Watchmen: Stafff's take Article by Stafffighter, 05:28 PM 06th Mar The movie Watchmen fails utterly in bringing the acclaimed book to life. Fortunately it was never trying to. Director Zack Snyder brings to us a striking display. Real life somehow feels more than real in a way that could be called gaudy if it didn’t accomplish the same eye catching that the unusual color palette brought to the book. In the context of showing a real world with brightly colored heroes in it is done brilliantly. The ensemble cast inhabit their roles utterly. As Rorschach, the narrator and soul of the story, Jackie Earle Haley retains the absolutes that have attracted readers for decades to the man who isn’t out to be liked. Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II is never afraid to show the insecurities of a shlub who fell into a career in heroics. Malin Akerman makes Silk Spectre II radiate the sheltered girl who hates herself for loving what she was raised to do. On top of all this, literally, Billy Crudup presents Dr. Manhattan with the gentle disinterest that let’s us know we can’t see his world without hating him for it. The dialog, which at times is intentionally patronizing, gives a voice to each character. It comes off as real and unapologetic. The grandeur that could alienate some is completely necessary in that this is a grand story told by and around grand people. The action is believably over the top. You feel that there are regular people doing extraordinary things, which is exactly what almost all of the characters are. It is visceral and honorable in intent. Music chosen for this film is at the same time familiar and tantalizing. The viewer is asked what these songs they’ve heard a million times mean now in this setting. It accomplishes the same as the visuals in showing that this is real. What the story is, you know. In most films, even adaptations, there is a margin of detachment. However anyone who would go to this as a comic book film knows Watchmen. To that I say this, you cannot watch a book. This movie shows what was otherwise told and makes changes along the way in order to accomplish this goal. What we’re left with is something that does not tell the book but does tell the story. Everything that Watchmen means is intact here, if told in a different means. If you can forgive that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I give it a perfect four stars. Back to The Endless Crew