Watchmen (Ultimate Cut) [4K UHD]

DIRECTOR'S CUT REVIEW (This review contains very minor SPOILERS. I emphasize "MINOR". I do not give away the ending, nor any key plot elements. Those that have read the graphic novel will hear about some differences. Those unfamiliar with it will largely be none the wiser. All that being said, if you want a 100% untainted fresh look, you might wish to avoid this review.)Alright, let's get a few things out of the way. I'm late to the review party here, but felt it necessary to praise this film.That being said, to those unfamiliar with the graphic novel upon which it is based, I can understand how this might be impenetrable to you. Warner Brothers didn't do the general public any favors by marketing this as a generic "super-hero" movie. It isn't. It's about as far as you can get from it.Before extolling the positives of this film, I'll first deal with the misconceptions and then the genuine negatives.Misconceptions and other silly gripes:- Again, Warner Brothers tried to mislead the public about what this film was about. Many walked in thinking they were seeing a Batman or Superman clone only to see the protagonists engage in genuinely unseemly behavior. If you were hoodwinked, I'm sorry. But this is meant to be a gritty and dark story. There are no pure "heroes" even though most of the characters have good intentions. Alan Moore wrote a story that emphasizes human fallibility over the god-like cookie-cutter pure super heroes that had been prevalent for so long. In so doing, he revolutionized the genre. No apologies are necessary. If you want an uplifting story, this is not for you.- No small measure of griping was directed at Dr. Manhattan's nudity. His nudity is meant to express his growing distance from humanity. As he becomes less human, he loses normal human notions of modesty and shame. I'll agree that it wasn't explained perfectly in the film. That being said, if you have that much issue with the naked male form, perhaps you should seek counseling.- The politics are nonsensical. Absolutely true. Contemporary commentary on Watchmen (the GN) illustrated a lot of praise for the "political message". If there's a coherent political message in there, I'll freely admit that I've never found it. Any political message intended to be conveyed falls apart quickly upon any real analysis. Alan Moore, for as much as I admire him as a story teller, was never, in my opinion, a brilliant political philosopher. What is left is a strong tale of ethical and moral quandaries. As far as I'm concerned, that's where the story shines.- The "squid". If you've read the story, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't (and are still reading), skip to the next section. Yes, Snyder chose to get rid of the squid in favor of another plot device. Some fanboys cried foul. I'd argue that they're mostly wrong. The plot device selected in its place works quite well and does not change the impact of the story in any meaningful way.Genuine gripes (and some that aren't):- Silk Spectre in Archie: In the GN, there is a scene where young Silk Spectre, attempting to light her cigarette, pushes a button while sitting in an airship. The button depicts an image of flame. She assumes (incorrectly) that it is the button for the cigarette lighter. Instead, she activates the flamethrowers. It is a moment of comic relief in the GN. In the film, due to what I can only guess is the general demonization of smoking that is going around, the scene is changed in a minor but very important way. Silk Spectre is not looking to light a cigarette (because, presumably, that would be bad...despite the film having an R rating). Instead, she impishly pushes a button marked with flame designs on it for no apparent reason. I would have preferred that they cut the scene entirely or stick to the original story rather than transform Silk Spectre from a woman who made an honest mistake into a mischievous bimbo.- Casting: Overall, it's not bad. Matthew Goode as Ozymandias will disappoint many. His swallowed consonants and underwhelming physique make it tough to accept him as the closest thing to a "perfect man" that the original story indicates that he is. Malin Akerman performs admirably, for the most part, as the young Silk Spectre, but she is still a bit too young for the role (this only compounds the script-writing sin mentioned in the previous gripe). Patrick Wilson also comes across as slightly too young for his character, the younger Nite Owl, but it's close enough. I had initial reservations about Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan, but I believe that he fills the role quite well (his relatively soft voice is initially off-putting to anyone familiar with the GN, but the distant and emotionless portrayal (that's a compliment for this role) brings it back). Jeffrey Dean Morgan is well cast as the Comedian. Jackie Earle Haley is absolutely brilliant as Rorschach.- Rorschach scene changes: Without going into any specific details, there are a few scenes that are changed when Rorschach faces villains: prison cell scene 1 (saw rather than torch) and kidnapper scene (axe rather than fire). Honestly I don't know why the changes were made. They seem rather pointless to me, but I'll freely admit that they're more or less lateral steps rather than improvements or detractions. They seem unnecessary, but they don't harm the portrayal or the story in any significant way.- Bubastas: Fans of the GN will recall that Ozymandias dabbles in genetic engineering. It makes sense that he has a genetically engineered blue tiger with horns ("Bubastas") as a pet. In the original story, the genetic/bio engineering feeds into the "squid" story line. With the "squid" gone and no mention of Ozymandias' hobby of genetic engineering, we're left with an unexplained mutant tiger. It's a minor point, but an illustration of how this film can be impenetrable to those unfamiliar with the GN. Things have been changed at times with no effort to pick up the slack for the now-lost information that was conveyed by such scenes. It would have been better to cut the tiger completely or to include a throwaway line about how Ozymandias dabbles in genetic engineering. Instead, we're left with what I can only assume is well-intentioned fan service that only serves to alienate the uninitiated audience.- Director's cut does not contain the Black Freighter footage: In the original GN, the story was paralleled quite well by another story called "Tales of the Black Freighter". It worked quite well in the GN, but I do think that the screen version benefits from the absence of the Black Freighter footage.Finally, the pros: Cinematography is excellent, soundtrack is mostly spot-on to convey the mood intended, story is very strong, acting is mostly well done, and the director's cut restores some footage that expands on and clarifies the story quite well.Bottom line: This is a story that has long been considered "unfilmable". I think Snyder proved everyone wrong. This is an admirable effort to portray the Watchmen story that is, while not perfect, better than most fans ever anticipated. I do need to caution that those unfamiliar with the original story may find themselves lost. I think Snyder made every effort to balance sometimes conflicting goals of: staying true to the story, adapting elements that were not really fit for the big screen, and condensing where necessary. At times, exposition to the non-initiated may have suffered as a result of the choices made.

