DVD Review: Watchmen

Someone’s killing our super heroes. The year is 1985 and super heroes have banded together to respond to the murder of one of their own. They soon uncover a sinister plot that puts all of humanity in grave danger. The super heroes fight to stop the impending doom only to find themselves a target for annihilation. But, if our super heroes are gone, who will save us?

Review:
Most people enjoyed 2004’s remake of Dawn of the Dead. Director Zack Snyder returned two years later, with the big screen adaptation of the graphic novel 300, and blew peoples’ minds. When it was time to bring the best selling Watchmen series to Hollywood, Snyder was the first one to get the call.

The “Doomsday Clock” has been permanently set to five minutes until midnight. The clock was designed to signify the mounting resistance between Russia and the United States, and the threat of nuclear war. The year is 1985, the setting an alternate America. Who in their right minds would develop a plot to take down a group of vigilantes known as “Watchmen?” Why would someone go out of their way to try and take away one of the few things left that stand in the way of normal citizens and the brink of chaos? After Edward “The Comedian” Blake is murdered in his high rise apartment building, another masked vigilante, Rorschach, will stop at nothing to find who’s responsible. Rorschach fears that the other Watchmen, including himself, may be on the very same hit list. He sets out to gather his old colleagues together to find the answers to these questions before it’s too late for all of them. The Watchmen’s job is to keep a watchful eye over humanity…but who will watch over the Watchmen?

I recently read over some online discussion boards about whether or not the director’s cut of Watchmen was better than the theatrical version. The Blu Ray director’s cut reached just over 3 hours in length. The theatrical version was closer to two and a half hours, which in my opinion, is more than enough for an action film. After talking with many customers, I’ve learned that not many people are fans of action flicks passing the two hour mark. I also went into this story not knowing anything about “Watchmen” prior to my viewing. I personally felt that the characters were boring and not very creative. I thought the coolest character was Rorschach, who kept his face hidden behind a mask most of the movie (the news of Jackie Earle Haley playing Freddy Krueger next year did excite me, however).

All in all, the film was an interesting watch that drug on a bit too long. If I can say anything really complimenting about this film, I’d have to say you can sense Zack Snyder’s 300 style from the opening scene, all the way to the finale. Most up-to-date action fans like the slow motion compliments, and gritty, yet high resolution master shots. I do hope 2011’s Avengers movie will be a much better superhero collaborative adventure.

Review by Charlie Giltenboth

Grade: C
Official site: http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index.html
Buy on Amazon: Watchmen