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Professor Askew · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject: Who Watches the Watchmen?

I know everyone loves to refer to Watchmen as a graphic novel but I first read this great story as a lowly 12 issue comic book series back in the mid 80s and I've considered it the best graphic story-telling ever since. Without being trite, it is the Citizen Kane of comics.

I've been watching the film development for over twenty years and I can't say how excited I am it's finally being released. It has already debuted in London to mostly favorable reviews. It's been a source of controversy for the fanboys for a couple of years now. Was it a good, faithful adaptation? What was cut? What was changed? Will non-readers appreciate the slightly truncated version? Will they get it? Will it have mass appeal? The studio certainly hopes so.

The director's cut will be released in September and is supposed to clock in at around 4 hours so the fans are all set. The theatrical release runs about 2:40 so it better hold interest for the rest of the world. I'm not worried....for me.

I bought my tix for the IMAX version of the film in New York City about a week or two ago. CT doesn't really have a decent giant screen so we're making a day of it in the City.

If you're interested in complex, adult-oriented, character rich, morality tales I highly recommend this pic. Of course, if you haven't read the story you might want to do so. Before or after is completely up to you. There is also a series of motion comics taken right from the novel available on iTunes. I've watched the first four episodes and they are quite good. They really bring the 2-dimensional comic to life in a very interesting way.

For more info hit the official web site: Watchmen Official Site

And if you have any interest in the behind-the-scenes stuff (and the controversies among the fans) check out Watchmen Fan Blog.

I'm seeing it on the 7th so I'll check back in with my (and my wife's - she hasn't read it) opinions.

BladeLakem · Great Tree Member Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 514

I'm looking forward to it. I've always loved Watchmen. I read it every few years or so.

I'm keeping an open mind - I've heard there are some plot variations. But I'm not the sort of person who is bothered by that sort of thing.
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Kyven · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject:

I want the movie to be good but I'm still a little leery based on some of the changes they're making to it.

Knowing Alan Moore's disdain for Hollywood I couldn't help but laugh at this: *warning it's parodying a major scene from the end of the book*
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Daedalus · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:40 am Post subject:

janaba1 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:27 am Post subject:

Thanks, Prof Askew, for pointing to this film again (CJ did it a few weeks
ago with "his" picture lol... was a great one btw...)... Smile

Finally found the time and the leisure to dig deeper into the available
footage and the plotline/storyline through the links you've provided us with...

I must say, in general I'm not watching too many movies, but this one is
just stunning and absolutely arouses a great deal of interest to get to know
the whole story and to admire the great characters and their special role
and development and to enjoy the awesome music etc....

This film, as far as I was able to get what this could be all about, contains
and conveys so much truth and wisdom, spiritually as well as from a secular
or even political point of view... it contains maybe quite some disclosures...

As in real life there's too much violence even glorified here and there,
that's why I wouldn't play any Watchmen game, but I'd definitely love to
watch this film and look forward to your review, Prof Askew... Very Happy

CuzinJohn · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

YES! two on my favorite things in one thread... Watchmen and leasticoulddo.com.

I'm a fanboy, I've read most of the blogs, but I'm excited for this movie. I was at the New York ComicCon and saw the Watchmen screening and got a bunch of swag signed by Dave Gibbons (sqeee!). I know some stuff was 'cut' but it's my understanding that much is at least 'referenced'.

And yeah, most people are cranky about how the ending is changed... I'll try not to spoil, but i heard the best explanation from Mr. Gibbons at the Panel..
to paraphrase, he said "the 'ending' is still the same, but the 'plot device' or 'McGuffin' was changed." The literalists are pissy, but i still think this film is going to rock.
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Kyven · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:29 pm Post subject:

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Eleri · Great Tree Member Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 819

I've read it...honestly wasn't blown away by it (sorry, love). So I dunno if I'll enjoy the movie. It *looks* loverly, though
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Moiety Jean · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject:

Though I've never read it, I've enjoyed the very graphic-novel visual style of the director for the movie and I'll definitely go see it.
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Professor Askew · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject:

Reviews from the fans have been generally good. As long as the main themes remain true I think I'll be satisfied. Of course, the 4 hour Director's Cut will be what the true fans are waiting for but I have every confidence that Snyder did the best he could in the time allotted for the theater. The stylized violence comes with the territory when making a major blockbuster like this. Watchmen could easily have been made without a lot of the bells and whistles but that would hardly justify the studio's expenditure, would it? Anyway, my enthusiasm is high. I'm anxious to see my wife's reaction to the film having never read it and I look forward to a nice long conversation over tea afterward. I hope it's that thought provoking.

dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

Watchmen has always been one of my geek-blind-spots. You know one of those bits of Geekdom which somehow you manage to completely miss out on. It got to the point a month or so ago when I decided that if the fans decried the Movie as an abomination then I would read the comic before ever considering the film. However since the fans seem to be generally quite happy with the result I think I'll give it a shot. Smile

janaba1 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:43 am Post subject:

Friends, I have to admit something... lol... Cool

Since Thursday, 5th of March, you can watch the film here in
Berlin almost everywhere, even an original version is available
to admire...

Why I'm still hesitating to give it a shot is the immense potential and
amount of violence it is presenting us... Yeah, I'm watching the trailers
again and again and there are previews in the news etc... but it's quite a
difference to watch this from a distance on TV or on the computer screen,
or if you're sitting right in front of a very huge screen as close as if you
where there lol and with an additional amplification by the awesome
sounds and background music (not to mention the energies around...)... Razz

Haha... that's just me or better a small part of me, of course...

So, everybody, I can't wait to see your comments and reviews here
soon... and I'm wishing you all a lot of fun, excitement and surprises... Very Happy

janaba1 · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject:

I wonder who watched the Watchmen lol and what you all think about it now... Very Happy

CuzinJohn · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

janaba1 · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

Aww, sorry for your disappointment, CJ... haha... tries not to think about it, sweet... Very Happy

Thanks for being the forerunner... Anybody else maybe?... Razz