Just saw Watchmen.

[swedishskinjer]

I saw an advanced screening of Watchmen thanks to a contest in my area from a pretty well-connected shop. Getting in was a tedious process, mostly due to the fact that I was carrying electric appliances that had to be taken back to my truck to ensure that I didn't pull it out and take some pictures of the screening, but it was well worth the wait. Security was also tight, with a few officers asking for my details before I was permitted inside the back room. There were a few dozen people, along with two representatives that were able to take questions on behalf of the cast and producers.

After about twenty minutes, one of the men presiding over the event hushed us and, subsequently, the lights dimmed. The screen was a decent size, slightly smaller than the typical theater fare. Still tolerable, nevertheless. Before I offer my review, let me tell you this: I am not a *huge* Watchmen fan, primarily because I haven't read the entire "series", but I was attracted by the trailers and the drooling from my dorm buddy, who's a shameless comic geek. There also may be a few spoilers here and there, so proceed cautiously.

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Alright, so the beginning. Absolutely fantastic. It does a respectable job of establishing the mood and background. It just screams, "Period piece." From what I understand, it condensed scenes throughout the series and reformed them into one whole explanation. It sort of functioned like a flashback with some very appropriate music, and I loved it. So far, everything is promising.

I won't detail each scene for the sake of not boring you all into oblivion, but the subsequent murder of the Comedian, a government-connected vigilante (the only one besides Dr. Manhattan) who is supposedly responsible for the assassination of JFK, is well-done. Snyder has a way of taking slow-mo technology and using it brilliantly. Nothing is overdone or half-baked in this scene. It all just submits itself as a massive "Whodunnit?" with a Christian Bale-esque narration by Rorschach, a detective/vigilante who wants to know why a man connected with the Watchmen was murdered. He suspects a conspiracy, and he wants every answer available.

And damn, the actor responsible for portraying this character had his work cut out for him. Wearing an ink-splattered mask that shifts from differing emotions leaves very little room for physical representation. His constantly gruff voice seems so alive and emotional, and the character's movements and mannerisms are so distinct and convey a different message each time. Kudos to the actor and his talents. For the rest of the cast: they were pretty spot-on. My only gripe was with Ozymandias, who seemed like more of an "upper-class socialite" than a conflicted intellectual who has a differing view of how to deliver harmony to the Soviet Union and the United States - the seemingly inevitable conflict between these two countries is the backbone of the film, driving the characters, their actions, and their solutions. However, Ozymandias does have some moments of brilliance.

Dr. Manhattan was the most intriguing Watchman. Rendered god-like and emotionally detached by some machinery gone awry, Manhattan is the only actual "hero" who has genuine powers. From obliterating the Viet Kong to coming to terms with his gradual disinterest with humanity, every moment Manhattan has on-screen is nothing short of brilliant. The genitals were slightly distracting, but whatever suits them...

I know I'm going from one area to the next, but Watchmen is just that complex. It's difficult to explain. Even if you knew the entire storyline of the film beforehand (which is altered slightly, with the very appropriate ending being the most anti-purist revision), every moment would still have a powerfully unforgettable impact on you. It has everything that made V for Vendetta such a masterpiece. It deals with politics, love, violence, war, the darkness of human nature, resistance, and so much more...

Oh, yes, and it's brutal. There's a rape scene, some sex, a head being crushed in a toilet, and a lot of other discomforting action. However, what I like is that it all has a purpose. Each killing is not without some reasoning. It's a mature action flick that somehow manages to flawlessly shift between being a political piece, an action film, an enthralling drama, and so much more. Each set conveys a message. And every message is just as powerful as the last.

Fans won't be disappointed. The unitiated may find themselves greatly impressed. This is a film that's just begging for highly negative reviews and glowingly positive reviews. Just know this: don't come into the theater anticipating a typical superhero flick. Watchmen is much more complex and artistic than that.

9/10