I am not a born comic book nerd. I have not read Watchmen a thousand times and I have not been waiting for years for the film to come out. I didn't know much of anything about it until my husband started talking about it. He told me that I had to see the movie with him when it came out, but that the only way I had a chance of understanding it was if I read the book first. I wasn't sure if the whole thing would really appeal to me, but I wanted to give it a shot. We went to Borders to get a copy and I began to read.
*Warning* This blog will not be an egotistical comic snob/nerd/geek ranting about how they never should have done the movie. Aren't there enough blogs like that already?
Although the whole comic book layout threw me off at first and it took me a while to really get the hang of reading and absorbing all of the content, it took me less than a week to finish it. At the beginning I was constantly asking my husband questions and going back and re-reading portions to try to fully understand what was going on and who was who. There were a lot of street faces and masked faces to match up. The funeral scene was a particularly confusing part for me. They would show a frame or two of a face and then flash back.
This is one of the reasons that I really liked the movie. For me, the movie made parts of the book make so much more sense. It was easier to recognize right off the bat the faces in the movie. During Comedian's funeral in the movie, I found myself going, "Ooooh, NOW that makes sense!" Not out loud, of course, because everyone hates a movie talker. The hubby was a trooper, by the way, not getting to see the movie at midnight because of me. No way I could have functioned at work the next day on 3 hours of sleep or less. But it turned out well, actually, because we went the next day right after school and there was only about 20 people in the theater with us. Plus, the tickets are always cheaper during the day.
I am so glad now that I read the book first. Not only has it opened my eyes to graphic novels, but it made me appreciate and enjoy the movie so much more. My sister-in-law's boyfriend went to see the movie before reading the book and he said that it wasn't worth the money he paid to see it. He's much more enthusiastic about it now, since the hubs explained the story to him and allowed him to loose MY copy of the book! This book definitely merits another reading for sure. Can't wait to get my book back!
I do have to say that after reading the book, I was very aware when small parts were left out of the movie. This didn't really bother me though. I was more surprised that I was able to pick up on the small details. It was almost as if I could see the pages of the book in my head.
My one big beef: Ok so I'll admit, this is a silly thing to complain about. But the one thing that really made me mad at the movie was the scene where Night Owl and Silk Specter are down in his... office? Lair? Owl cave? He lets her try on his goggles and after she puts them on, she says, "This rocks". No, no, no, no, no, no, no! This was not what she said in the book. And even if they were taking liberties here, they should have taken into account that she would NOT have said something rocks in the 80s. Buh. Shame. (I told you it would sound silly)
So, if you haven't read the book or seen the movie, who are the main character? From top to bottom, left to right:
- Rorshach - real name Walter Kovacs - played by Jackie Earle Haley
- The Comedian - real name Edward Morgan Blake - played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan
- Dr. Manhattan - real name Jon Osterman - played by Billy Crudup
- Silk Spectre II - real name Laurie Juspeczk - played by Malin Akerman
- Nite Owl II - real name Dan Deiberg - played by Patrick Wilson
- Ozymandias - real name Adrian Veidt - played by Matthew Gowe
Ozymandias is an egotistical jackass. "I think so much of myself that I am going to put a hit out on ME and then kill my own assassin." He might be considered the smartest man in the world, but I bet his real manhood is lacking. He was probably really mean in high school, too.
Dr. Manhattan is an asswipe. He's pretty cool before he accidentally gets destroyed and put back together as the only superhero with powers in the story, but after he turns my favorite color, he goes on my shit-list. He doesn't see humanity for what it really is. Plus, anyone who would multiply himself so he could do something else while still doing Laurie is a total dumb ass. Really? You can't take 20 minutes to get it on? It's not like you don't have one! Even standing outside in Antarctica your junk is hangin just as low. Put it to actual use!
The Comedian is a mean-ass. He tries to rape the original Silk Spectre (Laurie's mother), he impregnates and then kills a women in Vietnam, and has a very all around twisted sense of humor and justice. This can't be the same guy who plays Denny on Grey's Anatomy! Of course, it's his death at the beginning of the story that sets everything into motion. He gets killed by Adrian because he figured out that turd's plan.
Nite Owl II, don't be so hard on yourself. He's a-okay in my book. Even though he dresses as my childhood terror, his intentions are in the right place and so is his heart. I wish I had all his money! But unlike Ozy, Dan doesn't let his money turn him into a douche. He took in Laurie, put it IN Laurie and busted Rorscache out of prison. Don't let your impotency define who you are, Dan!
Silk Spectre is a cutie. I don't know why she stayed with Jon for so long. He seemed to take away her independence. Aside from beating up a few prisoners in the jail, though, she really doesn't bring too much to the "hero" label. Although what she doesn't whoop ass, she totally makes up for with that HOT sex scene with Night Owl. (Cue porn music) Thanks for showing us your boobies, Laurie! If that scene doesn't put you in the mood, your libido needs a serious check. Hurray as well for about the only happy part of the ending - her and Dan stayed together. Now, if she could just get him to put the toilet seat down...
Oh yeah, and she's the daughter of the Comedian. She doesn't find out until after he's gone.
Rorshach is the ultimate bad-ass of the movie. But he had to have a totally screwed up childhood to get that way. I was super pissed when I read the book and then again viewing the movie that he dies at the end. I get that it's because of his manner and character and that he being who he is couldn't just let it go that so many people died and the real reason had to be kept a secret. But still! Does the guy ever get to have even one ounce of happiness in his life EVER? I have to admit though, it threw me off at how much the black on his mask moved around in the film. It really distracted me from what was going on. Rorshach is essential to the story, because he is the one who brings everyone together. If he hadn't been sneaking into people's houses and scaring the shite out of everyone, who knows what would have happened.
The alternate ending to the movie...
I honestly don't see why it was necessary. Bazillions of people dying all over the world because of what they believe was Dr. Manhattan? Or half of New York by a giant squid alien? I suppose Dan Phillips from his article on IGN was right when he says that it would have taken too much time to set up the actual ending in the movie. (You can read his critique here: http://comics.ign.com/articles/960/960199p1.html) Let's be honest: if the movie were much longer, we'd be getting into Titanic length and everybody knows that's a no-no!
If the movie seems too dense and depressing for you, let's cheer it up a bit:
Surely the Charlie Brown version would be way different, don't you think?Watchmen is one of those stories that you can read over and over and notice new things every time. I very much approve.
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