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Amongst rumors of excessive blue genitalia and a film nearly three-hours-long, I cautiously prepared myself for the worst while reaming hopeful of Zack Snyder’s latest project, “Watchmen.” The optimism was mainly because of Synder’s previous collaboration with Frank Miller in the cinematic marvel of “300”. Nonetheless, I had doubts, as Snyder’s repertoire also contains major bombs like his 2004 adaptation of George A. Romero’s zombie-flick, “Dawn of the Dead.”
Subsequently, I found myself surprisingly opinionated of his work when I left the theater at 1:30am on Thursday, and not because the movie didn’t deliver, but rather, because the movie did something that I thought impossible for films of its genre – provoke the audience’s thoughts.
Though, the film still resonated of the same notable Frank-Miller-esque touches that were present in “Sin City” and “300” such as, ultra-gruesome-violence, at-times corny dialogue and of course overdone epic sex-scenes, nevertheless, “Watchmen” also oozed with philosophical precepts such as, time, perception, god (or the absence their of), the genuine makings of a hero, creation of destruction, order from chaos, and alternate histories or dimensions.
Additionally, I was a bit surprised that despite the relatively unknown cast, the actors all gave very convincing performances that helped solidify “Watchmen” as possibly the best comic-movie adaptation to date (dare I say better than the Dark Knight series, thus far).
Malin Akerman plays Silk Specter II, the sexy, ass-kicking, love-interest of the film. Billy Crudup plays the god-like Dr. Manhattan. Matthew Goode stars as Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, the pretty-boy, brainy, hero/anti hero??? Old-school actor, Jackie Earle Haley, personifies Walter Kovacs/Rorschach, the out-of-control, psychopathic, bad-ass of the bunch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays the satirical, pessimistic, guy-you-love-to-hate, Edward Blake/The Comedian, and Patrick Wilson Daniel gives a great performance as Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II, the awkward, dorky, bruce-wayne-like, other love interest of the film.
For those audience members in search of an action-filled escape that somehow still manages to play with pop-culture references while openly making satirical comments on the existential dilemma of the post-modern human experience, “Watchmen” has it all. For those who still have doubts, play it safe, and go watch “Paul Blart Mall Cop” instead. I’m not even dissing – I’m a big fan of Kevin James’ standup and “King of Queens.”
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