Watchmen (2009) starring Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan directed by Zack Snyder Movie Review

Watchmen (2009)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Watchmen (2009)

Hard to Watch Man

In an alternate 1985 costume wearing vigilantes are no longer popular super heroes thanks to the Government getting tough on any caped crusader or masked menace. But when one of these former vigilantes ends up being murdered one of his own starts investigating. It leads to other former vigilantes reforming to watch out for each other whilst unearthing exactly what is going on which is much more diabolical than they could have ever imagined.

I apologise for that sorry excuse for a synopsis but unfortunately after sitting through "Watchmen" twice I am unable to write a more in-depth synopsis. In truth I think I could watch "Watchmen" a dozen more times and be little wiser because it feels like you need to have been a fan of the graphic novels to understand the movie. That brings me to something slightly off topic but on a certain popular movie site "Watchmen" has been rated highly and having spoken to others it seems that it has probably been mainly rated highly by those who watched having read the graphic novels it is based upon.

Now I am really happy for all those who think "Watchmen" is a great movie but for me this is a movie which almost needs to be sold with a book explaining it for those who haven't read the graphic novel and that is simply wrong as I believe a movie should be a stand alone experience. It means that at 162 minutes "Watchmen" is hard work for those not in the know and whilst the soundtrack is cleverly used in some scenes to narrate the story, such as the use of Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" early on, far too often the story end up flying over your head because it goes on about things which make no sense for those new to the characters and their story.

The most annoying things about this is that "Watchmen" is a stunning looking movie, a genuinely beautiful looking movie with every scene being a visual work of art. It is what ends up keeping those like me watching, the glorious look, the costumes, the acting and the combination of the soundtrack rather than the story.

What this all boils down to me is that "Watchmen" didn't work for me and I would imagine for others who watch having never read one of these graphic novels it will be hard work. But I can understand how those who have read the graphic novels will be impressed because it is visually stunning.


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