Watchmen

I finally got round to watching Watchmen. I have read the graphic novel and can appreciate why it is regarded as being one of the most important comic books in existence. Although as a comic it engages more on an intellectual level than on an emotional one. So, when it was announced that a film adaptation was in the works for definite I was intrigued. Zack Snyder did a good job of adapting 300, so I was reasonably confident he could do a solid job on this.

I wont recite the storyline, as that can be found anywhere. As an adaptation of a supposedly unfilmable piece of work, it works well. I think it will require more viewings to appreciate just how much has gone into the film.

The story works effectively and follows the original very closely. It is obvious the director has a real affinity for and passion about the project. Some shots are direct lifts from panels in the comic. It feels like the comic has come to life. The acting is very good across the board and we get reasonably well rounded characters. I say reasonably only because in a work with a complex narrative some character beats are going to be lost and subservient to the story. The ending has infuriated some, but I would argue that it better serves a modern audience than the original ending and posits a more interesting moral message that the comic. Is that sacrilege?!

All in all Watchmen is an effective film and the best adaptation of an Alan Moore story to date. It is well worth seeing. Although one does have to be a little pissed off that once again the US get the director's cut and the UK the theatrical edition. Anyone want to bet that the director's cut will be out in time for Christmas?