T-Bob's ridiculously long Watchmen review

NO SPOILERS!!! (At least I don't think so...)

Have you read the graphic novel? If so you'll be pleased with the generally faithful adaptation. If not, the credit sequence might leave you a little lost and confused. But not to worry, you should start to piece things together in the next 15 min. or so. Overall Watchmen is an enjoyable drama/action movie that happens to focus on superheros.

The design elements are a lot of fun (Especially some of the small details in set dressing) if a bit on the dark side. And the redesign of the characters' costumes bring them a fresh look, reveal character, and are pretty sexy and/or fun. The age make up for Sally (the original Silk Spectre), is pretty glaringly fake, and somewhat distracting, but otherwise the make up was completely unnoticeable which is a great thing. The movie has a lot of yummy male homoerotic visuals (If you're into that sort of thing- The debate rages on: Is Dr. Manhattan cut or uncut?)! In addition to the Dr.'s glowing full frontal, there is plenty of naked male buttocks and just barely a female breast shot (for those who like that sort of thing). They did get a little carried away with the blood and gore factor throughout the movie, sometimes it was just unnecessary (especially after the death in the prison bathroom).

The story gets a little bogged down in back story early in the second act and then is slowed down by more back story at the end of the second act. Then the script doesn't really let you into the inner lives of the two main, main characters quickly enough. The combo of these two things are why I think the story never quite hooks you in all the way: It's like it just grabs at your shirt instead of your heart. The minuscule renewable energy subplot is a completely unnecessary addition that adds nothing. However the complete obliteration of the annoying news stand (and pirate story within a story) sub-sub plot are a welcomed change. The inclusion of this would have made the an movie an unwatchable mishmash. And the re-conceptualization of the climax is a nice change that furthers some of the themes of the story. But then again, the denouement is dragged down by having to wrap up so many plot lines. A lot of the structural problems are due to the source material so I have to give the movie credit for keeping the audience at least visually engaged during the parts that dragged.

The action scenes are fun and exciting but nothing new (just lots of great ass kicking). And there's a big explosion or two if that's your thing. The acting is pretty good across the board except for the chick that plays The Silk Spectre II (AKA Laurie)- she's a little bit cardboard-y at times. The guys who play Rorschach and Dan (Nite Owl II) stand out by bringing more depth, vulnerability, and believability to their roles.

The soundtrack is a strange but mostly effective combination of period pop music (to aid with the many time lines), weird, pseudo-Vangelis synth music (that I think was supposed to hint at the 80s), and straight up action score. The sound effects are deafeningly over the top and often distracting.

Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. But it was a really fun distraction on a Saturday night.