Ambitious, and for filmmakers, there is a lesson to be learned here.

Rating: 6/10 (9 March 2009)

The first thing I discussed with my fellow 'Watchmen' attendees last night was- if you were to try to briefly explain to someone what the movie 'Watchmen' is about, what would you say? None of us could come up with a succinct answer.
My only attempt at an explanation is this.
'Watchmen' tries to be about everything.
So many topics and themes are tackled in this film, from environmental issues to child abduction, from politics to sexual assault, from war to love.
While the film does provide some interesting insights in these topics, it is really too much for one film.
We were actually trying to identify the protagonist, and the best I could come up with is Rorschach, since he does the voice over narration and keeps the journal. I think he is also the most sympathetic character, because there is such a disconnection felt with most of the other characters.
I understand that some of these complaints perhaps are directed more at the book than the film, and I have not read the book. But, it is the job of the filmmakers to shape the story of the book into a film that the audience can connect with, and I believe that in trying to keep too true to this book, the writers of 'Watchmen' the movie lost most of their audience.
'Watchmen' is a joy to the eye, as the art direction is top notch. The opening credits sequence is stunningly brilliant in its cinematography and as an expository storytelling device.
Every movie is about something, but unfortunately, Watchmen is not. Because it tries to be about everything, it is actually about nothing.