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| Gary Wolcott's "Mr. Movie" column has appeared in the Tri-City Herald since 1992. The Tri-City native now lives in Portland, Ore., and watches about 250 movies each year. He believes movies are made to be seen on theater screens and should be seen there and not on television screens. Have a question for Mr. Movie? Click on "Add Comment" below. |
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Watchmen is based on 12 comic books published in 1986 and 1987. So popular was the series that it has gained cult status.
My apologies to fans if I don’t get it exactly right. Having never read them I can only give you my understanding of the gist of what is probably a riveting saga.
Key word: probably.
Richard Nixon is president and gets elected to a constitutionally problematic fourth term. The U.S. is on the verge of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. There are two sets of so-called super heroes. Most have more in common with the mere mortal Batman than Superman. Group one are out of the 1940s. Their replacements are 1980s modern day.
The Nixon administration bans all super hero activity unless it is done for the government. Only Dr. Manhattan, once human and a nudist living more in the quantum universe than our pitiful four dimensions and in possession of awesome super powers and the duplicitous Comedian take the president up on his offer.
Watchmen starts with the murder of the Comedian who doubles as a semi-link from the new group to the old. Rorschach, a good guy but with tendencies toward violent near-sociopath behavior, investigates and learns of a conspiracy to rule the world. Dragged into the mystery and into romance is Night Owl and Dr. Manhattan’s estranged girlfriend Silk Spectre.
Something like that. Watchmen runs 2:40 and change and I’m still processing. Despite the running time, this complex and compelling story whips by in a blink. The CliffsNotes treatment leaves the uninitiated like me wanting more and slathering fans of the comics ticked that director Zack Snyder, his crew and the cast didn’t get it quite right.
How could you in a mere 2:40?
Regular readers know my less is more movie philosophy. For me to be screaming for more — lots more — is abnormal. Snyder and the producers should have taken Watchmen, bundled the comics into fours and turned this into three excellent three hour movies and made zillons instead of just millions of dollars.
A plot update where George Bush is elected to four terms might be funnier and more relatable to today’s audience.
Whether you love or hate Snyder’s (300) interpretation, few are going to question the value of the production. This is a visual feast, an eye-popping mix of unique, other worldly special effects and retro sets caught somewhere between modern art and stuff you’d see in flicks in the 1940s.
There are flaws. Snyder should have paid more attention to the sound. It is terrible and at times nearly impossible to understand the muffled dialogue. The brainpower and creativity behind the 12 comics tale deserves better.
Imperfections aside, Watchmen the movie is definitely watchable and is the rare film with content so original that a sequel is a must. With all cards in the deck now on the table the only place the producers can go for a sequel is a prequel.
It’s not what Watchmen deserves, but it’ll work.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 1/2 stars
Rated R for mature themes, violence gore, nudity including full frontal male nudity, language. It opens Friday, March 6 at the Columbia Mall 8 and at Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
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