A beautiful bore

Rating: 5/10 (16 March 2009)

Never read the graphic novels, but I'm a geek at heart and have enjoyed many of the recent comic book films, so I'm clearly the target audience. Nevertheless, I cannot recommend this film.
The first 45 minutes or so are riveting. The film had me hook, line and sinker and I was ready for more. Sadly, that was it. For the next hour and 45 minutes or so...I was bored to tears. Not just because there were few action scenes, but because the story itself is a flat out bore. I have to admit, I was caught completely off guard by how incredibly boring the film was. I must have looked at my watch 5 or 6 times.
I have to imagine that the only people who will truly enjoy this film are those who loved the graphic novel and will be mesmerized watching this world come to life. For the rest of us...we require a more interesting storyline and far better pacing.
The finale is interesting, but not enough to salvage the film. Trust me folks...save this one for cable, it's not worth the price of admission.
I will say, it's stunning to watch, beautifully filmed and the sound effects/music were terrific. But special effects (much like wars) don't make movies (or men) great.