Watchmen

Watchmen

Running Time: 163 minutes

Summary: In a gritty and alternate 1985 the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown, but after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so discover a deeper and far more diabolical plot.

Review: This is another movie that I went to see in the theatre (a rarity for me) and was very excited to experience. While this movie has definitely improved upon additional viewings, it is still lacking. Actually to say it is lacking is incorrect. This movie is FULL of great stories. Each one of the Watchmen could have been made into thier own movie, every one of the little background vinyettes definitley could have been expanded and elaborated on. Now that idea has potential. As it is this movie is too long, with too much story that they are trying to sell, when in the end there is no real closure.

I have read this comic book/novel and the movie follows detrimentally close to the plot. If they had been just a little bit more liberal with trimming the proverbial fat off the story it would have been much more enjoyable. This 2.5h epic is long and drawn out.

The best part about this movie is Rorschach played by Jackie Earle Haley. He is a great anti-hero. While his penchant for violence is shocking at times, the most enjoyable scenes in this movie were his. Hopefully Paramount and Warner Brothers Pictures will have something in the works in the upcoming years. Now, his story would make a great movie!

Best Quote: Dan Dreiberg - "What happened to us? What happened to the American Dream?"
Edward Blake - "What happened to the American Dream?" It came true! You're lookin' at it..."

6 nests out of 10