Eye Candy #79 - "Watchmen"

Watchmen: Would have given this 4 ½ stars if it had been possible. It’s not perfect, but it’s very, very good. Based on the seminal comic story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, about a post-capes and pajamas contemporary world, their superheroes, and the drama inherent within. The Watchmen are a former team of superheroes outlawed by President Nixon. When one of their number is murdered, some of the remaining members work to find out who is killing superheroes and why. Epic in scope (almost 3 hours long), extremely faithful to the source materials (with a changed ending, same outcome-different route), with a good mix of high concept, comedy, and action. This is one of those rare films where the casting is pitch perfect - Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach and Patrick Wilson as Daniel Dreiberg, it’s like they fell right off the page and they anchor they film so well. Matthew Goode, Malin Akerman, and Jeffery Dean Morgan are all solid as well. The film has the usual struggles of a film with an almost 3 hour running time - there are lapses in energy, some of the dialogue while necessary, is tedious. It feels episodic, just like the comic. Best bits - those involving Rorschach, particularly his scenes in prison. However, due to the story (the comic isn’t the easiest read on the planet), this film will do one of two things: 1.) be embraced by the audience and make a tidy sum at the box office; or 2.) it will go right over the bulk of their heads. And this film is decidedly not for children, unless you are okay with near constant nudity involving blue men and a love scene cribbed by Skinemax. Director Zack Snyder turns in his third major release film (after “300” and “Dawn of the Dead”) and it is GOOD. Woodchuck sez, “Lives up to the hype.”