The Watchmen

surprised no one has posted about this yet, great graphic novel, probably the best I have read (I have a signed first print of the 2005 run to go with my well read and battered old copy). So the film. I went with trepidation, almost all comic book films have disappointed me massively and I have to say this was a slight dissapointment. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good film and well done version of the novel (actually one of the better GN to film transitions in terms of keeping the feel of the original) but there are inevitably missing bits. I really enjoyed the kid reading the pirate story and the psychiatrist with Rorscach and I can see how these were pretty unworkable in terms of the film (I did like the occasional nod to the comic kid though) but they were quality additions to the novel (although not vital in terms of the story). Some of the back story wasn’t really filled in which might have left some people confused in parts and some of the minor characters weren’t touched upon.

I don’t know if this film would be enjoyable if you hadn’t read the novel, it is alot slower than other superhero films, but that is a good thing IMO. It was a good adaptation, and I enjoyed it, but if it wasn’t for my love of the original novel, I don’t know if I could have stood the 2hrs 40 minutes of it.

Enjoyable it is, but it could only be enjoyable having been based on such a great story, the nods to the graphic novel are excellent at times. As far as the acting goes, it was OK, some of the make up was a bit off and I imagined the Comedian to be slightly funnier and slightly darker, but that is my own personal take on the character. Osimandias is nailed though.

I shall give it an Iwatchthewatchmen/10