I'd like to think that my writing has matured over the last year or so. I no longer shirk at challenges or dive for cover when reviewing even the simplest of materials. In fact I've recently become so outspoken about my jaded cynicism that people have become afraid of talking about films around me in case they throw me into a rant.
I'm still terrified of reviewing Watchmen.
Why? To put it simply; I'm terrified of reviewing this film because there is no consensus. At all. Not that I tailor my reviews to fit the consensus, but when reviewing something that could have me killed by over one thousand rabid fans I like to know where they stand so I can prepare accordingly. Therefore the problem with Watchmen is that I don't what is going to happen to me, however it's likely that it will end with my death no matter what I say.
Ah to hell with it, I'm already owed a few stabbings for my opinions on Twilight. I'm not going to hide from a few Watchmen fans when there are armies of rabid eight year olds after me.
Watchmen is based upon the masterful graphic novel of the same name written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons (which is reviewed here) and given the graphic novel's immense fan base, reputation as the greatest graphic novel of all time and Alan Moore's firm opposition to a film adaptation, this film was always going to be fraught with difficulties. Difficulties known as fans.
So to combat the worries of the fans the “visionary” director of 300 Zack Snyder was hired onto the set. Everyone thought the film was going to be cancelled again (Watchmen has been in and out development for over 20 years now, at point Arnold Schwarzenegger [Terminator, Predator and Batman and Robin] was rumoured to play Dr. Manhattan. Fun fact time is now over) and no-one much cared any more.
Then the first trailer came out, people realised that the film was actually going to happen and the nerd rage started. People were actually bitching about this film from the trailer, me included embarrassingly enough. Is it any wonder I was scared to review this?
So, I went into the theatre expecting to hate this with a passion. I didn't like 300, I'd never heard of any of the actors and I was of the opinion that Alan Moore is always right. Always. What did I actually think?
It's perfect.
After the film began I calmed down. I saw that Snyder has pretty much adapted the comic panel for panel. I begin to enjoy the story and settle in a dazed haze of happiness. The changed ending doesn't bother me, it seems to make more sense. It's perfect in every way.
At first I was worried that this was just me having a huge geek out. I ask the people who came to cinema with me. They think it's perfect too.
I can't really offer much else in the way of critique. I admit that the soundtrack is hugely inappropriate at points and that the women playing silk spectre is awful but when put into this array of perfection it doesn't really matter. Besides the woman play Silk Spectre, the acting is outstanding (special mention must be given to [fill in later] for his portrayal of Rorschach) and when sound is used correctly it is amazing.
All right I'm done. Watchmen is perfect. All is right with the world. I don't even care if you kill me now.
10/10
No comments:
Post a Comment