I have not read the graphic novel, but I know you can expect a lot of sour grapes from the fanboys who expect that if you can’t film every aspect of it (and there’s NO WAY you could in the amount of time allotted for a single movie on the big screen), you shouldn’t even try. Let’s put it this way, it’s almost 400 pages, 9 panels per page, each panel very dense both in terms of words and visuals, interspersed with long narratives (I said I hadn’t read it, but I have paged through it). There’s no way you could bring every aspect of a story that complex, especially when you consider the number of main characters and the interrelations. So, here’s what I’m going to suggest…put down the graphic novel now, see the movie, and then finish it.
I personally familiarized myself with enough of the back story so I wouldn’t get lost, then I saw the film, and I intend to read the graphic novel soon, which is what I would do with any movie adaptation…rule #1 is the book is ALWAYS better, whether it’s a graphic or a non graphic novel (assuming you enjoy reading, and who doesn’t?). If you read the novel first, well a novel’s only limitation is the imagination of the author and at worst, perhaps an editor might want to cut down the size to make the story “flow” better, but it’s not like with a film where the studio wants proper pacing, and has to be cognizant of the fact that there is no shortage of moviegoers who just don’t have a high tolerance for movies of too great a length. Now, in my opinion, the best movies, my favorites, are the lengthier films…I have absolutely NO problem with a 3 1/2 hour movie if it’s a good movie, but most people start to lose interest after about 90 minutes.
My point is, don’t worry about the people who complain that it’s not as good as the original. Dont’ worry about the people who say it’s too long. If you like good movies, really high quality movies with great stories, told in a unique and interesting way, movies that are stunningly beautiful, deep, intense, generally works of art, you will enjoy this movie. If you have too many preconditions, preconceptions, requirements if you will, you set yourself up for disappointment. Personally, I thought it was a great movie, an excellent one in fact…I give it 10 out of 10, which is something I do for very few films. Essentially, I’ll describe what I liked about it, without giving too much away.
First off, though I’m sure there was plenty of backstory missing (how could there not be?), the movie kicked right off by first giving us the big mystery, the defining moment…the thread that ties the story together. And with it we get an incredible action scene and a demonstration of the physical prowess of these “heroes” who are essentially just regular people (at one point, a knife is thrown so hard it penetrates the glass in a picture without fracturing the glass, such is the level of brute force displayed throughout the movie). Then it launches into a montage scene (set to The Time’s They Are A Changin’) which really essentially sets up the story of how costumed characters came to be, what their history entails and how we got from their inception to present day. Throughout the film we essentially see them develop the plot, but they split plot development with character development, through characters who reminisce or recollect interactions with other characters at certain points. We learn piece by piece who these characters were, who they are, and what has transpired in their lives to bring them from point a to point b. There is the occasional extremely dramatic and impressive fight scene, the occasional impressive and stunningly beautiful CGI scene, there is the occasional love scene….it runs the gamut. And it makes a very interesting point.
Essentially, one current running through the movie is expressed via graffiti we see everywhere wondering “who watches the Watchmen?” And what makes it interesting is that this question expressed in such a throw away manner is really the whole point of the movie. At heart, the Watchmen are individuals determined to save humanity from itself, but the point is, can they do it? Does anything they do really matter? And let’s just say that it has the type of ending that you never see. One that is not at all happy, one that leaves more questions than answers. And one where, let’s face it, there’s NO room for a sequel (you’ll see what I mean).
Anyway, it’s well worth your investment, of time and money, and though I’m sure it’s flawed in relation to the source material (as all film adaptations are), it’s a stand alone work of art which when judged on its own terms is brilliant, unique and beautiful. If you’re into film, not just popcorn movies, but real deep, meaningful film that leaves you with perhaps more questions than answers, I recommend you see it sooner rather than later. If you’re looking for a simple, mindless action flick, don’t waste your time.
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