Zsandmann

My wife and I went to see the much anticipated Watchmen last night. Luckily I had the foresight to go at lunch and pick up tickets to the 8pm showing because upon arrival the place was packed, and ALL the evening showings were sold out!! Some people hate packed theaters but I love the crowd reaction as long as it stays reigned in enough I can hear the film.

Sitting down in my customary eighth row from the top, middle seat I began to remember the nerdom of my school days. The guys to my left were reciting the preamble to each of the Star Wars films to one another. The guys on the row in front of me were debating the plus/minuses of the upcoming Dragonball movie, and how much they hate Dragonball GT (I agree!) Suddenly I felt my level of nerd culture was inadaquate for the occasion.

Luckily, the movie then began. I have to say, every movie needs a montage scene at some point to get across the passage of time. Watchmen is no different and they get it out of the way early on in the opening credits. It is spectacular!!! If you are familiar with the graphic novel there is so much backstory packed into these opening minutes. Mainly it shows the founding of the Minutemen and what has become of them since. It begns us up to 1985, the timeframe of the main story.

Imagery: I really believe this is the best comic book adaptation ever. The imagery is bright, focused, and the coloring really sets the dark mood. The fight scenes slow down the speed so you can see each blow land. The physics of the Watchmen world is observed to be a bit surreal, with more blood and gore than you would think one person could release, but it works and you are left with a series of images in your mind that are hard to describe.

Music: 99 Luft Balloons?? Yes, and it totally fit. The period rock and roll music is a bit off kilter from the scenes they play too, but each one hits a chord and it works, this was one of the biggies for me, but it honestly enhances the mood of the scenes. Listen for Halleluhja during one of the key *** scenes from the novel, the timing couldn't be better. The audience in the theater was laughing its head off.

Overall, I oooooed and ahhhhed with everyone else in the packed theater, I even groaned during the mugging scene in the alleyway. How could you not? Basically, if you have any inkling of what the Watchmen is, you can not miss seeing this movie. If you are unfamiliar, you may have a bit of a hard time keeping up with the time jumping plot line but I think you too can get a thrill out of the art of the movie.

I'd rate Watchmen A-

(Why the minus you ask, you spoke all these good things about the movie dude? -- One thing, while I understand why, I don't particularly like the change to the ending. Simple as that.)