The Daily OrangeGuts and Guile | "Watchmen" uses familiar effects to create stunning visual masterpiece
By Ben Rosen
Posted: 3/5/09, 3:46 AM EST Section: Splice
"Watchmen"
Directed by: Zach Snyder
Starring: Jackie Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino
B+
It was hard to resist "Watchmen," Zack Snyder's most recent adaptation of the graphic novel by the same name. It has been hyped up ever since the trailer premiered at the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight." Although Snyder and David Hayter (of "Metal Gear Solid" fame) are big names, it's the technical departments that should be applauded for this wildly entertaining and explosive movie.
As a film that stays true to its predecessor, it is almost perfect; as a film in itself, it has its flaws.
It's an alternate version of 1985 America. Nixon is still in power and the Doomsday Clock is ticking. The Watchmen, a group of rag-tags in masks and one with actual superpowers, has been forced into retirement. But when one of them is murdered, another decides it's time to return. With nuclear war looming in the future, Rorschach (Jackie Earl Haley) must race with his former teammates (including Billy Crudup and Patrick Wilson) to uncover a truth that could save billions of lives.
Oscar-nominee Jackie Earle Haley ("Little Children") adds the most depth to the film as Rorschach, a grown man with a chip on his shoulder and the most dedicated of the bunch. Wilson and Malin Akerman (as Miss Jupiter) make a decent supporting couple, their performances solidly grounding them in humanity, a central theme of the story. Also of note is Crudup, who delivers an ironically emotional performance as Dr. Manhattan, a man turned superman by an accident at a nuclear plant.
Unsurprisingly, the visual style borrows from Snyder's "300." Action sequences are frequently slowed to dramatic effect, and its frequently used blue screens are awesomely real.
Snyder tries to craft another stylish and sensual sex scene, but it falls flat and awkward. Although the violence is gratuitous, they're still ridiculously fun to watch. Fans of the graphic novel will easily pick out certain shots that come straight from the pages.
Directed by: Zach Snyder
Starring: Jackie Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino
B+
It was hard to resist "Watchmen," Zack Snyder's most recent adaptation of the graphic novel by the same name. It has been hyped up ever since the trailer premiered at the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight." Although Snyder and David Hayter (of "Metal Gear Solid" fame) are big names, it's the technical departments that should be applauded for this wildly entertaining and explosive movie.
As a film that stays true to its predecessor, it is almost perfect; as a film in itself, it has its flaws.
It's an alternate version of 1985 America. Nixon is still in power and the Doomsday Clock is ticking. The Watchmen, a group of rag-tags in masks and one with actual superpowers, has been forced into retirement. But when one of them is murdered, another decides it's time to return. With nuclear war looming in the future, Rorschach (Jackie Earl Haley) must race with his former teammates (including Billy Crudup and Patrick Wilson) to uncover a truth that could save billions of lives.
Oscar-nominee Jackie Earle Haley ("Little Children") adds the most depth to the film as Rorschach, a grown man with a chip on his shoulder and the most dedicated of the bunch. Wilson and Malin Akerman (as Miss Jupiter) make a decent supporting couple, their performances solidly grounding them in humanity, a central theme of the story. Also of note is Crudup, who delivers an ironically emotional performance as Dr. Manhattan, a man turned superman by an accident at a nuclear plant.
Unsurprisingly, the visual style borrows from Snyder's "300." Action sequences are frequently slowed to dramatic effect, and its frequently used blue screens are awesomely real.
Snyder tries to craft another stylish and sensual sex scene, but it falls flat and awkward. Although the violence is gratuitous, they're still ridiculously fun to watch. Fans of the graphic novel will easily pick out certain shots that come straight from the pages.
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