I Watched The Watchmen

I went and saw Watchmen today. I thought it was great. It has been at least ten years since I read the graphic novel, twenty years since the novel came out. Of what I remember of that book, I think the film is as faithful as possible, while keeping it accessible to those who haven't read it. It is sort of a cinematic Cliff Notes as many sub plots and tertiary characters were cut out (though all of that is rumored to be included as bonus features for the DVD).

At times the films visuals made me think of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but while that film was visually interesting but devoid of emotion, Watchmen had both. It is also packed with some great action sequences and some very good acting, especially Jackie Earle Haley as Rorshach, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian.

Though this is a "superhero" movie I would not take the kids. The violence is over the top and there are a couple fairly graphic sex scenes. It officially clocks in at just under three hours but only felt like two. I can't wait for the DVD.

Speaking of DVDs, there are two Watchmen related DVDs currently available, neither of which I have seen.

Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic is a fire-hour long cartoon version of the graphic novel drawn by the original artist and Watchmen: Tales Of The Black Freighter & Under The Hood is an hour long and includes two subplots cut from the film. I am tempted to buy these now, but I will wait until the Watchmen DVD comes out this summer in case these parts will be included in that DVD's extras.