A director's cut that adds around 24 minutes definitely had some added value. Always hate director's cuts that add like 5 minutes, but this was a substantial add to an already very good movie. Enjoyed seeing super heroes that often were just ordinary people. A batman wannabe. A black widow wannabe. A hard charging psychopath. Mixing with a godlike figure. And the story is not about fighting crime, but about larger issues. And the alternate historical timeline is fun.

A blood spattered Smiley-face button kisses the street following the pavement plastering of its owner. Is he one of the superheroes so revered from the "Watchmen" comic book? Do comic book superheroes die like this? I thought not. Questions such as these are quite apropos for someone like me who can't remember flipping a single page from this genre of literature. Theretofore, it must be duly noted that this production, adapted from Alan Moore's classic graphic novel is anti-typically at odds with your everyday blue-collar superhero, however; this is the principle ingredient which makes it so memorably special.Considering that Watchmen tip-toes off the celestial heels of the most successful comic book film "The Dark Knight," I sincerely had my doubts of its capableness. "Tip-toes," dare I say? No...it catapults and soars within the stratosphere of The Dark Knight, and should be saluted akin to this decorated four-star general.The story circles the lives of six satirical neophytes; unlikely crime fighters that pick up where an initial post World War II band leaves off in the late 60's - early 70's. Even superheroes aren't immune to the effects of time, so it is this new group upon which the central plot revolves. Unfortunately, their time and effort is short lived when the "Keene Act" bill is passed by Congress in 1977, banning costumed crime fighting or masked vigilantes.Whimsically, skip forward to 1985, Nixon in his third term of presidency, and the remnant of all their inspirational gallantry has trickled down to mere common recollection. Ordinarily, this circumstance wouldn't be so austere, but the majority of these 'recollections' are filled with petulance and indifference, while a nuclear holocaust is at large.Jackie Earle Haley adeptly plays the psychoneurotic inkblot-masked man, Rorschach. Intrinsically, the shifting Guernsey-mask is `his face.' He is the one `super member', who remains dedicated to his political convictions, detesting both communists and liberals. Lines are never blurred, but, always crossed with his mindset. During an argument with Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), Rorschach summarizes his stance on evil; "Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon. That's always been the difference between us." Embedded at the forefront of the tangled plot, Rorschach's contributions are immense. Why does Nixon not absolutely adore this guy? Come winter, Hayley should be adored with yet another "Oscar-worthy" Best Supporting Actor nomination. He's that uncompromisingly good.A complicated love saga involves the aforementioned Nite Owl II, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), and Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman). Dr. Manhattan, the lone superhero with true superhuman powers, is the apple of Nixon's political eye. He and the sexy long-legged Silk Spectre II are subsidized by the government to prevent national threats and crisis, and live together on a military base. But when Manhattan disappears to Mars, her subsidy disappears with him, so she begins co-habitating with Dan, a.k.a. Nite Owl II. Her ambivalent feelings towards Manhattan create some imposingly erotic moments between her and Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson); notably one set to Leonard Cohen's moody "Hallelujah." Wilson and Ms. Akerman play their roles with pizzazz and a sultry sort of jazz. Crudup shines as the detached and reluctant "savior." 'Shine' is the proper verb to describe Dr. Manhattan, being that he also resembles blue halogen on HGH. It's not his fault.Rounding out the disjointed crew includes "The Comedian" (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), "Adrien" Veidt, a.k.a. Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), not to mention Carla Gugino as Silk Spectre II's mother, "Silk Spectre I." The Comedian, a.k.a. Edward Blake; a very intriguing charter member of the club for the most part appears in flashbacks. There's a worthy explanation for this, which I don't care to spoil. He dawns a very cynical and mischievous observation on crime fighting and life in the 80's. Speaking with Dan Dreiberg a.k.a. Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), in answering his question, "What happened to us? What happened to the American Dream?" The Comedian retorts with conviction, "What happened to the American Dream? It came true! You're lookin' at it..." And as Bob Dylan chimes away in his philosophical song of reveille, "Then you better start swimmin'...or you'll sink like a stone...for the times they are a-changin'. Contrary to The Comedian's ulterior belief, it's not "all a joke." Jeffrey Dean Morgan is consummately cast for this conflicted persona.Now retired, Gugino's character, Silk Spectre I adds a pleasant aroma to the entire spicy mix...very integral to the story. Whereas Spectre II (Malin Akerman) packs a fervent visual punch in her dominatrix ensemble, it is my estimation that Spectre I exudes the indelible attitude.Directed by Zach Snyder of "300" infamy, Watchmen is also a visually stunning acclamation. The kaleidoscopic contours alone make the hairs on forearms rise to attention. Mine surely did. The sound effects are superb, especially during the pugilistic scenes, of which there are many.No...I can't remember flipping a page of any comic book in my lifetime, and as long as momentous films like "The Dark Knight" and "Watchmen" continue infiltrating theatres, the thought should never come to mind. In other words, the prevailing narrative and perceptive illustrations, add so much to the integral mechanics, that a 'must-read' of Alan Moore's graphic novel may simply be considered an afterthought.