I went to see The Watchmen today. It was a really good movie, and very different from your typical superhero film. I've never read the comic it's based on, so I was able to go into it without any preconceptions of what it should or shouldn't be. And now having seen the film I really want to pick up the comic, especially since I've seen some reviews mention the movie ends a bit differently than the comic.
More after the jump... (Spoilers)
The movie opens with the death of The Comedian which leads fellow Watchmen member, Rorschach to believe someone is out to kill masked vigilantes like them. The real reason for The Comedian's death turns out to be more sinister than that. As Rorschach tries to convince his fellow Watchmen they are in danger he gets closer to the truth. Eventually being framed for a murder he didn't commit landing him in jail and hopefully out of the way.
His stay in prison leads to one of the best lines in the film. Having put many of the people in the jail their to begin with one of them tries to get revenge only to have hot oil thrown in his face by Rorschach who shots as the guards subdue him, "You've got it wrong. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with me!"
Eventually Nite Owl and Silk Spectre come to break him out, and head to get Ozymandias' help to find the mask killer. Unable to locate Ozymandias they check his office finding the true reason for The Comedian's death. Ozymandias wants to stop the impending nuclear war by killing millions of people and making them believe Dr. Manhattan did it. And to prevent Dr. Manhattan from stopping him Ozymandias forces him to flee the Earth by manipulating Dr. Manhattan's slipping connections to humanity. Rorschach and Nite Owl head to stop Ozymandias at his Antarctic headquarters where the face off for the final showdown to stop the death of millions. But they soon learn saving the world isn't as simple as taking down the villain.
Having not read the comic I can't really say which is better, but I do recommend watching The Watchmen if you get the chance. They do a good job of letting you really get to know most of the main characters so you actually feel for them at the end. The only ones who didn't get a lot of background time were Nite Owl and Ozymandias which hopefully might be included in an extended cut DVD. The ending is unique for a superhero film in that the good guys don't necessarily win. I'd give it a 9/10.
If you've seen The Watchmen what was your opinion of the film?
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