100 Things: Day Two (MPAA: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language)

[lokis_mayhem]

WATCHMEN (2009) is directed by Zack Snyder and stars Jackie Earle Hailey (Rorschach), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian), Carla Gugino (Silk Spectre), Patrick Wilson (Nite Owl II), Malin Ackerman (Silk Spectre II), Billy Crudup (Dr. Manhattan), Matthew Goode (Ozymandias), and a host of other fine actors/actresses. It is an adaptation of the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

I freely admit it - I was unaware that Watchmen even existed until the trailer for the movie came out. I'm almost certain that the trailer for Watchmen was on before The Dark Knight, which I saw with my brother. He got all excited about the movie - turns out he's a huge fan of the GN. Most of the audience began murmuring "Oh hell yeah, can't wait for that!" so my interest was peaked. I borrowed Scotty's copy of the GN and read it in 3 days - couldn't put it down. I really loved the story and I was so stoked to see how it would play out on the big screen.

I wasn't disappointed, though I know a lot of people were. I thought they did a great job staying in line with the source material.

The basic premise is that superheroes emerged in the 1940s-1960s and made a profound impact on various historical events. There are a lot of cool little snippets of scenes in there. For example, we find out who shot Kennedy, according to the Watchmen universe. It's been a while since I watched the movie, but I think I remember a nod to what happened at Kent State in the movie. The infamous V-J Day kiss in Times Square was in there too, only with a twist.

The Watchmen are a really intriguing group of people. None of them, save for Dr. Manhattan, have any actual superpowers. They're just people who decided that they were tired of criminals getting away with breaking the law and they decided to do something about it. Under the cover of masks, they set out to clean up the streets, doing the jobs that the police can't do because of red tape and bureaucracy.

But the question becomes "Who watches the Watchmen?" Who keeps the Watchmen from crossing the line, becoming the sum total of everything they're trying to stop?

You'll get varying opinions about this movie, no doubt. Love it, hate it, shades of grey inbetween. I loved it, bought it immediately when it came out on DVD, bought the companion Black Freighter DVD, and rewatch the movie often. I say give it a try.

Comments

[zen-kitty.livejournal.com]

We saw this at the IMAX theater and boy was it impressive on that huge screen. :D

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I bet it was! I would've loved to have seen it in IMAX!

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

I loved it too! :D And the story by Alan Moore is so great, turning the whole masked vigilante concept on its head and asking some pretty pertinent questions. It has great characters and some really interesting plot too. Thanks for reminding me - I'll see if I can get my hands on it down here.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

It really is! It's one of those interesting little scenarios where they're all right in a way, and all wrong in a way.

No problem! I hope you can find a copy!! <3

[technophobe1975.livejournal.com]

Love the movie, and one of my friends dressed up as Dr Manhattan for a sci-fi convention, complete with a giant blue winky!

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Oh that is awesome! Kudos and thumbs up to your friend - I'd have loved to see some cosplayers around here! I got one not-very-good (and not naked) Dr. Manhattan and one really scrawny Comedian.

[xi-feng.livejournal.com]

Brilliant film, with one of the best opening sequences of all time. I could watch just that part over and over again, actually ^^

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Much agreed! The opening sequence is well-worth watching over and over! In fact, you kind of have to to catch everything! *g*

[hopefulspirit.livejournal.com]

I never have watched this movie, I've been curious but didn't get around to seeing it.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

You really should give it a try - I think you'll like it :)

[laurainlimbo.livejournal.com]

after all you've said, I really want to watch this!

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

You should! I really hope you like it!!

[ladyarcherfan3.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen this one yet, but you make is sound good; added to the list. Also - Jeffrey Dean Morgan. :D

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

It's a really good one! It's very violent and hard to watch in spots but it's absolutely enthralling! And yeah, JDM in that outfit is supremely delicious!!

[suede.livejournal.com]

I read the book but didn't see the movie. But probably will as you say it's a good one!

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly enjoyed it! I hope you do too! :D

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I'm due for a rewatch of it myself! :D ANd I haven't read the comic in AGES!

[tierfal.livejournal.com]

I heard a lot of mixed things about it, and I'll admit that the two primary reasons I didn't see it in theaters were (a) my soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend raved about it like crazy when it came out; and (b) the infamous LOTS OF PEN0RZ scene. XD''''' I'm really intrigued by the character concepts of a number of the Watchmen as far as what I picked up about them, so one of these days I'll have to check it out.

Do you recommend starting with the GN? :D

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

*nods* I can see that - soon-to-be-exes raving about anything makes it a "pass" in my book too! Hahaha! The giant blue penis isn't too bad really - it's there but it's no big deal, pardon the pun. The Watchmen are fascinating character studies really - they're sociopaths and megalomaniacs and just completely out there. But, in several ways, they are right and they want to do good.

I recommend starting with the GN - I thought that it added to the experience to have read the GN first. It's not necessary but I thought it was better that way :)

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

Agreed. The entire movie stayed completely true to it's father material.

Some of the acting came across more campy than maybe it should have, but overall, the entire thing flowed and felt like Watchmen should.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you thought so too - I thought they did a great job staying true to the source! A lot of people disagreed :(

Yeah, that's true - some of the acting was a bit over the top but all in all, I really loved it :)

[twelve-months.livejournal.com]

:)

btw hi

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Hi :)

[twelve-months.livejournal.com]

i found your lj via qt3-14159's

hope you don't mind me passing through :)

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I don't mind at all :) I just couldn't figure out where you came from :)

[twelve-months.livejournal.com]

umm New Zealand ;)

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

LOL! I just meant I wondered how you found me :)