Film Review: Watchmen (2009)
British writer Alan Moore is widely regarded as one of the greatest authors in the comic book industry. His reputation is largely built on a series of acclaimed graphic novels, among which Watchmen, 1986 miniseries, co-created with artist Dave Gibbons and colourist John Higgins, stands stands out as his magnum opus. Many of Moore’s works became popular among Hollywood producers, leading to big budget adaptations, but Moore consistently tried to distance himself from cinematic interpretations of his work, often with good reason. He continued this habit with 2009 adaptation of Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, demanding that his name be removed from credits, just adding to the film’s reputation as one of the most divisive works in Snyder’s filmography.
The plot of Watchmen unfolds in an alternate history set in October 1985, where superheroes and masked vigilantes have not only existed but have also significantly influenced global events. In this universe, these extraordinary individuals played pivotal roles in shaping the Cold War dynamics and even assisted the United States in winning the Vietnam War, allowing Richard Nixon to secure an unprecedented fifth term as president. However, public sentiment towards these heroes soured over time, leading to the enactment of the Keene Act in 1977, which prohibited their activities. While some characters like Jon Osterman a.k.a. Dr. Manhattan, portrayed by Billy Crudup, continue to serve the government due to their unique abilities, others like Laurie Jupiter a.k.a. Silk Spectre and Daniel Dreiberg a.k.a. Nite Owl have retired from their vigilante lives. Conversely, Walter Kovacs a.k.a. Rorschach, crime-fighting vigilante played by Jackie Earle Haley, continues to operate outside the law. The murder of Edward Blake a.k.a. The Comedian (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), an embittered veteran vigilante with a controversial past, serves as the catalyst for the plot. The investigation of the crime coincides with rising tensions from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, pushing the world closer to nuclear annihilation.
Efforts to adapt Watchmen to the big screen began almost immediately after its original publication. Over the next two decades, numerous notable filmmakers attempted to bring it to life on screen but ultimately failed; Terry Gilliam famously labelled it “unfilmable.” However, the success of high-budget superhero films in the early 21st century—coupled with darker and more adult-themed comic book adaptations such as Sin City and Snyder’s own 300—demonstrated that such projects could indeed thrive commercially. Given this context, Snyder was granted a substantial budget of approximately $150 million along with considerable creative freedom, resulting in what became one of Hollywood's most highly anticipated blockbusters at that time.
Despite its anticipation and generally positive reviews, Watchmen ultimately underperformed at the box office. Critics acknowledged its ambition but expressed a lack of enthusiasm or understanding regarding its execution. As a result, many view Watchmen as a failure or at least one of Snyder's more obscure films compared to his later works within the DC Extended Universe.
The reception of Watchmen often hinges on whether viewers are familiar with Moore's graphic novel. Those who approach it without prior knowledge may find themselves overwhelmed by its intricate plot and extensive cast of characters. The narrative complexity is further compounded by numerous flashbacks that contribute to its nearly three-hour runtime. Additionally, audiences expecting a conventional superhero film akin to The Avengers may be disillusioned by its pervasive bleakness and graphic violence. The protagonists are deeply flawed individuals whose morally ambiguous actions culminate in one of the darkest conclusions seen within the superhero genre.
Conversely, readers of the graphic novel may appreciate Snyder’s audacious attempt to condense and adapt such a rich literary source into a feature film format. As an ardent fan of Watchmen, Snyder employed images from the comic book as a storyboard for his cinematic vision—much like he did with 300. This dedication is evident in his efforts to remain faithful to Moore’s narrative while also attempting to capture its thematic depth.
Visually, Watchmen is a triumph of style. The film opens with an innovative sequence that utilises iconic historical images from the 1940s through to the 1970s to narrate Moore’s alternate reality—a world that mirrors our own while diverging significantly from it. The inclusion of period-appropriate songs further enhances this immersive experience.
The film features an impressive ensemble cast; Jeffrey Dean Morgan delivers a standout performance as The Comedian—arguably the most morally compromised character among them—while Jackie Earle Haley shines as Rorschach, embodying an uncompromising vigilante ethos.
However, not all directorial choices resonate positively; some elements detract from the overall experience. For instance, Robert Wisden’s portrayal of Richard Nixon suffers from excessive makeup that renders him almost unrecognisable, contributing to an overly cartoonish aesthetic. Similarly, a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” during an awkwardly staged sex scene feels out of place within the film’s otherwise serious tone.
Ultimately, Snyder manages to accomplish more right than wrong with Watchmen. He preserves nearly all aspects of Moore's intricate plot—albeit with some alterations to its conclusion—ensuring that the film stands as a significant deconstruction of superhero mythology on screen. In many respects, it was ahead of its time; offering a darker and more critical lens on comic book heroes paved the way for later works such as HBO's The Boys.
The lack of commercial success curtailed any plans for sequels or franchise expansions; however, Snyder's adaptation garnered a devoted fanbase that led to various extended versions being released over subsequent years. In 2019, HBO introduced a miniseries created by Damon Lindelof that diverged from certain plot points established in Snyder's film and can be interpreted more as a reboot than a direct sequel.
When compared with contemporary superhero films—including those within the Marvel Cinematic Universe—Watchmen distinguishes itself through its grand scale and narrative complexity. It embraces risks that many modern superhero narratives shy away from. Consequently, it is recommended not only for fans of comic book adaptations but also for those seeking quality cinema that challenges conventional storytelling norms within this genre.
RATING: 8/10 (+++)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9
Posted Using InLeo Alpha