"watchmen"

[sergebroom]

I saw Watchmen last night. I am one of the people who read Alan Moore's original comic-book story(*) when it first came out in 1986-1987. I had not looked at it since then, but it had left a vivid impression. In other words, I remember enough of it to be able to notice what the movie left out, some of which had to be left out, and some I wish had been kept in but the removal of which I can understand was needed for the telling of this version of the story. Unfortunately some of the major changes near the end made some of what was kept in the first half not really necessary, which is why that first half dragged around a bit. It'd have benefitted from some judicious pruning and addition here and there.

The final verdict?

I liked it, in some ways better than the original. For one thing, the main characters come across as flawed here too, but not so flawed that I thought of them as losers, especially the Nite Owl.

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(*) None of this it's-a-graphic-novel stuff from yours truly.

Comments

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

I know you missed the meta-comic story, but we were happy to see it referenced at least, with the newsstand and the kid reading on the ground next to it making it into several shots...

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

I figured that's what the kid was doing, but that went so fast that I missed it. Well, I'll have to use the 'pause' button when the DVD is released. I'm curious to see what will be in the Director's Cut. One thing is sure: I won't be watching it while my nephews are around.

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

Well, if you've got the DVD you can save it for them when they're ready. When they're, what? About 18? :D

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

That'll be 10 years from now then. Who knows what their tastes will be by then? My nephew who used to love superheroes graduated to the Transformers and is now into Star Wars. I'm not sure what the next stage will be? Written SF, maybe. The horror. The horror!

By the way, has Cassie shown any interest in stories of the imagination? Or does she think Mom is weird for liking Doctor Who?

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

Cassie has, at times, watched Doctor Who with me. She recognizes both the theme music and the TARDIS. The geek seeding is complete.

She's also enjoyed The Last Unicorn and most of The Neverending Story, as well as The Black Cauldron. I'm going to try her on Labyrinth soon. :D

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Corrupting youngs minds, eh? As for Labyrinth, I take you're referring to Jim Henson's movie and not del Toro's.

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

Yup. 'cause that would be Pan's Labyrinth.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

For which Cassie might never forgive you.

[(Anonymous)]

I was impressed by the opening credits (still up here (http://pixelatedgeek.com/2009/03/watchmen-opening-credits-video/) but probably not for long given how fast they're going after them and getting them taken down.) I'll probably try to see the movie in the theater.

Susan
http://www.rixosous.com

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link, Susan. I had wanted to say something about the opening credits, and how they're filled with sadness, not the sadness of seeing grownups dress up in silly costumes, but the sadness of melancholy, of something lost that may have only existed in people's hearts.