RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 In a word, intelligent. The great un-filmable Watchmen novel. They've done a pretty good job of it IMO. Apart from some relatively minor changes it is the novel in celluloid form. As anyone who has read the novel will know that's probably both a good and a bad thing. It's long (nearly 3 hours) and does plod in places just like the book but it's also as good as the book in all other respects. Dr. Manhattan is as otherworldly as you'd expect, the Watchmen are as flawed as ordinary people can expect to be but it's Rorschach who steals the show. My favourite character has been brought to life and he is as violent, as misanthropic a sociopath as you'd hope to create for film. He makes it a very violent and gory film too. The recreation of an alt-1980s is flawless. The CGI is at times breathtaking and it has a pretty good soundtrack too. A bit of a warning for you. It's not a simple film. It is a film about superheroes but it is not a superhero film. Sure, it has fights and gadgets and some special powers but it isn't at all like Spiderman, Batman or Superman. If you like your movies dumb and action packed then you'll find this too wordy and plodding. It's themes are many and take in among others greed, loss, sexual dysfunction, the nature of humanity, right wing politics and many more to a backdrop of a Cold War era America that has no love for superhero vigilantes. I found it unmissable and it's eased into my top five films straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 any shape on the sex scene? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 any shape on the sex scene? You'll be pleased to note that there was a trailer for The Fast and the Furious 4. That should be more up your street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Oh, and the new Star Trek looks incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 You'll be pleased to note that there was a trailer for The Fast and the Furious 4. That should be more up your street. awesome. so any shape on the sex scene? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I'll certainly be checking this one out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 awesome. so any shape on the sex scene? Does that mean do you see boobies? If so, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 I'll certainly be checking this one out I've actually seen it twice now and it was better the second time around. Now planning on getting a big telly and Blu-Ray for the DVD release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Got tickets to see it tonight, can't wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Looking forward to seeing this one. Is it a must see on the big screen? I'm guessing yes due to all the effects etc. Think i'll hold off till next week so that its not so busy, i like having the theatre to myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Looking forward to seeing this one. Is it a must see on the big screen? I'm guessing yes due to all the effects etc. Think i'll hold off till next week so that its not so busy, i like having the theatre to myself. I hate going to the cinema due to my idea of Hell being other people (thanks Jean Paul) but I braved it for this. I went to a midnight showing (packed but respectfully quiet) and an early morning showing (empty). Don't get the idea that it's an effects film. That makes it sound like the sort of typical Hollywood blockbuster that the queues outside today are probably expecting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I hate going to the cinema due to my idea of Hell being other people (thanks Jean Paul) but I braved it for this. I went to a midnight showing (packed but respectfully quiet) and an early morning showing (empty). Don't get the idea that it's an effects film. That makes it sound like the sort of typical Hollywood blockbuster that the queues outside today are probably expecting. Don't think the wife will be into this one so its maybe a good idea for me to go early like yourself. Its either the big screen, or other methods. If its a proper movie, like you describe, then i think it deserves a proper viewing. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Thanks for the review, good to know it lives up to the Graphic Novel I'll be going to an afternoon showing on Tuesday, can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I'm tempted by this, based on your review. What puts me off is that it's the same director who did 300, which I saw a few weeks back and found to be extremely rubbish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I'm tempted by this, based on your review. What puts me off is that it's the same director who did 300, which I saw a few weeks back and found to be extremely rubbish. I thought 300 was amazing! more of a passive computer game than a film, but still very entertaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I thought 300 was amazing! more of a passive computer game than a film, but still very entertaining. Yes, so did I! I've just watched the trailer, it does look amazing, and as Take a Bow by Muse is on the soundtrack, I'll definitely be going to see this now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_Mac Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I thought it's the most accurate translation from book to screen i've seen. Where it does diverge from the novel it doesn't jar with the original concept and the casting was bang on too; except Veidt, who was too slender to be convincing. All the others, and especially Rorschach, were excellent. I was told that it was out by my brother, and dragged my wife to see it that day. Even she found it watchable, which is saying something, as it's definitly a film for fans of the novel first of all. Personally I think it's in the running for a Best Picture award and the soundtrack is one of the few from a recent film that i'd consider buying (lots of good older stuff there). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 So did anyone look at their watch at least once during the movie? I'm glad to see it got an 18 rating so it obviously wasn't toned down to "get" the kids in. Oh well just 5 or so months till the dvd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 I'm tempted by this, based on your review. What puts me off is that it's the same director who did 300, which I saw a few weeks back and found to be extremely rubbish. I thought 300 was rubbish too. They've remained faithful to the novel for Watchmen. As I've said that's both its victory and it's downfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Yes, so did I! I've just watched the trailer, it does look amazing, and as Take a Bow by Muse is on the soundtrack, I'll definitely be going to see this now! It doesn't (to the best of my limited knowledge of Muse) appear in the film. 99 Red Balloons does though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 So did anyone look at their watch at least once during the movie? I'm glad to see it got an 18 rating so it obviously wasn't toned down to "get" the kids in. Oh well just 5 or so months till the dvd It is definitely not toned down. I don't usually wince when watching films but, by dog, I did during this. Three times in fact. All because of Walter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Any Daily Mail readers on here? The reporter Tookey gave it a huge turkey, said it was a film for pseudo intellectuals and sociopaths, also called 300 a gay-fest.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Any Daily Mail readers on here? The reporter Tookey gave it a huge turkey, said it was a film for pseudo intellectuals and sociopaths, also called 300 a gay-fest.... The pertinent words there are Daily and Mail. Hell, they have problems with anyone who isn't white. A naked blue man with an impressively large todger is going to freak them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 It doesn't (to the best of my limited knowledge of Muse) appear in the film. 99 Red Balloons does though. After lots of research and fiddling about I eventually realised that, and the Smashing Pumpkins song, The End is the Beginning is the End, is rather good too. That's not in the film either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 With regard to the soundtrack, for some reason it's not Bob Dylan doing Desolation Row as the credits roll but My Chemical Romance. I have no idea who thought that would be a good idea. Even less, why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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