertaining.
But when one of the ideas conveyed is that the human race is too cruel, is it wise to insert so much violence? It seems as though parts of the movie were made to cater to teenage boys rather than anything else. Obviously a lot of the violence is necessary, I'm not suggesting that there should have been less action sequences (especially since it is an action movie). But time and time again we are shown unnecessary (and not always very realistic) imagery; limbs sawed off, slow motion stabbings, body parts snapping.
Why?
The Watchmen was amazing in some aspects because it was a cut above the average action film. There were so many "Deep" themes that very few movies in this genre even touch on. For instance, one predominant idea is that humans are naturally corrupt, that they can be disgusting and crude (the comedian...). It then seems ironic that the actual movie appealed to our violent, depraved side by adding in touches of graphic violence solely for entertainment. That it seemed necessary to add this in speaks for the human race in itself.
But then again, I'm just squeamish. If you've no problem with gore - or the fact that the use of it goes directly against the movie - then you should be fine. It is still an enjoyable movie, but as the philosophical aspect melts away, we are left with only an action film. Enjoyable, but not a classic.