Watch the Watchmen, but maybe only once? (Watchmen (DVD))

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Watchmen (DVD)
Date:	29/03/09 (171 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Two great performances, action is great, certainly different.

Disadvantages: Heavy plotting, poor supporting cast, dull conclusion.

When retired hero "The Comedian" is murdered it seems clear that someone is out to get retired crime fighters. Masked hero and psychopath Rorschach is not one to stand by and wait to be next and sets about tracking down the killer. Meanwhile Dr Manhattan is busy researching a way to stop the impending nuclear war between the USA and Russia while other retired heroes are simply trying to find a place for themselves in the world.

"Watchmen" is undoubtedly an epic movie. It screams epic from every pore be it the recognisable soundtrack or stunning opening scenes. Everything about it is big and this is clearly a film that aims itself above and beyond the popcorn popping friendliness of Marvel movies in recent years. There is a lot about this film that is simply brilliant. The dark backdrop and gritty setting is perfect for this alternative 1985 were America and Russia are perilously close to nuclear war and the cynical tone of the whole thing makes this a film in stark contrast to other movies in this genre.

You have to love any film that goes down the old-fashioned noire route and "Watchmen" is definitely a film that follows this pattern. Largely narrated by the brilliantly scarred and twisted Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach, we follow him around looking for answers in brutal fashion. For me his is easily the stand out performance of the film and it is a joy to hear his cynical take on the World and with lines like, "This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face." He is a memorable character who adds impact to an otherwise relatively mundane cast of characters. I found the glimpses into his back story fascinating as he seemed almost like something from a horror movie, twisted by actions from his childhood.

However, when the film moves away from this character it does somewhat fall down. The other faded heroes are somewhat one-dimensional. I am not really aware of the comic series this is based on but I get the feeling that the rest of the cast are simply support to Rorschach. The scenes without him in it are largely dull ways of explaining important plot points and the sub plot of a love triangle is not only hastily introduced but also hugely unconvincing. Most of the supporting heroes are also intensely irritating and for some reason have no presence on the screen. Dr Manhattan, who is perhaps the film's most pivotal character is horrendously annoying and his overanalysis of the human condition while standing there with his penis permanently on show is annoying to the point of almost ruining the film.

In its attempt to be a deep movie. "Watchmen" suffers to an extent from trying to fit in too much social commentary. At times I felt like I was involved in a Sociology lesson what with all the moaning about humanities weaknesses and inevitable path to destruction. This is a film that makes you think but perhaps makes you think too hard as often the action is superseded by a need to preach world peace. I get the feeling this was not the comic series intention and in trying to cover everything the filmmakers have given themselves too much to do.

I do love that the heroes are not whiter than white and that you are never quite sure who the villains are. These grey areas are perhaps best illustrated by "The Comedian" who is perhaps the only other notable performance in the film. Played as a sociopath, he is the perfect example of what these heroes can be. Much seems has been made of his inclusion in this film as there are some violent scenes of The Vietnam War which the American's win because of people like this character. There is also a rape scene. However, I do feel that these scenes simply add depth to the character and give him a duplicity that other characters lack. To be honest you will see worse in a made for TV drama and the 18 certificate in this film is barely justified by a few dismemberings.

I have perhaps over emphasised the plot and acting in "Watchmen" as this is also a very good action movie when it gets going. There is a lot to keep you entertained here as the set pieces are frenetic with lots of stylish killings and gore to keep me happy. However, disappointingly the films conclusion largely sucked the big one. Rarely have I felt so washed out by a film at the end and I get the feeling that in an attempt to be faithful to the series, something has been lost in translation.

"Watchmen" is a film that I do recommend but it is not one for the faint hearted. It is undoubtedly an engaging movie with two brilliant performances. However, it is also far too long and drifts away on heavy plotting for too long. In its constant efforts to be iconic it is a film you will have to see once but maybe not again?

Summary: Watch it once.