Zack Snyder’s anti-superhero epic was released back in March and was met with a rather mixed response. While many seemed unimpressed by Snyder’s ambitious and faithful adaptation, the director’s cut improves upon many aspects, adding to an already excellent film that did the same thing the graphic novel did for its medium. Watchmen is an entertaining and rich film that delivers on almost every level. The original cut did have it’s flaws, mostly narrative wise, this cut makes most of those issues perish.
The story follows practically the exact same narrative as the graphic novel and it works. Most of the events and character arcs are still the same, except Dr. Manhattan. It still opens with The Comedian’s murder which leads to Rorschach who starts investigating. He sets out to spread the warning, first going to his old partner Nite Owl aka Dan Drieberg. Dan lives an isolated life now and is left without a sense of purpose. Adrian Veidt, former superhero Ozymandius, is now the world’s smartest man and one of the richest. He doesn’t believe in the masked killer theory and is more worried about the world problems to come. The only one with real super powers is Dr. Manhattan who is continually drifting away from humanity. His only connection comes from his relationship with Laurie Jupiter aka Silk Spectre II. Laurie feels as if she is living a lie considering she was forced into this profession of vigilatism due to pressure from her mother.
Read the rest of the review below > ” />
The first act and the third act were more so Rorscach-centered, similar to the graphic novel, but he mistakingly disappeared during the second act in the original cut. That problem has now been fixed giving him more screentime that doesn’t come off as simply fan service. The only scene added that felt unnecessary is a scene that involves a run in the cops, it’s the only scene that deserves audible laughter. The story is still an ensemble piece and all the characters get their due. They are still all unique and face different dilemmas in their lives from losing identity to moral dilemma of right and wrong. With twenty-four extra minutes added all these themes feel more fleshed out. The original cut felt choppy and certain aspects felt half-baked, The third act still does feel a little rushed and it doesn’t quite pack the emotional punch it should, but it still doesn’t detract from the overall experience.
One of the fantastic aspects of the graphic novel were the characters and, for the most part, they are all brought to life here perfectly. Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup are the real two standouts with their terrific performances. Haley paints Rorscach the exact same way as the graphic novel did, an extremist who looks at everything in black and white. He delivers a hauntingly unique performance that will be looked upon as iconic character in the superhero film genre. Haley makes you feel the mental state Rorscach is in an eery and uncanny way. Billy Crudup creates a more heartfelt and understanding Dr. Manhattan than the original source material. His drift from humanity is portrayed slowly, believable, and, somewhat, heartbreaking. Crudup’s voice and simple movements add to this sense of distance.
Unsurprisingly, Patrick Wilson and Jefferey Dean Morgan are also quite excellent. Morgan chews every up every scene with his charming and sadistic nature. The original cut shamefully kept The Comedian as a footnote, here Morgan is given more breathing room for his anti-Captain America. Morgan achieves no easy feat of making a narcissist somewhat… charming. You like, but you shouldn’t. This goes to show how truly excellent Morgan is here. Patrick Wilson keeps Dan Drieberg as the most relatable character. He doesn’t really know who he is and he feels lost without his suit. He feels empowered and confident when suited up, a perfect commentary on vigilante machismo. Wilson uses an unquestionable Jimmy Stewart-esque voice and swagger, adding even more to his boy scout persona.
While most fans weren’t too impressed with Malin Ackerman and Matthew Goode, they were perfectly fine- especially Goode who’s quite good. Ackerman, while a bit bland at times, makes up for it by being nice eye candy and doing a great job during the action scenes. She definitely can’t quite handle the more emotional scenes, but she’s by no means distracting. Matthew Goode’s perfectly shows Veidt in the same way as the graphic novel did. He’s arrogant and self-assured, everything the character should be. Goode never makes him into a cartoonish mustache twirling villain, he understands the importance of this. He’s the smartest man in the world, not a “comic book villain.”
Zack Snyder delivered two fun action films with 300 and Dawn of The Dead. Those films showed that stylistically he was fit for Watchmen, but many were worried he wouldn’t be able to bring the substance. Snyder ended up proving them wrong by not just delivering a faithful adaptation, but also a great film. He didn’t make a pure replicate of the graphic novel like many insisted he did. This is still his Watchmen. He keeps intact with all the key and core elements of the novel, but puts his own spin on it. The graphic novel was a commentary on comic books and Snyder’s film serves a a commentary of the horde of superhero films released today. He delves into the psyche and the issues of being a superhero. From that perspective, Watchmen is realistic. If someone puts on a costume, lives another life and goes out looking for trouble, don’t they have to be a bit off the rocker? Finally a film states the obvious. Snyder had to balance a lot and he did it more than admirably. As a side note, yes, the action is fantastic. It’s exactly what you expect from an action pro like Snyder, but now, thanks to Watchmen, he’s more than just a simple action director.
There are still a few nitpicks to be had. Fortunately they aren’t very bothersome and don’t detract from Snyder’s fantastic superior cut. This is just a film that one can’t help to give a pass on a few of its shortcomings considering it’s the Watchmen. A faithful and yet standalone adaptation, no easy feat. It’s a film that is ahead of its time and years from now, after there’s been a countless number of comic book films, more will understand and appreciate what Watchmen had to say about the genre.