Director Zack Snyder (“300”) once again delivers a big-budget action blockbuster. However this time around there is much more brain to go along with the brawn in his adaptation of the widely-acclaimed graphic novel “Watchmen.”
Set in an alternate reality circa 1985 “Watchmen” features a world on the brink of nuclear annihilation with only five minutes on the doomsday clock – the world is in a miserable state. Even worse is the fact that retired superheroes are being murdered by a mysterious assassin. The thought of salvation from nuclear annihilation seems a distant hope.
As the plot unravels throughout the lengthy three-hour film the audience is captivated by a whirlwind of action gore and sex scenes. However the real excitement is not in the shallow thrills but in the complex interwoven flashbacks of the protagonists.
In these recollections the character development is magnificent – they help render the intricate humorous vulnerable and at times frightening characters. The audience gets to know the heroes on a deeper level and their motives and internal conflicts are more realistic and relatable.
The role of Rorschach for example is a multi dimensional character tortured by the memories of his brutal childhood. He also simultaneously deals with his internal commitment through retribution; he is an alarming character who is intriguing and occasionally humorous. Other complex individuals like The Comedian and Dr. Manhattan are the reason why this film succeeds so well as a character study.
Furthermore the stylistic techniques are extremely impressive. From slow-motion fight scenes to full-steamed sex scenes the movie is entrenched with beautiful creative devices.
The action scenes are entertaining as well although not as prevalent as they were in “300.” The film did feature creative and amazingly gory fight scenes but it was not the action that made the movie.
It was the complex thread of thematic materials that made this film worth watching. All of the characters face personal challenges and fight against their own nature. It raises philosophical questions about the very nature of humanity.
If evil is in the hearts of every human then superheroes are nothing more than the depravity they are trying to save. The human condition is as The Comedian says “a f-ing joke.” The film is a brutal and raw depiction of this theme most notably through the characters’ powerful flashbacks.
To a greater extent than its take on human nature the film deals with the question of justice and whether it can ever be immoral. Faced with two different arguments as to what is morally required the superheroes face pressing dilemmas on the topic of human eradication. The film is an insightful look into the thematic issues surrounding morality and the human psyche.
Although the film does drag on in some areas it is overall quite wonderful. The film is filled with all the hyped-up action of superhero movies but with the poignant depth of an intelligent drama asks the most important question of all: “What are we?”