Watchmen close enough to the original

By Tom Blessington
Collegian Editor
March 26, 2009

Last summer, The Dark Knight was released in theaters. During the previews of this memorable movie, nerds and comic book aficionados rejoiced in unison as they saw one of their dreams come to fruition: a teaser trailer of Watchmen.

To the unknowing viewer, the Watchmen trailer appeared to be an array of random scenes involving Batman-like heroes and naked, blue men running around New York set to the tune of the Smashing Pumpkins.

However, to those familiar with the famous graphic novel, the beautiful teaser was a long-awaited feast for the eyes.

The graphic novel, Watchmen, written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons, is a series of 12 comic books released periodically from 1986 to1987.

The fans waited almost a year for Watchmen to finally arrive in theaters. But, was this movie worth the wait?

The story chronicles the events of an alternate reality in 1985, where Richard Nixon continues his fifth consecutive term as president, the U.S. and Russia are on the brink of nuclear warfare, and masked vigilantes, namely the Watchmen, patrol the streets of New York.

Watchmen begins with the murder of former Watchmen member Edward Blake, also known as the Comedian. Investigating his death is Rorschach, the only member of the Watchmen not to retire. Rorschach believes that the Comedian’s murder is the first in a series of hits on costumed heroes and attempts to warn his former partners: Nite Owl, Doctor Manhattan, Silk Spectre and Ozymandias.

As the world inches closer and closer to nuclear Armageddon, the former Watchmen race against time to find out if there really is an assassination plot, and, if so, who is behind it. This narrative was eventually picked up by Zach Synder, director of Dawn of the Dead and 300, and turned into a film adaptation of the novel.

Watchmen fans will be happy to see that, for the most part, the movie sticks close to the novel. To me, there are no drastic changes in the storyline.

Synder transitions the panels of the comic book into scenes in the movie fairly well. Yet, because of time restraints, he completely ignores some of the backstory and subplots.

For example, in the graphic novel, several panels are dedicated to a “comic within the comic” called Tales of the Black Freighter, which somewhat parallels the main story. Synder excludes this comic in the movie.

Overall, fans will be happy to see a live-action version of their beloved comic but will be left with a slight sense of disappointment.

To people who haven’t read Watchmen, the movie is entertaining. The story line is interesting and easy to follow, and the fight scenes are thrilling and comparable to the battles of 300.

The cast, for the most part, brings the comic book heroes to life, especially Patrick Wilson as the solemn and respectable Nite Owl, Jackie Earle Haley as the stern and forceful Rorschach, and Jeffery Dean Morgan as the amoral and apathetic Comedian. On the other hand, the movie is very long and tends to drag on during some of the dialogue scenes.

Also, because Snyder left various plot details out of the movie, viewers will be left questioning some of the unexplained material that seemed to be just dropped into the movie for no reason, such as Ozymandias’ purple cat Bubastis or the Minutemen, predecessors to the Watchmen.

The question to be asked is this movie worth watching? My answer is “sure.” At two hours and 40 minutes, the movie is a time investment but will keep you entertained for a majority of that time.

If you are looking for a fresh, original plot and the action of movies like 300, Watchmen is right up your alley. My only recommendation is to read the graphic novel if you haven’t.

Although it will enhance your movie experience, the Watchmen graphic novel is a classic and definitely a page-turner and the movie isn’t too bad either.

blessingtont1@student.lasalle.edu